Emma, our field bred English cocker spaniel came from the Edmonton area. That’s a long way from here – about 1400 kms. She is three years old now and has a brother, Gus (from a new litter – same parents), living in town. Gus came for a visit the other day. We kept Emma outside for this visit. It was Gus’s special time.
The bowl of walnuts and hazelnuts that was on the coffee table was the first thing to be investigated. Bowls seem to have special meaning to both Emma and Gus.
One leap onto the table and the nuts were all over the floor. I had to laugh because it brought back so many memories of puppy fiascoes that I had to deal with when Emma was Gus’s age. Everything had to be explored and there were still many rules that needed to be tested.
Like Emma, Gus is energetic, playful, and loving. He showed us how smart he is by lying down and waiting for the treat he knew was coming. A little piece of cheese makes a great reward for good behaviour. 
Notice the big mitts on him? Proof that he is Emma’s brother. She has the same big paws. In the photo of Emma (below) her head looks big because of the way I had the camera right in her face. In this picture she is the same age as Gus is now.
Here she is several months older, but she still has some growing time ahead. Her ears are not yet covered in long curls and the tail doesn’t have all the “feathers” that will make it look like a flag waving.
We loved meeting Gus, and recognized so many behaviours and physical traits that were so much like Emma’s. Their parents both have pedigrees a mile long, loaded with Field Trial Champions, and these puppies have the best of their genes. Sweet and loving and very smart. Can you tell I’m over the moon about them?
Just a little bit in love, eh? Gus is cute, but I’m partial to Emma and like her coloring better.
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The colour is a personal preference I guess. We had never had a black dog before and I didn’t think I’d like it, but of course I love Emma.
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Great post!! Did they meet each other? Such beautiful dogs, in the 90’s I had a female English Cocker. We miss her still.
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We put our dogs in the kennel outside so Gus wouldn’t feel overwhelmed but they saw each other outside as they were leaving. Emma was a bit upset. She thought she’d been replaced. 😉
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Awwww. Nice that they met though, leaves you wondering if they actually knew who each other are? They are both beautiful dogs!!
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Maybe if they’d been from the same litter (time-wise), but they’re three years apart. Would be interesting though, to know what their noses tell them.
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They’re both darling. I’m not so much a dog person — at least, I’m not one who should have a dog, because of the time and attention they take. But if I were to have a dog, one like this would be wonderful.
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If you ever got one of these dogs, you’d want a dozen (and a person to look after them all).
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What a treat! Good looks obviously run in that family.
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The breeder is very particular. I think he found a good set of parents.
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Such sweet looking dogs!
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And they are! They have lovely dispositions.
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Emma from Edmonton. How did you find her so far away?
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Word of mouth by talking to dog people who are into field trials and upland bird hunting. The breeder has an excellent reputation and we got our springer from him too (ten years ago).
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Beautiful dogs, btw…
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TNX. Glad you like them.
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Love those freckles on Gus , what an adorable face. Did Emma and Ruby entertain well?
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We kept ours in the kennel during the visit because Gus is quite a bit smaller than they are and we didn’t want it to be a “top dog circus.” Just wanted to get to know Gus for now. Maybe on another visit….
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Beautiful pups, both of them.
If I could, I would have 20 of them 🙂
Cheers !
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Haha. That was my first thought too. But then reality sets in and I think of all the bowls of dogfood and walking so many dogs. It’s a nice thought though to cuddle them all.
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Oh my. Gus is like the negative composite of Emma. One is black with some white areas, the other white with some black areas. Very, very adorable. Thanks for sharing Gus. I love me some furry four-legged canines. 🙂
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There’s quite a colour range available but the talent and loving disposition are very similar.
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They are beautiful dogs!
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I could have a whole houseful of them. Well, maybe not really, but I do love them a lot.
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Emma and Gus are both sweeties. Poor Ruby must have felt a bit left out. I love both your pups. You guys have done a great job with training both of them.
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Ruby was with Emma in the kennel. They had each other. But you should have heard Emma’s panic when she saw me saying goodbye to Gus . I think she thought she’d been replaced. I could hear her yelling at me, “Don’t go with him. Take me!”
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You know that I am a dog lover. Gus is as pretty as Emma (and Ruby too!). But Emma is my little big princess.
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That’s so true. Puppies are always lovable.
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Aw…so adorable!
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Aren’t they? I love puppies.
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And I’m over the moon as I look at your photos, listen to you rhapsodize over Gus and Emma. They remind me of our golden Henry. He’s been gone 3 years (can’t believe it) and we miss him still very much. We still know his breeder, who lives in a home in the middle of the nowhere woods in NE. Every once in a while we dream of getting Henry’s great great great grandson and bringing him home. :-0
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They tie you down – no doubt about that – but they make up for that inconvenience just by being who they are.
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Such gorgeous looking dogs
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Thanks, Raili. You should have seen Gus jump onto the coffee table within seconds of being in the house. Puppies!! But his owner was right there making sure he didn’t get into any more mischief. He’s such a sweet pup.
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It’s like having a baby or a toddler in the house !
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Exactly!!!!
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Love those field bred English Cockers! I thought about getting one for myself, but decided I am a setter person, so I went with a Llewellyn Setter. I grew up with setters. Love this post!
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Setters are very sweet too. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Avery.
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We enjoyed our visit although I thought we might need to leave quickly when the nuts went flying! Meeting Emma earlier in the year helped me to make my decision to have Gus and I sure don’t regret it! Hopefully next time Gus visits the house manners will be firmly in place :))
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We were thrilled to meet Gus and the flying nutbowl was nothing at all in a day in the life of a puppy. Emma did some horrendous things when she was a puppy, but she turned out fine. I saw that Gus had great control in spite of his high energy. He’ll be a fine dog.
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Emma has the dearest face.
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Thanks, Lynne. We love her.
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Gus ist wirklich süß. Und Emma ist mindestens genauso süß. Vielleicht sogar noch süßer. 🙂 ❤
Diese Ähnlichkeiten im Verhalten bei Geschwistern kenne ich bei Felix' auch. 🙂
Das ist so süß.
Liebe Grüße,
Martina
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I agree, Martina. Gus is really sweet. He has a great personality, and you’re so right about the similarities between brother and sister.
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SOOOOO adorable. Didn’t they get to play together?
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Not this time, but next time they will for sure.
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oh my goodness! Gus is such a lovely boy; and Emma… hmm your photos are knockout of her. irresistible is the word! great post that leaves me smiling! thanks! cheers, Debi 🙂
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They’re really lots of fun. Most dogs are, when they’re puppies, but the English cockers are fun even when they’re grown up. Glad you enjoyed the post, Debi.
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fun and Beautiful 🙂
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What a great story! Both are so cute, really beautiful dogs with great personalities. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Cecilia. They’re a wonderful breed and these two have very happy dispositions.
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They are adorable!
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Thanks Michelle. So good to “meet you.”
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Such beautiful dogs!
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Come over and pet them any time. I’ll put the kettle on.
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Both dogs are beautiful…yes. I understand about being “over the moon”. I feel that way about my Ginny!
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That’s how it should be! If you have pets you should love them, or don’t have them. So glad to hear you have a pet you love.
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The sister and brother dogs are so cute, like the reverse of each other’s colors, Anneli. I love how you are so proud of Emma and amused about Gus. Gus has such a cute pair of soft, white fluffy ears! 🙂
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They are a wonderful breed of dogs and we love them.
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They are adorable and cuddly looking. I believe you when you say this about this breed, Anneli. You would not say they are wonderful if they weren’t! We’re friends and wish I knew someone closer than you are to get to play with them. 🙂
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You would love it, I’m sure!
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