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Cracker - SRF156
Name: Cracker
Colour: Red
Breed: Working Cocker Spaniel
Sex: Male
Age: 4 years (DOB 17.12.21)
Weight: 13.9kg
Neutered: Yes
Dogs: Yes — with a calm, older dog
Cats: No (not tested)
Children: 16+
Current Location: Market Rasen, Lincolnshire
Adoption Fee: £400
Summary
Cracker is a gorgeous, gentle, fun‑loving boy who has come into rescue from a very loving family whose circumstances sadly changed. He has been adored since puppyhood and was part of a busy, active household.
In foster he has been affectionate, bright and keen to learn, and he is happiest when life is calm, predictable and he has plenty of space to relax. He enjoys affection and cuddles, but on his terms - he likes to choose when to come over and when to settle independently. As soon as he feels safe and understood, he is such a loving boy.
Cracker is a typical working cocker: energetic, clever and sensitive He needs plenty of exercise, enrichment and consistent positive guidance
Ideal Home
Cracker needs a calm home with adults or older teenagers who understand consent‑based interaction and will let him choose when he wants attention. He would benefit from living with a steady, older dog who can give him confidence, but he would also be perfectly happy as an only dog.
His ideal adopters will enjoy long walks where he can be off lead, enrichment and positive‑reinforcement training, and will advocate for him when meeting new people by giving him space. A peaceful home without young children or cats will suit him best.
Energy & Exercise
Cracker loves his off‑lead walks and has excellent recall, especially to the whistle. He enjoys long, sniffy adventures and previously did canicross‑style running. He currently has two one‑hour off‑lead walks a day and will settle after as long as the rest of the home settles at the same time.
He does pull on the lead, especially at the start of a walk, so adopters should be ready to continue gentle training.
Training
Cracker is bright, food‑motivated and enjoys learning. He responds well to clear boundaries and calm, force free handling. His recall is excellent and he has a great foundation for further training.
Behaviours
Cracker is a sensitive boy who can feel overwhelmed in busy or unfamiliar environments. When he first arrived in foster he needed plenty of space and quiet time, and once this was respected he relaxed quickly and showed his affectionate, happy nature.
In situations where he felt overstimulated and didn’t have enough space, he became stressed and snapped — this was a response to pressure rather than aggression. He also displayed some guarding behaviour. In his current calm foster home, with four steady spaniels and clear routines, he has shown none of these behaviours. He has decompressed beautifully and has not displayed guarding, snapping or defensive behaviour.
Cracker enjoys cuddles but also values independence. He prefers people to let him approach first and to pause stroking as soon as he moves away. He communicates clearly and thrives when people listen to those signals.
He may growl if something is painful or uncomfortable (e.g., post‑neuter care) and responds well when people stop and give him space.
Meeting New People
Cracker is comfortable meeting new people when given space and not crowded. He prefers to approach in his own time but has shown no aggression when meeting people. Adopters will need to advocate for him and avoid over‑enthusiastic petting.
Children
Cracker can be playfully mouthy and, when excited, may try to climb up people for an enthusiastic “kiss.” It’s affectionate and fun, but he can become over‑excited quickly. Although he has lived with younger children, busy or lively environments can be too stimulating for him. He will be happiest in a calm home with older teenagers (16+) who understand his need for space, steady interaction and letting him choose when he wants attention.
Dogs
Cracker struggled briefly with a very young, energetic dog in his first foster home, likely due to stress and the dynamics with the resident dog. In his current foster home he has lived happily with four calm, older spaniels and has been excellent with every dog he has met - friendly, polite and quick to settle after initial excitement.
He gives large dogs a wide berth due to being bitten as a puppy, but doesn’t react negatively.
Cats
Not tested - therefore no to cats.
Home Alone
Cracker coped with being left in his original home, settling after some initial stress and panting and showed no destructive behaviour. He has been left for short periods with the other dogs in his current foster home and has been ok.
In a new home, adopters should build up alone time gradually to support his confidence, especially if he is the only dog.
Medical History
Cracker has no medical issues. He has one extra tooth in his lower jaw; our vet is happy for it to be monitored.
Travelling
Cracker travels extremely well, remaining settled and happy in the boot or back seat. He enjoys a breeze through the window if given the chance.
Handling & Grooming
Cracker is comfortable being handled and enjoys gentle reassurance. He may communicate discomfort if something is sore (e.g., post‑neuter care) and responds well when people listen and give him space.
Food
Cracker currently eats Wellness Core twice a day in a slow feeder. He loves his food, enjoys a variety of treats (carrots are a favourite) and has a slightly sensitive stomach, so benefits from sticking to his kibble.
Sleeping
Cracker slept independently in his original home. In foster he has been sleeping on the bed to help him settle, resting calmly at the end. During the day he likes sleeping on dog beds or on the sofa.
