Has anybody on here ever trained a Cocker spaniel to retrieve? If so how are they with water? Thought it would be pretty cool to have a small retriever.

I know I have seen them retreive quail and dove on youtube videos, but I would think they would be slow and not too strong a swimmer for waterfowl...

I have two english cockers. One, is a year old, the other was whelped in December. Both are natural retrievers. They constantly carry things in their mouths. I've got 1/2 my caliche drive moved over into my yard because of those little devils.
As far as being waterfowl retrievers, I couldn't tell you. Mine are quail and dove dogs. I can say without reservation that they will not hesitate to hit the water to retrieve a bird.

It's just so hot during dove season for such a hairy dog, I would be afraid of them over heating.

I hunt a britt not a cocker but. Hunt near water or carry alot with you and you'll be good. My britts picking up water fowl only problem is there mouths are to small for some of the bigger ducks.

Give em a sheering and plenty of water no problem.

Also may want to check out a Boykin Spaniel. Since you sound like you are focussed on retreiving, why not get a spaniel that has been bred for it.

I sheer her when it starts getting warm and use her hair in my catfish bait in lou of cattails

Good luck finding a Boykin. I been lookin to rescue one and all the places I seen don't breed to often ( at least not like labs)

Thanks guys, I'll keep all this in mind in the future when I'm ready for another.

the Brittnay I have loves water as much or more than most labs, but like mentioned mouth is small for the biggest ducks

My britts a swimming fool the farther from the bank he get the happier he is he will dive right off a dock head first.

I have a Boykin that's primarily a waterfowl dog. If your dog has enough desire to make a solid retriever and it is big enough to do the job then go for it. Train it just like you would a lab. I would get some big fat Mallards and make sure it's mouth will be big enough to pick up the birds. My Boykin has no problem with big ducks and has even retrieved a few huge Geese.