I am about to get a puppy next month.  It is a cocker spaniel.  I was
wondering if anyone has any stories, good or bad, to tell about how this
breed of dog gets along with their furries and vice versa.  For that
matter, how a newly introduced puppy gets along with their ferrets in
general although I am mostly intersted in the cocker spaniel
relationship.
 
My ferret, Bandy, has been queen of the hill for three years now.  A
puppy will be her first experience at interacting with another animal.
 
I have learned that the cocker spaniel breed is inherently a hunting
dog.  I have read that one should be cautious when left alone with
hamsters or birds because of this fact.
 
Since it will be a puppy, I'm hoping, over time, it will learn be
friends with Bandy and be the playmate she's always wanted.  I'm still
cautious though since Bandy isn't familiar with other animals and I'm
not familiar with cocker spaniels.  I can see it now.  A puppy with its
long floppy ears walking around with a ferret earring. :-)
 
        Rob,
        aka "Puppy power vs Ferret Fundom!"
 
BTW: It was a compromise between me and my SO to get a puppy rather than
another ferret.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0886]