I've had 4 cockers, just ordinary, not bred for hunting, yet they still had an incredible instinct for it. As puppies they ranged a field as if we'd taught them. Most would retrieve by the time they were two months old. One found a hurt bird in our yard and brought it to us, putting it gently in my lap. Its feathers weren't even ruffled. A true soft-mouth.
As long as the water isn't too cold or "Big", Field Cockers work great on ducks. Especially walking along waterways upland hunting where a duck might get jumped. These little guys are all heart.
I have one, with no training, she ate all the flies, she liked to hunt rats and birds, unfortunately the birds that landed in our garden was killed by her. Amazing dog, beautiful and calm.
