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Buying or Adopting an English Cocker Spaniel

By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books

English Cocker Spaniel

Interested in the English Cocker Spaniel? Read each post on this page. Make sure the breed is right for you (and that YOU are right for the breed). Decide on sex and age. Then begin the exciting adventure of finding and evaluating breeders and rescue groups and selecting the right English Cocker. Don't be in a hurry!



Don't set your sights on the English Cocker Spaniel until you read my advice in these posts.

Obedience instructor and author Michele Welton Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

Purebred dogs The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

Crossbred dogs The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

Mixed breed dogs The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is an English Cocker Spaniel the right breed for you?

Obedience instructor and author Michele Welton English Cocker Spaniel Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

puppy

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You?

In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for an English Cocker Spaniel?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

  • Someone home most of the day
  • Fenced yard (not an electronic/underground fence)
  • Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Cocker Spaniel stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
  • "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, flyball, field trials); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
  • Brushing – a lot
  • Trimming/clipping – every few months
  • An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
  • A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
  • An owner with enough money to treat the health problems English Cocker Spaniels are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
  • An owner who is okay with heavy shedding
  • Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Cocker to lots of people and other animals
  • Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your English Cocker Spaniel, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Symbols for male and female Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Girl hugging a dog Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt an English Cocker Spaniel?

English Cocker Spaniels are pretty common in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, English Cocker Spaniels rank 56th. Their cousin, the American Cocker Spaniel, is even more common, ranking 29th.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
English Cocker Spaniels are available from Dog Rescue groups. English Cockers may be turned over to Rescue because they shed too much, or need more grooming, more exercise, or more companionship than the owner can provide. There may be barking issues. You would need to provide these dogs with the exercise, training, and socialization they require.

Other Cockers are given up simply because of changed family circumstances, and these dogs may have no behavior problems at all.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
English Cocker Spaniels are rarely found here, but it's possible. An English Cocker could be there, but not be recognized by shelter personnel, so might be mislabeled as an "American Cocker" or just simply "Cocker Spaniel".

Cocker rescue groups do keep their eyes peeled on shelters and humane societies across the country, and if an English Cocker Spaniel turns up at a shelter, the rescue group does try to move the dog into their rescue network.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy an English Cocker Spaniel from a show breeder, who breeds English Cockers to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring.

Or you can buy an English Cocker Spaniel from a performance breeder, who emphasizes an energetic temperament and strong working drives for hunting.

You can also buy an English Cocker Spaniel from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of an English Cocker Spaniel puppy should have:

  • a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases
  • a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips
  • a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have normal knees

Also, at least ONE PARENT of an English Cocker Spaniel puppy should have:

  • a DNA test proving they are Normal/Clear of a severe hereditary eye disease called prcd-PRA.

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your English Cocker ends up with cataracts and hip dysplasia.

Puppy in a pet shop window Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
English Cockers are sometimes found in pet shops, but much less commonly than their American cousins. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Symbols for male and female Choosing the Right English Cocker Spaniel Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of English Cocker Spaniel puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

Girl hugging a dog AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered English Cocker Spaniel puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?

Michele Welton with BuffyAbout the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.

My best-selling books – now available  FREE  on my website


book coverRespect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy is for puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Click here to read for free.
book coverTeach Your Dog 100 English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Click here to read for free.
book cover11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy helps your dog live a longer, healthier life. Get my honest advice about all 11 Things before you bring home your new puppy, because some mistakes with early health care cannot be undone. Click here to read for free.