Contents
Breed Profile: Cocker Spaniel
Where to Get a Cocker Spaniel
Gear for Your Cocker Spaniel
How to Feed Your Cocker Spaniel
How to Groom Your Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel Healthcare
How to Socialize Your Cocker Spaniel
How to Train Your Cocker Spaniel
How to Fix Cocker Spaniel Behavior Problems
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Where to Get a Cocker Spaniel
There are three main ways to get a cocker spaniel:
- Buy from a breeder.
- Adopt from a shelter.
- Adopt from a rescue group.
Breeders
Buying a cocker spaniel directly from a breeder is the most expensive option, but as long as the breeder is reputable, it’s also the best way to guarantee that the cocker you purchase will be healthy and well socialized.
Look for the following when searching for a reputable breeder:
- Focus: Breeds only one or two breeds
- Knowledge: Knows breed standards and temperaments
- Care: Keeps clean, well-maintained kennel areas, and the dogs or puppies appear healthy and happy
- Support: Offers support after you bring your dog or puppy home
- Paperwork: Provides a written contract and health guarantee; requires you to complete an application and provide references; provides records of veterinary care and shots, as well as references from other customers
- Mandatory return: Requires you to return the dog if you decide not to keep him
You can locate breeders on the internet, in breed-specific magazines, at dog shows, or in the telephone book. However, it’s often best to get a personal recommendation from friends or a vet.
Shelters
Most cities and towns have an animal shelter, humane society, or pound that takes in unwanted, lost, or abandoned pets, restores them to good health, and offers them for reasonable fees to the public. Few people intent on adopting a specific breed, such as a cocker spaniel, think of trying a shelter. But in fact it’s possible to adopt a purebred from a shelter—and often for a fraction of the price that breeders charge. If you’re set on a cocker puppy, though, keep in mind that it’s generally less likely that you’ll be able to find a puppy at a shelter.
Rescue Groups
Rescue groups are like shelters for specific breeds. Cocker spaniel rescue groups take in lost or unwanted cockers and offer them for adoption. Rescue groups are a great option for prospective dog owners who want a specific breed but also want to “rescue” a dog rather than buy one from a breeder. They typically charge a bit more than shelters but are still a great option for adopting a purebred dog.
| Text & Photos Copyright © 2007 TFH Publications, Inc. | Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
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