If you’re thinking of welcoming a Cocker Spaniel into your family, you’ll probably be wondering how much it will cost to buy and own.
This detailed guide will give you all the information you need to decide if this breed is an affordable option for you.
Cocker Spaniel prices in Australia vary quite widely for a number of different reasons, but on average, a Cocker Spaniel puppy will cost between $800 and $3,000. Some golden, pure-bred Cocker Spaniels can cost up to $8,000.
However, an English Cocker Spaniel will usually cost slightly less than an American one, and you should expect to pay around $800 to $1,600 for English Cockers.
The price of a Cocker Spaniel will vary, depending on where you buy your dog from. On average, a Cocker Spaniel puppy from a registered breeder can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000, while adopting from a rescue will usually come with a much lower price tag of between $400 and $1,200.
One important thing to look out for when buying a Cocker Spaniel is pricing that seems too good to be true. In most cases, any breeders selling Cocker Spaniels for less than $3,000 will be unregistered and this means they may be breeding without following ethical standards or screening the health of the parents or puppies properly. You should only ever buy a dog through a registered breeder or through an adoption shelter.
Cocker Spaniels sold by registered breeders (like those registered with the Australian National Kennel Council) can easily fetch prices between $3,000 and $6,000. This price will depend on things like the puppy’s pedigree, health screening, and even its coat colour, all of which we’ll look at in more detail later.
If you’re open to adopting a Cocker Spaniel from a shelter or rescue organisation, the adoption fee averages $400 to $1,200, depending on the shelter, the dogs age, health, and background. However, this adoption fee isn’t necessarily a “purchase price” and, instead, covers the cost of the dog’s vaccinations, microchipping, worming, and desexing.
One thing to keep in mind when adopting, however, is that because Cocker Spaniels are a highly sought-after breed and are recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council, they’re not very common in shelters. So, if you’re not having much luck finding one, it’s worth contacting a specialist rescue organisation like Cocker Spaniel Rescue Queensland.
As we’ve touched on above, there are certain things that will influence how much a Cocker Spaniel is priced. These include:
One of the main things that will influence the cost is whether the Cocker Spaniel comes from a high-quality bloodline. For example, puppies with a champion lineage of dogs who have won titles in shows and competitions will usually sit at the higher end of the $3,000 to $6,000 average. This is because they’ll be bred for perfect conformation, temperament, and coat quality, all of which are highly sought-after by show enthusiasts. On the other hand, Cocker Spaniel puppies bred as family pets tend to cost less because they don’t have such prestigious bloodlines.
Another thing that will determine the cost of a Cocker Spaniel puppy is whether the breeder is registered with an organisation like Dogs Australia / The Australian National Kennel Council. Registered breeders invest heavily in their breeding programs by conducting genetic testing, health screenings, and early socialisation to ensure their puppies get the best possible start in life. As a result, these breeders tend to charge more to cover the costs and puppies with a clean bill of health who are socialised and even house-trained in some cases will usually sit at the higher end of the price range.
Cocker Spaniels come in a variety of colours and markings, and some are rarer (and therefore more expensive) than others. For example, blue roan and chocolate roan Cocker Spaniel puppies are likely to be priced higher than black or liver-coated puppies because they’re rarer.
The purchase price is only one of the many things you’ll need to consider when buying a Cocker Spaniel, and there are several items you’ll need to invest in, including:
Dog crate: $80 – $200 for a medium-sized crate that can be used for training and as a secure space for your Cocker Spaniel to retreat to.
Dog bed: $50 – $150 for a soft, cushioned bed with good support for your Cocker’s joints.
Dog collar/lead: $20 – $60 for a strong, adjustable collar and lead set suitable for daily walks and training.
Feeding bowl: $15 – $50 for a non-slip stainless steel or ceramic bowl.
Dog toothbrush: $10 – $30 for a soft-bristled toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste designed to reduce the risk of dental issues.
Dog car harness: $40 – $100 for a properly fitting, crash-tested harness to keep your Cocker Spaniel safe while travelling.
Puppy treats: $10 – $30 per month for low-fat, high-protein treats for training and chews for downtime.
Puppy training pads: $15 – $40 for either disposable or washable pads to use for house training.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $20 – $50 for a hypoallergenic, deep-cleaning shampoo designed for long coats.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $40 – $90 for a set of brushes to prevent matting and clippers to keep their nails trimmed.
An adult Cocker Spaniel should weigh between 13kg and 16kg, depending on their age and sex, and they need around 250g – 450g of food per day. This means, taking the diet types below into account, you should budget to spend between $60 and $300 on dog food each month.
It is important to note here that the actual amount you’ll spend will depend on your dog’s age, their activity level, the brand you choose, and the ingredients it contains. It’s always best to consult your vet before deciding on your dog’s food plan.
Veterinary care is an ongoing cost for any dog, and Cocker Spaniels are no exception. This is what you can expect to spend throughout the course of a year:
Annual vet checkups: $90 – $150 for a full health assessment, weight check, and early identification of more serious health problems.
Vaccinations: $100 – $250 on core C5 vaccines to protect your Cocker against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and kennel cough.
Worming and parasite protection: $120 – $300 to keep fleas, ticks, heartworm, and various intestinal worms at bay.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $300 – $600 for plaque removal and potential extractions under anaesthetic.
Pet insurance: $40 – $100 per month for help cover unexpected vet bills, depending on your chosen coverage.
Cockers need regular professional grooming to keep their long, thick, wavy coats in good condition. This also comes at a cost, and you can expect to pay:
Hydrobath prices: $25 – $50 per session for a deep-cleaning bath using hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner.
Full groom prices: $80 – $150 for a wash, blow-dry, trim, ear cleaning, nail clipping and brush-out.
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $50 – $100 to help keep these dirt-prone areas clean and tidy in between full grooms.
Because Cocker Spaniels are notoriously energetic and highly intelligent, proper training is needed to make sure they behave properly and don’t develop problems like separation anxiety. Here are the average costs of this training:
Basic obedience training prices: $150 – $300 for a 6-week course focusing on essential commands, recall, and lead walking.
Puppy training class prices: $100 – $250 for a 6-week class that covers the basics, including socialisation and early learning.
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $80 – $200 per session to improve behavioural issues like excessive barking, nervousness, or aggression.
Owning a Cocker Spaniel is a long-term financial commitment, and on top of the initial purchase cost, you’ll need to budget for their ongoing care. Over their average lifespan of 12 – 15 years, these costs can rack up to thousands of dollars, so before committing to a Cocker Spaniel, make sure you take the time to think about your budget, time, and dedication to their needs. If you’re 100% confident you can meet these, you’ll be rewarded with a loyal, affectionate companion who will bring joy to your life for years to come!
As mentioned, the price of a Cocker Spaniel can vary greatly. This is because there are several factors at play in determining the price of this breed.
Cocker Spaniel puppies that come from show-quality breeding stock will be much more expensive than other dogs from different litters.
So, if you’re planning to use your Cocker in dog shows, be prepared to pay a high price for your puppy.
Owners who choose to adopt their puppy from a rescue shelter can save a lot of money on the initial costs of ownership.
Adopted Cocker Spaniels usually cost between $50 and $200, and this will also cover spaying, neutering and vaccinations, as well as the cost of having your dog registered.
The colour of your puppy’s coat will also affect its price. Some of the most popular coat colours for Cocker Spaniels are black and tan and liver roan, so puppies with these colourings may be more in demand than others.
When buying a Cocker Spaniel, if you’re not looking to adopt, then it’s vital to always choose a registered and reputable breeder. This way, you can prevent buying a puppy with a predisposition to certain diseases, and you won’t support puppy mills, which can be highly unethical.
Here are some things to look at when choosing a suitable Cocker Spaniel breeder.
Reputable Cocker Spaniel breeders will allow you to meet your puppy’s parent dogs before you decide whether or not to buy your puppy from them. This is so that you can assess what possible family traits your Cocker will inherit.
Puppy mills won’t allow you to meet the parent dogs and may not have even met them themselves.
A reputable breeder will usually only be selling one breed, whereas puppy mills will usually have several different breeds available.
Kennels that are breeding their Cocker Spaniels responsibly will ensure that all of their puppies are fully vaccinated before they’re given to their new owners and will have the documents to prove it.
Puppy mills won’t vaccinate their Cocker Spaniels to save on costs.
Cocker Spaniels should be at least eight weeks old when they’re handed over to a new owner, and reputable kennels will allow you to request photos of your puppy as it ages.
Puppy mills will often try and get rid of puppies when they’re younger than this to save on the costs of food.
Reputable breeders have a good reputation, and their Cockers will be in high demand. This means they will usually only have one litter ready at any time or will be waiting for one to arrive.
Puppy mills tend to have lots of Cockers ready to sell at all times, and they’ll often be cramped up in a small kennel.
The fun of owning a Cocker Spaniel never seems to end, and unfortunately, just as with other dogs, the bills never stop, either. Here are some of the costs you can expect to pay for owning a Cocker Spaniel.
The prices of high-quality dog food vary widely, and one bag can cost between $15 and $100. If your dog has been prescribed specialist food, the price will be higher than regular food.
Taking out pet insurance is a good way to reduce the costs of keeping your dog healthy. A routine visit to the vet can cost around $150, and monthly tick and flea treatments are usually around $30.
Aside from buying the necessary tools, grooming your Cocker Spaniel doesn’t need to cost you anything, as you can do it at home.
However, if you decide to take your Cocker to a professional groomer, this will usually cost around $60 per visit.
The Cocker Spaniel is an affectionate and friendly dog with a charming personality that makes a great addition to any family. The cost of buying and owning one may not be cheap, but this lovable breed is worth every penny.
Buying and owning a Cocker Spaniel can be fairly expensive, but the joy you experience during your life together will certainly make it worth it.
To make sure you get a happy puppy that will live a long life, make sure that you buy it from a small and selective kennel or adopt it from a rescue shelter, and don’t ever be tempted to use a puppy mill.
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