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.
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.
Welcome to Pets Online, a team of pet parents, animal lovers and veterinarians devoted to providing you with everything you need to know about pets.