So you want to adopt a cocker spaniel…

 

Cocker spaniels are a wonderful breed, but like any breed, they’re not the right dogs for everyone. The AKC breed standard describes their personality as free and merry, and they make wonderful companions. With those adorable faces with long, flowing ears and that little nub which never stops wagging, who could resist a cocker spaniel?

 

The reality, though, is that many people should resist adopting from rescue or purchasing a cocker spaniel from a breeder. Some people mistakenly believe that a cocker spaniel is a low-maintenance dog. In reality, their coats require brushing at least weekly, if not more often, and they need to be groomed every 8 – 10 weeks. If done by a professional groomer, this will cost the cocker spaniel parent several hundred dollars per year. Grooming can be done at home by the owner, but this task can be daunting if your cocker spaniel is particularly wiggly.

 

In addition to regular, periodic grooming, a cocker spaniel’s ears should be cleaned weekly to prevent infections especially in the warm summer months. This is an easy process which takes just a few minutes of your time. It’s an extremely important process though – failure to keep a cocker’s ears clean can result in severe pain and even deafness for the dog.

 

Having a cocker spaniel isn’t all work though. These wigglebutts provide years of joy and unlimited affection for their families. Their personalities and activity levels vary, so whether you are a couch potato looking for a lap dog to cuddle with or an avid runner who wants a companion for exercise or anywhere in between, there’s a cocker spaniel out there waiting to be your loyal companion.

Click here to see what the AKC has to say about cocker spaniels