Picture taken from www.dogbreedinfo.com
Good day and welcome everyone!
This is Sharda with another Cocker Spaniel newsletter.
There are a number of costs associated with buying and caring for a dog.
Of course there are the obvious upfront costs to purchase, but then there are the costs of feeding, housing, training, vaccinating and just as with having a child, unexpected expenses resulting from emergencies or other events.
How Much Is A Cocker Spaniel?
Purebreds
AKC purebred Cocker Spaniel puppies can run anywhere between $350 and $650 US depending on the area and market conditions. In the UK prices range from £300 to £550 and in Canada, from $400 to $750 CAD.
Those with extensive champion bloodlines can run around $1,000 US (£900, $1200 CAD) or even higher. If you want to show your dog, you will most likely have to take this route.
It sounds like a lot but you must remember that the expense is comprised of the breeder’s skill and knowledge in creating the perfect breed specimen. Buy cheap, get cheap.
Cocker Spaniel Rescue
Cocker Spaniel rescue adoptions vary widely but run on average between $175 and $250 US. These are usually small, independent, sometimes home-based organizations that specialize in homing one breed.
Their financial resources are limited and so must charge more per adoption than a large shelter, but their breed-specific knowledge base can prove useful.
Cocker Spaniel Shelters
By far, shelters are the most economical option. Because shelters or humane societies service most any animal in need, they have a broader appeal to financial supporters and volunteers, and are able to offer lower cost adoptions.
They are usually private, non-government supported charities and differ from the government animal control centres that kill animals after only a few days on site.
The average cost of a shelter Spaniel dog is between $85 and $110 US, which includes some initial vaccinations, spaying or neutering and oftentimes microchipping to identify your dog in case he’s lost or stolen.
The cost can vary from one country or region to another within the same state so if initial cash outlay is a concern, check several shelters in your area.
A Warning About Price Differences
Treat your Cocker Spaniel shopping as though you were buying your dream car. Compare the dealer, the colour, and the price, but beware of dealer options.
Some Cocker Spaniel breeders will try to overprice the pups just because they can. They may make claims that their puppies are somehow better or are more adept at field trials.
Frankly, if you’re not going in the field with your Cocker Spaniel—assuming their claim is even true—field-trained dogs don’t necessarily make good pets because they’ll want to be in the field working, not hanging around your house waiting to bark at the mailman.
On the other hand, an under-priced dog should send up the “too-good-to-be-true” flag. Perhaps the breeder is taking shortcuts and not doing due diligence with genetic testing, or is knowingly selling Cocker Spaniel puppies with a history of health or behavioural problems.
So, as with any car salesman, take everything with a grain of salt, don’t make anxious decisions and don’t stray from your game plan.
However, unlike buying a car, haggling over the price isn’t part of the buying experience. This can be an insult to the breeder, if you don’t like the price find another place to buy your dog.
Gender Pricing
Some Cocker Spaniel breeders will often price females higher than males.
The question is, why? Is the female of more value?
This makes little sense when the pups are from the same litter. The price of each Spaniel dog should be determined by the litter characteristics and quality, not individual gender.
GENERAL EXPENSES
Food
The cost of food will vary slightly depending on your particular pet’s appetite and the brand of choice. On average, you can expect to spend between $30 and $50 US per month.
The Vet
Your Cocker Spaniel will require annual immunizations and checkups. And, while you hope it won’t happen, there may be the need for emergency visits and other unexpected medical expenses.
A series of core vaccinations (rabies, parvo, distemper, adenovirus-2) will run about $124 to $140 US, or more.
Treatment at an emergency facility will run about $100 US on average, JUST FOR WALKING IN. The course of treatment will carry its own additional fees.
The AMVA recommends that these optional or “non-core” vaccinations be administered based on your dog’s individual needs: Bordatella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, Lyme Disease and Parainfluenza.
I hope that you learned a lot from today’s Cocker Spaniel newsletter
All the best and take care
Warmly,
Sharda Baker