What does a Cocker Spaniel cost?

Have you decided to add a Cocker Spaniel puppy to your household? These adorable dogs make gentle and loving companions. Their silky ears and sweet faces make them one of America’s most popular dog breeds. Their size is perfect for a family with small kids that want a dog to play with or someone who lives in an apartment and may not have access to a lot of space.

The average cost of a Cocker Spaniel puppy can run anywhere from $200 to $3000, depending on a few different factors.

Let’s examine the price breakdown for this breed.

What does a Cocker Spaniel cost?

The cost of a Cocker Spaniel puppy will range anywhere from $800 to $2000 if you are buying from a breeder. Pedigreed puppies can cost as much as $3000. Adopting a Cocker from a rescue can range from $200 to $350, depending on the age of the dog. Classified ads often advertise Cocker pups for as little as $300.

How much is a Cocker Spaniel?

You’ll find that pedigree breeders, rescues, and private sellers will charge different amounts for their puppies, usually with good reason. With reputable breeders, you can trust that time, care, and dedication have gone into the process, with the health of the pups being the primary concern. Rescues look to recoup the money they put into the dog’s veterinary and daily care, along with some money to put towards other dogs’ needs. Private sellers, usually through classified ads, want to make money by selling puppies. The prices can fluctuate based on where you’d prefer to purchase your puppy.

Getting a puppy from Craigslist

Craiglist may seem like an easy option to get a Cocker Spaniel puppy fast and cheap, but this does not come without risks. The parents of these puppies are often family pets that either “accidentally” had puppies or they’re being used to create puppies to sell to generate income for the owner(s). There is no guarantee the Cocker Spaniels will be purebred, healthy, or cared for before you hand over your money for the cutest one in the litter. Cockers are already predisposed to certain health problems, such as:

Allergies
Itchy skin conditions and infections
Hip dysplasia
Ear infections
Inherited genetic conditions

When puppies are created without proper responsibility to ensure these conditions will be mitigated, the problems could be worse. This means your cheap puppy will cost you more in the future in veterinary care, medications, and special shampoos.

Getting a puppy from a rescue

Rescues charge an adoption fee for their dogs, and this amount varies depending on the age and health of the puppy. If you’re looking to adopt a very young pup, the fee will be higher. Older dogs are less expensive, and senior dogs can sometimes have a reduced or waived fee. When you choose to rescue your puppy, this means the rescue had to provide the puppy with all of the introductory veterinary care, including vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and deworming. It may seem like a lot, but that fee covers all of those services and helps the rescue recoup the money it needs to continue to rescue animals. It also means you’re not taking multiple trips to a vet for puppy shots and surgery appointments. No matter how much the adoption fee is, it will always be less than an itemized list from a vet for your new puppy.

Getting a puppy from a breeder

An AKC registered Cocker Spaniel puppy will cost anywhere between $800 and $3000. The price may be a bit higher than classified ads or rescues, but it’s due to the care that has gone into the breeding. Dogs are genetically tested and bred to ensure that health problems typically associated with Cockers are less likely to occur. Breeders are pairing dogs to preserve the breed standard, not make a quick dollar. Puppies usually leave the breeder having had their first shots and deworming doses. It’s up to you to finish the rest of the veterinary responsibilities. It might seem costly, especially on top of the initial puppy price. However, it is the best way to guarantee you’re getting a healthy and happy puppy.

Annual costs of owning a Cocker Spaniel

Vet expenses

Annual checkups and routine vaccinations are part of the veterinary costs associated with Cocker Spaniels, but their health issues will need treatment, too. Hip dysplasia is determined with an x-ray, which can be $200-$400. Skin conditions require skin scrapings in order to get a correct diagnosis, which can cost upwards of $300. Eye and ear infections are treated with medication which can be $20-$200. Finally, emergencies and specialists for specific illnesses (like cancer) can cost thousands.

Grooming costs

A Cocker Spaniel is a dog that will require regular grooming to stay healthy and clean. Their coat can quickly become overgrown, needing to be trimmed and maintained. Nails require clipping so they don’t become long enough to cause paw injuries. Those long, silky ears should be regularly cleaned out and trimmed to avoid infections. The cost of a typical grooming appointment will cost between $30-$75, which includes these services.

Food and toy costs

While a Cocker Spaniel is not a large dog, the price of the food depends on the quality rather than the amount. Puppies require more food than an adult dog, especially for the first six months of life. On average, a 30lb bag of dry dog food that lasts a month can cost $35-$150, depending on the quality and brand.

With so many different toys out there for dogs, choosing the right ones for your Cocker pup can be difficult. Cheaper toys may be inexpensive, but if your dog is a chewer, they may not last very long. Stronger, more durable toys are pricier, but made to last. Average dog toys mostly start around $4 and can run as high as $25-30.

Price considerations

Before you consider bringing a puppy into your home, think about your budget and if you can afford everything you need to provide it a comfortable and happy life. Food, toys, treats, and accessories can usually be easily acquired.

The vet costs and emergencies, however, can be unexpected costs that unfortunately result in many dogs being turned over to rescue in the first place. Their owners couldn’t – or wouldn’t – afford the cost of their care. This is why careful consideration is important before making the decision to bring any new dog into your home.

The bottom line

Cocker Spaniels are one of the most expensive dog breeds to care for. Expect to pay around $3000 if you purchase your pup from a responsible breeder. This sounds pricey, but you will greatly reduce your chances of having costly or unexpected vet bills down the road due to genetic health problems.

While the cheapest option may still be the classifieds, or someone you know who knows someone whose aunt has a Cocker Spaniel that had puppies, that is never the best idea. The puppies often lack proper health care and socialization. This can lead to many problems down the line, including being stuck with an aggressive or chronically ill dog.

Rescue puppies have an adoption fee that is a little cheaper and includes all of the vet care the puppy needs at the start of its life. This option, while financially attractive, also doesn’t guarantee the health of the dog in the long term. Vet costs can become costly down the line if your dog starts showing signs of illness related to chronic Cocker Spaniel health issues.