Cocker Spaniels make excellent companions, but choosing and caring for a Cocker Spaniel requires a good sense of discernment, knowledge and responsibility. In this blog post we are going to share some ideas on how to choose your next best friend, the lovable Cocker Spaniel. We are assuming you are looking at the puppies before they are quite ready to move to your home and heart.
What to Look for in Cocker Spaniels
Questions to Ask Regarding Their Living Area
- Is their sleeping quarters large enough? The puppies shouldn’t be cramped. They may well choose to huddle together to sleep, but there should be enough space for them to move away and sleep alone, should they wish.
- Is the area poop free and clean?
- Does it smell bad?
- Does each pup have his own blanket and is the bedding clean?
- Are there bowls of clean water available?
Watch the pups while they play and look for the following
- Do they look well fed? Are they nice and plump?
- Are their coats smooth and glossy?
- Do they seem happy?
- Are the puppies curious, lively and energetic?
- Are they confident with their litter mate?
- Are they happy being handled by people?
Check the Mother
It’s also important to look at the mother when choosing a puppy. Ask yourself the following:
- Does she look healthy?
- Is her coat in good condition?
- What’s her temperament like? Is she confident and friendly?
Although the mother may be protective toward her pups, she shouldn’t be aggressive. On the other hand, she shouldn’t be timid and shy away from you. Her coat may not look its best right now, but it shouldn’t be matted or dirty. There should be no signs of neglect. Ask the breeder how often the mother has given birth to a litter of pups and the health of those pups.
If you’re not happy with what you see, or you’re in doubt about the pup’s health or their environment, don’t go any further. Thank the breeder for their time and leave. Saying no now will save you a lot of headache later.
Check for Health
If you like what you see after you’ve answered these initial questions, check each puppy to make sure they’re all healthy. Pick up the puppy and perform a close check for the following:
- Check eyes for discharge. They should be clear and shining, not runny.
- Check their ears. Are they clear? Give them a quick sniff. Do they smell? If they smell bad, it may be a sign of bacteria or infection.
- Check the tummy button for lumps. Make sure the pup doesn’t have an umbilical hernia.
- Check the pup’s mouth and teeth. When choosing your puppy, you need to be sure that it has the correct bite. The upper teeth should close over the bottom teeth.
In our next blog post we will go into more detail about the adoption process and how to bond with your Cocker Spaniel. If this is a replacement dog for one that you have lost, perhaps you need to give yourself time to grieve the loss of your best friend. Please remember that Judy H. Wright is an Intuitive Pet Grief Coach and can guide you through the grieving process.
If you would like more information about this and other services, please use the “contact us” form or call Judy. We offer many options and packages to support and strengthen the human-animal bond.