Sharon's Cocker Spaniels -

I wish someone would tell me
What it is that I did wrong
Why I have to stay chained up
And left alone so long.
They seemed so glad to have me
When I came here as a pup,
There were so many things we'd do
While I was growing up.
They couldn't wait to train me
As companion and as friend,
They told me they would never fear
Being left alone again.
The children said they'd feed me
Said they'd brush me everyday,
They'd play with me and walk me
If I could only stay.
But now the family hasn't time
They often say I shed,
They won't allow me in the house,
Not even to be fed.
The children never walk me,
They always say, "Not now".
I wish that I could please them
Won't someone tell me how?
All I have is love, you see,
I wish they would explain,
Why they said they wanted me,

I didn't put this poem in here to make you sad. I put it here to make you think. A Puppy is a lifetime commitment and Ownership should not be entered into lightly. Think it through before you get a puppy. Ask yourself questions and be honest. The most important question to ask is, can you commit to taking care of a dog for the next 15 or so years? that's feeding, house training, bathing, brushing, Vet bills, taking time out to play with the dog. And make the dog part of the family. Not just tie it to a tree and leave it for days on end with no companionship. The Cocker Spaniel is a highly energetic animal and loves to run. So you will need to have a fenced in yard, or take long walks everyday. Also the cocker's coat will need to be cared for.

There may be health problems to deal with as well as spay / neuter decisions to make. And if you decide not to spay or neuter then you haft to consider the heat cycles of the female, and roaming traits for the UN-neutered male. And of course the unexpected pregnancy of your dog, or even worse, the neighbors champion bred female and I bet it wont be a cocker spaniel. So there are a lot of things to think about before you buy a puppy. So be fair to the Cocker and yourself and Please think it through before you buy a new puppy. Then contact me if you decide that the cocker spaniel is the dog for you. Or contact me if you have any questions about taking care of the cocker spaniel. You can also visit some of the links below for more information about the Cocker Spaniel.

Thank you

Health and Care Issues

Coat care

The Cocker Spaniel is blessed with a beautiful coat of long flowing hair that requires a great deal of attention. If neglected it can become tangled and knotted. Cocker Spaniels must be brushed and combed thoroughly on a regular basis to keep free of tangles, You will find that cockers love this attention and they learn to expect this. I even have a few that will bring me their brush when they want groomed. You will also need to bath your dog as often as once every 2 weeks. use a shampoo that is formulated for long coats and a good conditioner. If you don't have the time to shampoo and brush your dog, than you may want to try getting it trimmed short. I have most of my dogs trimmed short. It's just easier to care for them that way.

Nail care

You will need to trim your dogs nails at least every 4-6 weeks. Maybe even sooner depending on the rate of growth for your dog. If you have hard wood floors you will want to keep them cut pretty short. You can learn to do this yourself or take him to the Veterinarians office and have the Vet tech do it for you for about $8.00. Most Puppies don't like this, but practice makes perfect. They will become accustom to having it done and will stand for you.

Teeth care

There is nothing worse than doggie breath. I recommend using greenies and a good dog biscuit. You will need to have his teeth professionally cleaned at the vets office at least once a year. You can also brush his teeth yourself, but this needs to be started at an early age to make it easier on both of you.

Feeding

I recommend using Purina brand dog and puppy food. You may want to consult you veterinarian about what food is right for your pooch. Steer clear of feeding from the table, and junk food. this is not good for the little guy and could upset his belly. It will also make him not want his dog food. You also need to be on a feeding schedule or offer free choice.

Exercise

The cocker spaniel is a highly energetic animal and loves to run and play. They need a fenced in back yard to play, However they do very well in an apartment with adequate exercise. Daily walks is highly recommended and would be good for everyone's health.

Ear Care

Ear infections are a fairly common problem with dogs and can be quite painful if not detected early and taken care of. Cocker spaniels require regular ear maintenance. Their long floppy ears restrict air flow. Good air circulation in the ear is necessary to prevent ear infections, eliminating the moist environment in which bacteria thrive.

If your dog seems to have something wrong with his ears which causes him to scratch at them or shake his head, cautiously explore the ear with a cotton swab. An accumulation of wax will probably work itself out. Dirt, dried blood or foul smelling ears are indications of infection or ear mites and should be treated immediately.

Your cocker spaniel will benefit from routine and frequent ear cleaning. A mixture of 1/2 peroxide and 1/2 alcohol can be used, or purchase a good cleansing solution from your veterinarian. Regular ear cleaning will soften and remove dead tissue, debris and wax.

The best way to clean ears is to use a paper towel wrapped around a finger. Using cotton swabs to clean the ears could result in damage if you probe too deeply into the ear. Cotton balls may be placed into the ear while bathing to keep ears dry.

The typical cocker cut is of much benefit for the cocker's ears. The top 1/3 of the ears are trimmed close, as well as the inside of the ears and neck covered by the ears. This cut will give the dog great air flow to its ears and allow the long, floppy ear look that cockers are known for.

Any time your dog visits the veterinarian, ask them to check its ears. An otoscope, a lighted, hand-held tool, will be used. This tool magnifies the ear canal. It can be purchased from pet supply catalogs and operates on two AAA batteries.If ears are not properly taken care of, enough scar tissue will form. This may result in surgery or loss of hearing. Routine ear care will help prevent problems and also detect problems before they become serious.

Flea's

All dogs get flea's. I recomend using Advantage once a month spot on. You can also treat bedding, toys with adams flea and tick spray. works great. However you may want to consult you veterinarian about what product would work best for your dog. Also Borax in the carpet. (regular Muleteam Borax)You just sprinkle it on
(brush it around with a broom) and vac it up. do this about 2-3x a year.

Health Problems

Due to the over breeding and neglect by puppy mills and the back yard breeder over the years the cocker spaniel has developed some health problems that you should be aware of. Most of these problems can be corrected with a simple operation, however steer clear of the behavioral issues.

Cherry Eye

PROLAPSED GLAND OF THE THIRD EYELID (Cherry Eye):

When the tear gland of the third eyelid pops out of position, it protrudes from behind the eyelid as a reddish mass. This prolapsed tear gland condition is commonly referred to as "cherry eye". The problem is seen primarily in young dogs, including the Cocker Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Shih-Tzu, Poodle, Beagle, and Bulldog. It's also seen sometimes in certain cat breeds including the Burmese.

Despite its appearance, cherry eye itself is not a painful condition. However, the longer the tear gland is exposed, the more likely it will come irritated and inflamed. If the patient rubs at the eye, it could cause the gland to bleed or become infected. Furthermore, the function of the tear gland could become compromised if the gland is exposed for long periods of time.

To correct cherry eye, surgical REPLACEMENT of the gland is necessary. This treatment is superior to a somewhat older technique of surgically REMOVING the gland. The gland of the third eyelid plays an important role in maintaining normal tear production. We now know that dogs who have had the tear gland removed are predisposed to developing Dry Eye Syndrome later in life. Dry Eye Syndrome is uncomfortable for the patient, and requires the owner to administer topical medications several times a day for the remainder of the patient's life. To avoid this condition, it is preferable to tuck the tear gland back inside the third eyelid, where it can continue to function normally.

The procedures use to correct cherry eye by ophthalmologists vary depending on surgeon preference but a common procedure is called a "pocket technique". Although the gland cannot be put back into its original position in the third eyelid, a new pocket is made near the original position. The tear gland is tucked inside the pocket and the pocket is sutured closed.

Agressive behavior

there is no correcting this issue. I don't care what anyone says. If you see that the Mother or Father is agressive than don't buy the Pup because you will be buying trouble. The Cocker Spaniel is a friendly happy dog, This agressive behavior is due to the back yard breeders and puppy mills neglect over the years. And anyone breeding such dog's is not a respectable breeder.

Ear Problems,Skin conditions,Tumors ,Eye / Vision Problems,

There are several health conditions that the Cocker Spaniel may suffer from. Some are due to poor breeding standards, Other are not related to any spacific breed at all, but may affect the Cocker Spaniel at some point in his life. For more information on health issues please contact me or your Vet.

Before you Buy

There are a few things you should do before you decide to buy a Puppy.

Ask to see the Parents - Look for any health problems in the parents, such as the skin, eyes, and notice their temperament.

Ask about the parents health and if they suffer from any of the conditions I have mentioned.

Make sure you are not buying from a puppy mill. to do this, ask how many litters they have a year, If they produce a lot of litters, than its a puppy mill.

Ask if they are willing to take the Pup/Dog back if you are no longer able to care for him. This should be for the life of the Dog,

Any Respectable Breeder would be willing to answer your questions, and may even have a few questions for you. Such as - do you have a fenced in back yard. How much time can you spend with the Puppy every day. and where will you keep the puppy. They also may do a follow up to see how the Puppy has turned out, because they care about what type of Dog's they breed, and want to make sure they produce quality dogs and not quantity.

A good breeder can be a great source of information for you and will be willing to answer any of your questions before and after you buy the pup.

Breed standards

Size: Shoulder height: 38 - 41 cm (15 - 16.5 inches). Weight is around 29 lbs.

Coat: Hair is smooth and medium length.

Character: This dog is intelligent, cheerful, lively and affectionate.

Temperament: Cocker Spaniels get along well with children, other dogs, and any household pets.

Training: Training must be consistent but not overly firm, as the dog is quite willing to learn.

Activity: Three walks a day are sufficient. However, this breed needs to run freely in the countryside on occasion. Most of them love to swim.

Do I Go Home Today ?

My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory,
because I now live in the shelter - without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely, in the back yard, on a chain.
I barked and barked, all day long, just to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter, but were embarrassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy, then they each kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes, when I was just a little pup,
then I would have been a better dog when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left." I heard the worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance? DO I GO HOME TODAY?

Before You Buy