Cocker Spaniel Breeders

Many Cocker Spaniel owners want to become Cocker Spaniel breeders just because they want to have puppies from their beloved pet dog or bitch. It’s a wrong approach to dog breeding, especially today, when the problem of pet overpopulation is very acute. It’s not wise to breed pet quality dogs, even if they are cute, intelligent, and good looking, because it spoils the breed in general. All animals with even minor faults should be spayed or neutered in order not to transmit their defects further to the offspring.

To establish a breed, people choose sires and dams with desired features and breed them to fix their best features in the offspring. Several breeds can be mixed to create a new one, but when the breed is established, it should not be mixed with other breeds or mutt dogs. In the 19th century, American Cocker Spaniel breeders started a new line of the Cocker Spaniel. Until the middle of the 20th century, English and American varieties of the breed could be crossbred, but in 1946, these varieties were registered as separate breeds. Present day American Cocker Spaniel breeders don’t use English Spaniels as foundation stock.

American Cocker Spaniel breeders breed purebred dogs according to the AKC or other breed standard. There are working and show lines of the breed that differ slightly in conformation and appearance. Today, Cocker Spaniels are rarely used for their original function - flushing waterfowl. Most breeders produce puppies for the show ring or for the role of pet companions. They screen the breeding stock for hereditary conditions, cull dogs with genetic defects, and choose the best representatives of the breed.

It may be difficult to find a responsible and experienced breeder of a popular breed, because there are many backyard or hobby breeders who produce mediocre dogs for sale. Avoid pet stores and puppy mills. A Cocker Spaniel club can help with breeder references, if you want a really good Cocker Spaniel from a champion bloodline. Reputable Cocker Spaniel breeders don’t advertise their puppies through local newspapers, as they have long waiting lists before the litter is born.