The Cocker

Health - You are seeking a dog that is healthy and free of genetic ailments. Inquire about the parent's annual eye exam results (an eye exam done on both parents within the current year by a certified canine opthalmologist: Eye Information) and hip ratings (Hip Information) with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Ensure puppies' have no bald spots and don't scratch excessively, eyes are clear, and ears clean.

Family History - Your puppy should come with a pedigree (3 to 5 generations) outlining its lineage. Ask to see the mother (dam), and if possible, the father (sire) of the litter to gauge the temperament of your puppy. Inquire about the age of the dam and the number of litters produced in a year.

Responsibilities - Cockers are very social and crave attention. They typically share your household and require exercise and regular grooming. If you don't have a fenced yard, plan on spending time each day walking your dog. A well exercised cocker is going to be healthier both physically and mentally. Because of a cocker's long thick coat, it will require professional grooming during its entire life. Typical bathing and clipping is required at least once per 6 to 8 weeks. A cocker's long heavy ears can be prone to infection (Otitis) and also require cleaning on a regular basis!

Housing - Our cockers live in-doors with us, but we are staunch proponent's of crating. All puppies crate train easily and this eases housetraining. Dogs are instinctively denning animals and feel more secure in the confined, well-protected space of a crate. A crate offers safety and security and will quickly become your cocker's own home. For further information (availability, pricing) on acquiring a suitable crate, please email us.

Registration & Identification - In order for a dog to be legally sold as a purebred in Canada, it must be either already registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or it must be eligible to be registered with the CKC within six months of the date of sale. Upon sale, ownership must be transferred and the new owner must be provided with a CKC Certificate of Registration within six months of the date of sale. The breeder is obligated to permanently identify the dog in the form of a CKC registered tattoo or a Canadian Standard Microchip Transponder prior to it leaving the breeder's premises. The cost of the above is the responsibility of the breeder and under no circumstances should anyone submit these applications on the breeder's behalf, nor should they pay for the transactions, above and beyond the sale price of the dog [S. 64 Animal Pedigree Act, S.30.1 CKC By-laws].