When planning to adopt a furry friend, it is equally important to plan your finances before adding them to your life. The cost of raising and owning a new dog can be unpredictable and can turn into a financial burden if the cost is not taken into consideration.
If you’re in the market looking for a Cocker Spaniel, you will have to take into consideration many costs like the price of the pup or adult dog, food, accessories, training, veterinary/medical cost, microchip, grooming expenses, etc.
In today’s article, I have designed a cost calculator that will give you a better understanding and precise estimation as to how much it would cost to buy and raise a Cocker Spaniel in India.
Origin and history
Cocker Spaniel belongs to the Spaniel family, which is a large dog breed group.
The word spaniel means “Spanish dog” and the word cocker comes from the word “woodcock” which is the bird they used to hunt.
They were bred as gun dogs, to use their senses to cover lower areas near the handler to flush birds. They used their eyes and nose to locate the birds once downed and then retrieve them back to their handler with a soft mouth.
In the 1800s Spanish dogs were divided into two groups; large dogs and toy dogs. Later, hunting dogs were divided into land and water spaniels.
There was a further separation between Cocker Spaniel and Springer Spaniel after the Kennel Club was established.
Temperament and appearance
A wagging tail can brighten almost any gloomy day. The first thing you notice about a Cocker Spaniel is its continuously wagging tail. They are known for their merry and playful nature.
They have a mellow temperament and are a happy-go-lucky breed. Likewise, they aren’t the best guard dogs due to their amiable personality.
However, they are great watchdogs and will alert you if anything comes close to your house. They require intense grooming and daily brushing.
They can be difficult to groom because of the abundance of hair and the features of their coat can trap dirt easily. Regular brushing is essential along with gentle trimming, especially around the eyes and ears.
How much does a Cocker Spaniel puppy cost?
A Cocker Spaniel puppy can range from Rs 30,00 to Rs 35,000 across India.
When buying Cocker Spaniel I highly recommend you to do your full research to find a reputed shelter, breeder, or source. This has a major impact on the health and wellbeing of the pooch.
Adopting is a much more economical option for most people. First-year expenses could fall around Rs.86,000 to Rs.95,000 which is around Rs. 7,000 to Rs.8,000 per month.
These numbers include necessary things like food, supplies, training, treats, grooming, microchip, medical bills, etc. The price of this breed is highly dependent upon their age, quality, pedigree, gender, and location.
Below is the list of factors affecting the price of the breed.
Factors affecting the puppy price
As mentioned above many factors determine the price of a cocker spaniel puppy. Here are the most important ones to consider.
1. Bloodline and breed
Reputed breeders tend to invest more money and take extra care of their puppies and dogs compared to others. If the parents of the puppy are purebred and show quality dogs, the price usually will be higher.
2. Purebred or mixed
Usually purebred are sold at a higher price compared to a mixed breed.
3. Age
This plays a huge role when it comes to the cost of a puppy. Since most paw parents want to adopt their pooch as young as possible, the rate tends to be higher when the dog is young.
For example, a 3-month-old Cocker Spaniel will be much more expensive compared to a 6-month-old.
4. Colours and patterns
Coat colors and patterns also determine the price of a puppy, especially a cocker spaniel. For purebred dogs like Cocker Spaniel, only specific coat colors and patterns are accepted by the kennel club. Puppies with unique patterns can also be quite expensive.
5. Medical expenses and health screening
Reputed breeders get their puppies/dogs tested or evaluated for certain health conditions that the breed is known to be affected.
Not only that, some breeds take the extra step of getting the new pup vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped before putting them up for sale.
This increases the price of the puppy but also ensures that you receive a happy and healthy puppy.
6. Registration and pedigree
Some breeds are a part of the kennel club and the most popular breeds are members of the American Kennel Club (AKC). Breeders can also have their dogs/puppies registered at the club, which can also add to the fees.
Cost of welcoming supplies for a Cocker Spaniel
As you welcome a new pooch in your family it is important to invest in their daily necessities. You need several products in hand to make raising a Cocker Spaniel easier for both of you. This includes items like bowls, food, collar, toys, bed, I’d tag, etc.
Below is a detailed breakdown of all the expenses, see what applies to you and your lifestyle. This will help you get a clear picture of the monthly and yearly expenses of owning a Cocker Spaniel.
The average cost of supplies –
- Food and water bowl — Rs. 600 to Rs.700
- Dog collar — Rs. 500
- Lease — Rs. 700 to Rs. 1000
- Toys — Rs.1000
- Dog bed — Rs.1000 to Rs.1500
- Dog crate — Rs. 1500 to Rs. 3000
- Poop Scooper — Rs. 500
- Poop bag (130 – 180 bags) — Rs 300 to Rs. 500
- Dog Cleansing and hygiene kit (regular shampoo, flea shampoo, paw butter, dry shampoo, etc.) — Rs. 1500 to Rs.1700
- Dog Brush — Rs. 500 to Rs. 700
- Dog ID tag — Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000
All these supplies can cost you around Rs.8500 to Rs.10,000.
As a Cocker Spaniel grows the price of supplies eases up considerably. You may have to repurchase a few items like shampoo, toothbrush, poop bags, bed, etc.
Repurchasing monthly necessities might cost you around Rs.2000 to Rs.3000, depending upon the quality and brand of the products.
As you noticed the price of supplies can get quite expensive, especially during the initial purchase. If you are on a tight budget, you can always opt for websites with great deals or second-hand stores.
Cocker Spaniel feeding monthly feeding cost
Cocker Spaniel are medium-sized dogs and can weigh up to 9-10 kgs.
After going through multiple popular brands like Purina, Pedigree, Chappi, and Drool, I have estimated the average cost of feeding a Cocker Spaniel puppy through its first year of life.
An average Cocker Spaniel puppy is likely to consume around 45 kgs of dry food. This might cost around Rs. 6000 to Rs. 8000 (first year), which is around Rs.500 to Rs.600 monthly. An adult Cocker Spaniel typically consumes around 63 to 65 kgs of dry food in a year.
Hence, monthly feeding can cost you around Rs. 800 to Rs. 1000 on average. Keep in mind there can be a huge cost difference between premium and budget brands.
On the other hand, as a paw parent, you’d also like to treat your dog regularly. Monthly treats can cost around Rs.1000 to Rs. 1500 on an average.
This estimation of treats is made on the basis that the dog receives a treat every single day. But if you want to treat them every alternative day, you can divide this number into two.
Medical and Vet expenses
According to many sources, medical expenses for a Cocker Spaniel should cost around Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 45,000 for the first year and Rs. 25,000 to Rs30,000. These figures are a rough estimation based on multiple sources. The number can vary according to your location and clinics accessible to you.
A minimum of 3 visits to the veterinarian clinic during the first year of the cocker spaniel puppy can cost you around Rs. 5,000 to 10,000 (each visit).
This may include regular fecal examination, physical examination, and regular vaccines that may include rabies, heartworm, and flea prevention.
Neutering or spraying can cost anything between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 in India. This is a one-time procedure and must also be considered, as vets typically suggest that this procedure must be done between the age of four and nine months.
Cocker Spaniel grooming expenses
The maintenance and grooming of a cocker spaniel is an intensive job. According to many certified groomers, Cocker Spaniel should be professionally groomed six to eight times a year.
Hence, you will have to take your cocker spaniel for a professional grooming session once every 45 to 60 days. Each grooming session falls in the Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 price range in India. This cost can vary depending upon the size of the breed, age, haircut styles, and additional services.
Additional cost
1. Dog Insurance (optional)
As a Cocker Spaniel owner, you might consider opting for pet health insurance for unwanted medical expenses. This can act as a safety net and will make the budget a lot easier.
There are many options available in India, and they can cover a maximum of Rs.50,000 for surgeries, accidental fractures up to Rs. 5,000(maximum) and hospitalization cost up to 2,000 per day.
2. Microchip
This can cost around Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 in India. A microchip creates a unique ID for your Cocker Spaniel, allowing it to be in the emergency and medical database. It is also used to trace or recover dogs in case they are lost or stolen.
3. License
A license will most likely cost you better Rs 350 if registered within 60 days or else the fee is Rs 600 (per puppy).
Licensing your Cocker Spaniel is a mandatory process in India and all responsible pet parents must get it done with the local civic bodies.
Owning a Cocker Spaniel on budget
Yes, owning and raising a Cocker Spaniel is expensive, but you can totally do it on a budget. The best thing you can do to avoid costly medical/ vet expenses is to take great care of your dog’s health. You can do this by feeding them high-quality food and regular exercise.
Getting good vet care from a low-cost clinic or opting for pet insurance. Following all these tips will help you save money and also keep your pooch happy and healthy.
Conclusion
Owning a Cocker Spaniel isn’t easy and a lot of things need to be considered. Even though they are expensive, they are amazing family dogs. Cocker Spaniels are merry and playful creatures. They are compassionate, loyal, caring, and brighten up anyone’s day.
I hope you guys enjoyed reading this article and find it helpful.
All the expenses mentioned above are a rough estimation and the cost can highly vary depending on personal choices.
