Cocker Spanial. Is this a bad idea?

Question

I found in the classified ads adult male Cocker Spanials for $80. That is exactly what I want is an adult male Cocker Spanial. The only downfall is it's 2 hours away. My husband doesn't want to drive there on the chance that we might not be interested. Would you drive 2 hours to look at a potential dog then 2 hours back home? Should I just wait for one closer to home? Is $80 a reasonable price. We don't have a ton of money. Thanks

I've talked with the woman several times today over the phone. She is an elderly woman and just talking to her was like pulling teeth. She just couldn't hear me and it took several times of repeating and explaining to get my point across. The dogs sound great though.

leashforlife, I just meant I don't have 500 + to spend on a dog right now. I can swing 80 though. I'm going to go look at him tomorrow after I get out of school. It will be a closer drive and my husband will be at work and my daughter will be at daycare. It's easier that way. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

Answer 1

First I would find out the reason they are getting rid of him. Badly cared for cockers can be nasty.. So make sure you do some temperament testing on him (look in google). Most cockers are fine now days because they are being bred a lot better.

I own 1 cocker, and I have owned 3 others and done cocker rescue, they are wonderful dogs. 20 years ago they got so over bred an inbred there was a lot of issues with them.

YES I would and have driven 2 or more hours to see a dog. And I have had people drive to my home to meet my dogs when they were looking to buy a puppy from me. Had a family drive 3 hours here on Sunday to meet my dogs and see the puppies, the pups are 2 weeks old.

If your husband doesn't want to go, then go alone or bring along a friend. I have driven 6 hours ONE way to pick up a dog before, several times actually. I mostly have gone alone or taken my teen son because my husband just wasn't into it

And yes, 80.00 is more than reasonable for re-homing an animal cocker spaniels go for over 600.00 here in Wa. state.. But like I said, make sure the dog isn't a biter, ask them right out.. "has this dog ever bit or nipped at anyone"..If yes is anywhere in the answer, do not take him no matter the reason they give.

Answer 2

$80 is not a lot - but i'd have to ask if U think that's a lot of money, or if U "don't have a ton of money", can U afford to care for a dog once U get one?

i'm not being snotty; if U were to get a grown-up dog, U still need to provide good food, GROOMING, vet care [vaccs, plus at least annual all-over health checks till the dog is 6 or 7yrs, at which point it becomes 2x/yr], a leash, collar, crate for house-training, bowls for food & water, a mat or bed to give them a place of comfort OFF the furniture, TRAINING...

there's a lot of outlay!

he may also need to be desexed, which is 'neutered' for males; this decreases aggro [& thus the chance of a bite], & reduces the odds of prostate trouble, testicular cancer, & other fast-growing, aggressive, hormonally-stimulated cancers.
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abt Grooming:

Cockers aren't 'wipe & go' slick hounds; thay have to be combed knot-free, right to the skin, BEFORE U put them into the tub; water shrinks any tangle or mat into a knot, that must be cut out - it's not 'untangle-able' after wetting.

Cockers are also prone to ear-infections, so keeping their ears Clean, Dry & Healthy is an ongoing health issue.

trimming the 'feathers' on the legs & the Petticoats under the tail isn't hard, but U need someone to show U how, or U need to spend the $$ to have someone do it; a good pair of haircutting scissors will set U back abt $60. [that's abt the cost of one grooming; the scissors will last U at least 10 yrs or more, w/ good care, if U use them ONLY on HAIR & keep the kids & Ur hubby from borrowing them!! :p ]

his claws will also need to be trimmed to keep them from overgrowing & causing paw-injuries or gait problems.
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vet insurance is also something that might save U a bundle: 'wellness' policies cover only health-maintenance. CRISIS insurance covers the big unplanned stuff: hit by a car, & he needs orthopedic surgery. the insurance policy means that U can say "yes" to an otherwise impossible expense, & don't have to lose Ur dog to a treatable or curable problem.

HEARTWORM: be sure to take the dog in for a test, & if he's negative, Start HEartworm Preventive. it's sneaky, it's lethal, & it takes only ONE mosquito-bite to get it.
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2 hours is a ways... but have U spoken to the owner/seller?

do U have a cat, or any kids? who else will the dog have to live compatibly with? U can ask if the dog was raised with cats, or if he likes the grandfolks or snarls & leaves the room when they come to visit...

ask for their VET's contact-info:
get a read on the dog from the techs there. is he easy to handle? nervous or nasty? have they ever boarded him? if so, how did he behave? did he eat OK, toilet on-leash, & not have stress-diarrhea?

U can always ASK... it's better to ask 1st, than to find out after!

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consider a breed-rescue: they will BRING the dog >to U<, but most require a home-inspection & vet refs.

they want it to be a forever-home; so they will usually also provide follow-up help after, & IF, for ANY reason, U cannot keep the dog in the future, they'll take him back & re-home him again.
that's "life insurance" for a dog: if U are sick, crippled in an accident, or develop an allergy, the dog has a PLACE & PEOPLE to go to, who already know him.

breed-rescue can be a wonderful resource; good luck in Ur search!

Answer 3

Hmm... I just read you have a 3yr old.. let me tell you cocker spaniels have a worse reputation with kids than pit bulls do! I work at a shelter and I have seen some NASTY cocker spaniels. I wouldn't trust this lady.
We had a cocker at the shelter who was very friendly, but a little possessive over his toy. We adopted him out and he literally went NUTS. Barking at the wall and pretty much holding the family hostage. he was incredibly aggressive and probably originally came from a backyard breeder or pet store. I don't trust cocker spaniels at all! and I certainly would never have one around kids!!
The truth is, you don't know his background, and this lady is weird. If you want, check it out, but think of your child. I don't think you'd want to risk her well-being. 80 bux is an awesome price, but again, think of what can happen in the future - this dog may have aggression which can possibly lead to hospital bills.
Also this lady can lie to you saying he's never bitten before..
you just don't know! If you really want to get a cocker spaniel, then your best bet is to go thru a REPUTABLE breeder- someone who knows how to correctly breed them. But you said, you don't have a lot of money, so you may not be able to afford that. (plus on top of the price of the dog, there's TONS of bills!)
I think you should go to an animal shelter and see what they have. Are there other dogs you are interested in? There are plenty of mixed breed dogs that would love to be part of your family, and are good with kids!! Trust me!
Plus, shelter fees are way cheap. They may be a little bit more, maybe around $150-200, but think of it this way- you are getting an already altered adult dog, up to date on shots, tested for common diseases (and negative) like heartworm. i doubt that old lady has done that! You may go into the shelter and find a dog that you just absolutely love. Good luck!!!

Answer 4

I think this one, due to the price, is worth the jig, but if it was any higher than it wouldn't be worth it. If it's your "dream dog," your'e certain you'll never be able to find a dog "just like that one," then that's the dog you've been looking for! I don't really know if eighty dollars is a lot/little, but seeing some dogs go for hundreds of dollars, it might be a one-time price! Also, check your local dog shelter for cocker spaniels, adult, male, whatever breed and brand you like or want- that would be helping a dog in distress. If you want a dog not from a shelter, then I think you should go for it. You might get lucky!

Answer 5

Well tell your husband to look at it this way,he gets to spend time with you 2hrs there and back,and if you both like the dog which 80 dollars is a steel as long as he is not an old dog.Then all three of you will get to enjoy the ride back home as a new family.

Answer 6

I'd call the people and inquire as to why they're selling their pet. If the answers are suitable, then arrange to meet them, and get to see the dog, in it's home environment. See how it interacts etc.

If all goes well, you'd get a lovely dog, for a very reasonable price, and the two hour each way drive won't matter. :)

And don't just base your opinion and decision on LOOKS alone!!

Answer 7

If it is a full bred (papers or no papers) then you probably wont find any cheaper than that. i wanted a boxer mix with pit bull and I found one and drove three hours and paid $100 dollars so maybe Im crazy but he is the best dog I ever had. Call the owner and ask if it is pure bred or mix.

Answer 8

Call the person first. Ask if they have an e-mail address. If they do, ask for them to send u some pics of the dog. If you really like it, go for it!!! I think it's about $80 if you adopt a pet anyway, maybe more.

Answer 9

$80.00 is a good price on an adult cocker, make sure he's all up to date on his shots and if he's neutered, better yet :)

I have driven long distances (3-8 hours) to check out a prospective new family member

Good Luck!

Answer 10

Well,there oughta be more than ONE nice cocker in the universe...but I've only met the one & I've been in dogs since '71!