I went to the SPCA today to look what they had. I've been talking about adding a Cocker Spaniel to our family for about a year now, and brought it up today. Well, we went to town and I wanted to stop at the shelter, which we did. Just as I walked in they were putting a surrender Cocker Spaniel in a kennel. Whoever droped her off didn't give her age, but they guessed around 1-2years old. The things is, I've looked up what young puppies coats look like, and hers resembles a younger dogs coat. Basically it is shorter and thinner, but doesn't looked cut. You can tell it will thicken up, and that she is purebred, so that's not in question. What I want to know is anyone who has owned a Cocker, how can you guess at a better age, by an unaltered coat? Well, let me amend, her paws had a bit of trimming on them, but not much. Coat on top knot is about 2 1/2 inches, as well as legs and sides.
2007-12-01 16:57:04 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Either way, I'm crossing my fingers that it was the actual owners who placed her there (shelter rarely has room to accept owner surrender, so people lie and say it was a stray,) or she has no family looking for her. She will go up for adoption on the 7th, so I'm going to make sure I'm there 15 min before they open to make sure no one else gets her ;)
2007-12-01 17:14:31 · update #1
Cat Lady: LOL I would not concern myself with asking questions if I did not like my first impression with the dog. Actual I am concerned with age. My prefrence is a dog who is between 4 months-2 years. Older then 2 I will not adopt as I had a very bad experience with a 4y/o Beagle that we adopted a year ago, and had to bring right back to the shelter, just as we started driving away he started attacking me. I want a dog that is still young enough to forget, yet old enough to remember. And yes, it does have to be a Cocker Spaniel, which is a breed I have been interested in for years, and have been looking for one in our shelter who fits age and sex. Yes, it will be a family member, but certian breeds are for certian people, just as there are some that do not work for certian people. I wouldn't buy, adopt etc a pet unless I accepted it.
2007-12-01 17:24:42 · update #2
My wife actual did pro. grooming for show quality dogs etc. She also took classes durring grooming about breeds and their + sides, and - sides. We are both very familiar with Cockers and their eye/ear problems. Thanks though!
2007-12-01 17:28:02 · update #3
You seem to be really concerned about age because you're afraid that the older the dog the more aggressive it might be because of your bad experience with a Beagle.
I have a really sweet male cocker so I understand why you would want to add a cocker to your family. I chose a male because believe it or not the males are actually more affectionate then the females.
However, regardless of sex, with cockers they're either sweet and loving or snappy and unpredictable. It has more to do with breeding than with age.
Spend some time with the dog at the SPCA and it shoud be easy to tell if she is one of the sweet and loving ones.
My dog runs up to every person he sees and snuggles up next to them until he gets some affection. He's truly baffled if someone doesn't pay attention to him.
One last thing, these days the SPCA will temperment test a dog before they put it up for adoption so they can truly tell you about the disposition of this dog. They will be honest about all of the pros and cons because they want to adopt their animals to a forever home.
2007-12-02 08:56:54 · answer #1 · answered by sweetgirl6464 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cocker Spaniel Age
2016-12-14 13:17:49 · answer #2 · answered by turnbow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At that young of an age, does it really matter?
I've adopted most of my dogs at around the age of 2-3..
At that young, a vet may be able to tell if it still has puppy teeth, but, that's also a rough estimate.. The best they can estimate once the puppy teeth are gone within about a year..
Either way, you'll have probably a good 10-14 years with her..
Sounds like a great find!
2007-12-01 17:07:15 · answer #3 · answered by Unknown.... 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my dog is a lil over a year and her hair isnt tha long. she is a purebred i havent even cut her hair!! its about the same on her back and the legs are a lil longer, she is due for a trim. But w/o cutting her coat is very shiny and smooth. The fronts of her legs are still about an 1" in length and the back is where the hair is quite long. She is about a year and 6 months now. She is very active, hyper and playful. I also had a cocker spaniel from the pound and they said she was 4 and the vet guessed around that age too but she was VERy active. her coat wasnt as shiny, but it just depends on their diet and activity. So you cant tell too much, if you do get her take her to the vet and they should give you an estimate
2007-12-01 17:02:06 · answer #4 · answered by stefanie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You seem very concerned about this Cocker Spaniel's age. If she doesn't appear old, why be concerned?
What did you think of this dog? What did your family think of this dog? I just don't hear any "acceptance" in what you have put down here. If you are that concerned, why not get a puppy from the pound? And, does it HAVE to be a cocker spaniel?
You aren't buying breeding stock for your farm, you are considering a family pet. If you can't feel any enthusiasm for this animal, did your kids? I have taken in strays without this much to-do. (And loved them for 16 years!)
I believe a little introspection on your part, would be suggested
at this point.
2007-12-01 17:07:24 · answer #5 · answered by Cat Lady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of times people will shave down cockers for whatever reason- heat or mats. It's possible she was shaved down and her hair is just growing back in, causing it to look unaltered. Your best bet at guessing an age is by her teeth, which I'm assuming is how the people at the shelter guessed it.
I have a 2 year old cocker. He's the sweetest thing in the world. I highly recommend getting one- especially one without a home.
2007-12-01 17:00:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You cannot tell age by the coat. She may or may not have had good grooming and you just cannot tell. The vet there looked at her teeth and they can tell by how many of her teeth have come in and even the amount of tarter.
Cocker are lovely animals,I've had 3and my current guy is about 12 and has one foot on the banana peel. The only thing is their EARS. BE SURE YOU GET INSTRUCTIONS FROM YOU VET. on how to keep them clean. Ear infections are a problem. The ears hang down and get hot and sweaty and hairy. and fungus and bacteria can get in their ears. It is very painful and they dog will not always let you know...because dogs don't complain. And they can actually lose their hearing.
2007-12-01 17:16:25 · answer #7 · answered by Lyn B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The better way to tell age is by the teeth. Depending on the dog's genes and other environmental situations, the coat may mean nothing about age, but teeth seem to be the best clue because they all age fairly similarly in a healthy animal.
2007-12-01 17:14:41 · answer #8 · answered by Shanna 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Vet can take a look at her teeth to determine an approximate age.
2007-12-01 17:02:26 · answer #9 · answered by Dog Section Regular 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Teeth are your best bet, but either way, she's still young and you'll still get some "puppy" out of her. Good luck!!!
2007-12-01 17:19:21 · answer #10 · answered by a gal and her dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋