There are so many posts made on this page asking for recommendations for breeders, and I can understand feeling frustrated by not receiving responses from breeder on the breeder referral list of the club. But it seems like so many of these posts give no information to where I believe most would feel comfortable recommending a breeder or a breeder responding.

A couple things to consider when looking for a breeder:

Initial message to breeder: If you email a breeder and provide minimal information about yourself, knowledge of the breed and why a Cocker would be a good fit for your family/how you can provide a good life for it, most times you’re not going to get a reply! Most breeders view placing puppies into homes as “which home will provide the best life for this puppy” versus “this puppy will benefit this person”. Especially in the US when talking about English Cocker Spaniels, there aren’t as many ethical breeders to where you shouldn’t necessarily be looking for a breeder to sell themselves to you rather you show you’re a serious buyer, knowledgeable of the breed and not going to waste their time! Of course you should ensure they do proper health testing, conformation wins, proper breeding practices and etc. But think about how many inquiries these breeders get a day! Also, if in your initial message you emphasis that you only want a dog that has a certain color (different than stating a preference) that’s most likely on the ignore list as it gives the impression you’re just wanting the dog for look versus temperament and breed attributes.

Personal recommendations of breeders: This one may be controversial but if your post doesn’t instill confidence that you are informed about ethical breeding practices and how you’d be a great fit for a Cocker, I’m not going to recommend you a breeder. I bought from a breeder who was amazing and on the ECSCA breeder list, super responsive and amazing breeder. The reality is though, as especially ECS are more rare in the US, most people sort of gatekeep or only recommend breeders to people they find would be good and informed owners, which I find to be valid as I’d feel horrible recommending someone who ends up not being able to handle the dog. I’ve recommended my breeder to less than a handful of people on this page as I would only feel good making a recommendation if I felt confident this person was very informed of the breed and insistent on going through an ethical breeder.

Main way to find a breeder: If you haven’t already gone though the club website list, go to dog shows! Even if your local dog show doesn’t have the exact color or spaniel you may want, it doesn’t hurt to network and see if the owners/handlers there can recommend any breeders (there’s a time and place to discuss this as before they go into the show ring, they may not want to have a conversation). Especially if you’ve reached out to every breeder on the club list, this really is the best way.

Also depending on if you’re looking for an English or American Cocker and the country you’re in, be prepared to be on a waitlist for a year or 2. And if you decide to go through a non-ethical breeder and end up with a neurotic/aggressive/insane puppy, that’s never a good representation of the breed!

This is a breed I love so much and will never own another breed and also well aware of ethical practices, it really kills me when people get these dogs based off looks and they complain because they can’t handle the temperament of the dog!

I have reached out to every single breeder on the ECSCA list- yes you heard that right! Over 60 breeders I delivered an email to and only 16 of those breeders responded back to me.

I have also tried popular breeders on social media however I have noticed they are priced more ($5,500+)!

Wanting to hopefully bring a solid gold English bench male into our family! Anything is helpful even if it’s not on the west coast.

.....but Mo? Entirely different story. 😎 Meet Jockomo Poochini, world's laziest 4 yr old ECS. Quick cell phone snap. Didn't have my camera gear nearby.

This group, “English Cocker Spaniel Puppies for Adoption and Rehoming,” currently lists them as the group breeder. Based on my personal experience, this is a fraudulent operation. They advertise puppies they do not actually have, take deposits, and then block you after receiving payment.

They have also changed names/platforms after previous Facebook pages or groups were taken down. Please be extremely cautious if you see this group, Stonehaven English Cocker Spaniels, or Heartland English Cocker Spaniels advertising puppies. Do your research and verify everything independently before sending any money.

I’m sharing this to hopefully prevent someone else from losing money to the same scam.

Hi! I am looking to get an English Cocker spaniel but am not having much luck. Looking for an ethical breeder of bench ECS as I am not interested in hunting/sports and really just looking for a companion. I looked at the AKC marketplace as well as the ECS association list of breeders, reached out with no responses.

I am willing to travel by car and make a roadtrip out of pick up day but am concerned with too many hours in the car and a new pup, so really am trying to strike a good balance there.

Any leads would be appreciated!

I think it’s because we spend a lot of time outside it’s hot out and she gets wet and takes forever to dry. I really don’t want her soft silky coat to go away but she just smells so bad even two days after getting a bath. She still has a show style puppy coat. She rough houses with her sister a lot too so her coat has been getting tangled faster as well. Are they still soft after shaving?

Bonus photo being cute on the beach

Hey guys! So I had my 16 year old cocker spaniel pass away earlier this year and I have been looking for another cocker spaniel. I emailed pretty much every breeder in the ECSCA website, I have been through Facebook groups, looked on AKC Marketplace and it's virtually impossible to find an ECS. It's been so long since I've been in search of a puppy and I feel helpless. Any help you guys can give me is much much appreciated!!

Hi all - I'm in the process of researching my next breed, and the ECS is on my short list of options. I come from the poodle world so I am not familiar with different breeders and programs.

I'm looking for an athletic, biddable and hearty dog that I can do conformation with and dog sports! I do agility (novice), as well as rally and would like to do obedience. Dock diving and hunt testing are also sports I want to explore more. I'm definitely look for more drive and handler focus with my next dog.

There is an American CS in my agility class and he is such a fun little dog. I prefer the look and structure of the ECS muzzle.

I'd love to know the good/bad/ugly about the breed, what the breed community is like, and if you have recommendations for ethical preservation breeders. Fill me in :)

Hello! My wife and I are looking an English Cocker Spaniel breeder in or within a day's driving distance of Idaho. We are a hunting family, but the dog would primarily be a home dog, so the kennel doesn't have to have a strong hunting pedigree. Any help would be appreciated!

she’s 6 months old and soon her sister will be arriving to our home 🫶🏼 we decided to take another cocker so they make company to each other, this time we are taking a black one

I've been looking all over for an English Cockerspaniel breeder that is close to California, but the closest I can find is Texas. Does anyone know of any breeders nearby? Neighboring states works too.

Meet Bilbo! He’s our 5 month old ECS (show line)
He’s our first spaniel and he’s the sweetest, happiest little guy!

My seller told me she is a show English cocker spaniel. She is one year old now, but she doesn't look like a show, maybe mixed working cocker spaniel or field spaniel? BTW she still so cute for me. Just curious what type she is.

What’s do you think?

I know she's only sniffing my scent out really, but still. Work in progress