A good breeder will start all the training processes for your puppy at young age including house breaking, and getting your puppy use to grooming.

 

A good breeder will keep in touch with you and be available by phone or e-mail to give you support and advice, there is nothing more a good breeder wants then for your puppy to be happy and healthy.

 

 

American Cockers need lots of exersize, they can live in an apartment because they are a small dog in size, but they are not small in personality. They are very smart and eager to learn, they need lots of exersize for thier body, but they also need lots of exersize for thier brain, that is why they make great performance dogs.

 

 

When you buy from a breeder you know what you are getting, the breeder can supply you with lots of information on not only the parents, but the grand parents, and the great grand parents, so you will know the type of cocker you are getting. Will she have lots of coat ? Or will she have low coat volume for easy up keep.  What will her temperment be like? Is she likely to have health issues?

 

Buying from a pet store you have little to no information.  Your puppy will most likly have house breaking problems, and you are helping to support puppy mills accross the country.

 

I would reccomend you go to the pound and save a life, take in a rescue before you buy from a pet store. There are plenty of American cocker spaniels from puppy mills that end up in the pound that need homes.

 

Good breeders keep in touch with thier puppy owners, and will take back a puppy or adult dog should for some reason it does not work for the new owner, the breeder will then train and socialize the dog if needed and place it in a loving home, so if you don't want a puppy to start with ask the breeder if they have an adult dog that needs a home.