Enquiries from show and pet homes welcome.

I try to vet all prospective homes to ensure that my babies have wonderful forever homes, to help me i need your references, preferably from your vet, grooming parlour or a previous breeder. I welcome anyone to come and visit my home and to see and meet my dogs but would ask that you agree a time/date first! LOL. I am happy to talk dogs with you and would prefer to see you and to let you see my dogs before you decide to purchase a new puppy. (However, a word of warning, you will not be able to take anyone of my gang home with you no matter how many times you ask!!! ;-))

Because of the distances involved i will not sell pets to overseas homes, however enquiries from overseas show kennels are welcomed, i will still need your references though!!!

All puppies are sold with written contracts

ALL UK sales:- Registrations will be endorsed Not for Breeding and Not for Export - no exceptions. In order to protect my bloodlines and to protect the dogs from a life of abuse all of my dogs are sold not for breeding, any puppies sold to prospective show homes will be assessed for show potential and will also be endorsed as stated, subsequently the endorsement not for breeding may be lifted in show dogs, but only under strict conditions, my decision is final. This is to protect the dogs and the bloodlines!

Full advice and help given for your dogs life, grooming/trimming demonstrations freely given when requested, help with showing etc given as required. I will take back any dog of my breeding at any time in his or her life if the owners can no longer keep the dog, for any reason, i will not make judgments just please return my dogs so that i can ensure that they are found a new forever home.

I am always here to help and offer advice

I try as far as possible to ensure that dogs used for breeding are healthy and are tested where required for hereditary conditions which are known to affect this breed. I only breed from dogs of outstanding typical American Cocker temperaments, with happy, playful dispositions, which will ensure that they make ideal family pets.

My puppies are well socialised from as early as 3 weeks of age, they are continually exposed to new environments in and around my home, they are used to normal house noises, TV, hoover, washing machine etc, they are very well handled and are used to being brushed. I endeavour to ensure that all of my babies are happy, outgoing and friendly and should go on to become wonderful family pets, however you must continue with this exposure and socialisation to ensure that your puppy is well adjusted, brush your dog daily, introduce him to new people, and surroundings, make life fun!

Please remember:-
American Cockers require a lot of grooming, preferably a bath and clip every week minimum for show dogs, this can be reduced to every 4-6 weeks for pets. If you cannot bath and clip your dog yourself you will need to pay someone else to do it for you – usually around £25 at grooming parlour – every month.

In addition a weekly groom is essential combing your dog out will take about one hour each week.

Am Cockers are very lively throughout their lives, they thrive on play and require lots of attention, toys and cuddles.

You must train and socialise your dog from the begining, he must be taught what is acceptable behaviour and what is not allowed, he will only know these things if you tell him. The best and most productive way to train any dog is through reward, always reward correct or desirable behaviour and try to simply ignore poor behaviour. However if your puppy is doing something which is simply not allowed a firm NO! and then immediate distraction into desired behaviour followed by lots of praise is usually sucessful. Dogs are pack animals and need a pack leader, this is the most dominant person in the home, if you do not become pack leader your dog will. Being pack leader does not mean being mean, it just means being there for your dog and letting your dog know that he can rely on you for everything and that he has a place in your home and your life.

Your dog must become accustomed to new surroundings, people and dogs from a young age, it is a good idea to join a puppy training class, or to take your dog to Tesco and sit outside with him, try anything to get them used to change, differnet people and new situations etc. Get you puppy used to car rides and make it a pleasant experience always end with something fun, so the puppy looks forward to going in the car. Take lots of treats out with you to ensure that you can keep your puppy motivated and happy in what may seem daunting situations for him.

Please for the sake of your dog and this wonderful breed, do not take on an American Cocker unless you are fully prepared for all of the above – and more.

Lastly

Do you have the time and energy to look after your dogs coat, or are you prepared to pay someone else to do it for you?

Do you have the time and energy to devote to a dog, to play endlessly with your Cocker, to train and love him?

Do you want a companion to go everywhere with you, even to bed?!

Only if you have answered yes to all of the above should you consider having an American Cocker Spaniel

If you wish to enquire about a puppy or young adult American Cocker Spaniel e mail address link.

Puppies are priced at:-
Show prospects start at £750.00 - with full written contract and endorsed 'not for breeding' and 'not for export', these endorsements may be removed once the dog has reached breeding age and has completed the required health tests at my discretion. Show puppies are usually run on until 3 - 4 months old in order to allow more time for assessments.
Pets start at £650.00 - with full written contract puppies will be endorsed as above, 'not for breeding' and 'not for export', these endorsements will remain on your dog for the rest of his or her life. I occasionally let puppies go with a full Multi Champion pedigree , puppy pack and other benefits but retain the KC registration papers. In these instances your puppy will cost around £450.00 (a popular option for people who do not wish to show and just want a healthy well bred companion)

Puppies are sold with Puppy pack with guidance on rearing, grooming, feeding etc, KC registration (endorsed), full pedigree, 3kg food, all puppies are fully wormed with details given but are not innoculated at 8 weeks, this should be done at your own vets. We also offer free insurance for either 6 or 12 weeks.

I provide full backup help and advice for the rest of your dog's life.

Occasionally I may have young retired adults available to vetted permanent homes, these adults are generally for adoption only – not for sale. Retired show dogs make excellent pets, they are usually well trained, used to being handled and groomed, lead trained and happy in the car and home, and after a brief period of settling in, make wonderful companions for people who do not want to cope with the exuberance of a young puppy.

Please register your interest by e-mailing ac.enquiries@bigtop.me.uk

N.B. There may be a wait of several months before a young dog becomes available.

BIGTOP AMERICAN COCKER SPANIELS
Rachael Kingsley
Based in the West Midlands 10mins Junc 2 M5
Tel:- 01384 350030 or 07977 936102 (very long ring, if there is no answer, please leave a message on the mobile and i will call you back)