If you’re searching for the best Cocker Spaniel rescues in Houston, you’ve come to the right place. Cocker Spaniels are happy-go-lucky dogs that make excellent companions. At one time, they were the most popular breed in America. But even the most adorable dog breeds can wind up in shelters.
Due to many factors, this small, spunky dog can find itself without a home and a loving family to care for it. Luckily, there are plenty of high-quality Cocker Spaniel rescues in Houston where you can find a sweet puppy looking for its forever home.
For more guides similar to this list of Cocker Spaniel rescues in Houston, you can check out these other dog rescue shelter recommendations from our team at We Love Doodles: Best Shih Tzu Rescues in Houston and Best Boston Terrier Rescues in Houston.
Why Are Cocker Spaniels in Rescue Shelters in Houston, Texas?
A Cocker Spaniel may end up in a shelter or rescue for several reasons. Some of the most common reasons have nothing to do with the breed but the person or family who gives them up.
These reasons usually include the following:
- Change in a financial situation.
- Owner or family moves.
- The owner becomes ill, ages, or passes and can no longer take care of the dog.
- The dog accidentally got pregnant and had puppies.
- Other commitments take up too much time.
These circumstances can apply to any family that owns any dog breed. While every dog deserves a family who won’t give up on them, not every owner sees it that way. But specifically, many Cocker Spaniels end up in rescues because their previous owner did not research the breed properly to train it accordingly.
For example, because Cocker Spaniels were originally bred to hunt, they have a lot of energy that they need to burn. A Cocker may showcase poor behavior if someone cannot or will not dedicate time to daily exercise.
Additionally, due to years of unethical breeding, Cocker Spaniels are prone to many health issues that owners aren’t prepared to handle or pay for. Their tendency to bark without proper training can also annoy some unprepared owners.
Before You Adopt a Cocker Spaniel From a Rescue Shelter in Houston
If you’re new to Cocker Spaniels, learning a little bit about the breed first can help you understand whether this breed is a good fit for you or not. You first need to know that Cocker Spaniels come from the sporting group. Hailing from a sporting group means breeders originally bred the dog for hunting.
Dogs from this group have excellent alertness, high energy, and often high trainability. The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest dog in the sporting group, but it still needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation and training. Providing this kind of care can ensure your puppy is happy and healthy.
A happy and healthy Cocker is sweet, loving, and loyal. As long as a Cocker experiences proper early exposure, this breed is well-behaved around other dogs and children. But because of its long double coat, it requires frequent, almost daily grooming.
Most Cockers are people-pleasers, so training with plenty of love gets the job done. This breed is among the greats, with plenty of attention, mental activity, and socialization. While Cocker Spaniels are lovely, joyous dogs, they must receive appropriate mental and physical stimulation.
Poor behavior begins to surface when Cockers aren’t active mentally and physically. Thus, Cockers are not the best breed for someone who works long hours or frequent overtime, isn’t regularly physically active, or doesn’t want to play with the dog.
Find a Cocker Spaniel Rescue Shelter Near Me in Houston, Texas
Despite some of the reasons why someone might give up their Cocker Spaniel, the truth is that this breed makes a wonderful family pet that loves everyone around it. If you’re looking into Cocker Spaniel adoption, check out some of these rescues in the Houston area.
Cocker Spaniel Product Recommendations: Best Shampoos For a Cocker Spaniel and Best Dog Dental Wipes.
1. Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas is a non-profit rescue that offers everything a Cocker without a home needs. These dogs are in good hands with services like foster care, regular grooming, shelter, and excellent food.
Since 1988, Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas has grown from a mere two-person operation helping a dozen Cocker Spaniels a year to a business with 50 volunteers and 30 regular foster homes. The rescue keeps most of its available dogs in foster care, while the rest are well cared for in shelters.
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas is an award-winning rescue dedicated to only the best care. It was born out of a need to eliminate backyard breeding and has created a safe and healthy network of boarding kennels.
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas Details
- Location: Sugar Land, Texas
- Phone Number: (713) 208-1314
- Email Address: info@cockerkids.org
- Website: Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas
2. Houston Cocker Spaniel Rescue
Houston Cocker Spaniel Rescue is a small business run by two Cocker Spaniel owners and lovers. The rescue focuses on homeless Spaniels in the North Harris County and Montgomery County areas and hopes to re-home these abandoned puppies one at a time. The operation began in 2012 and has helped over 600 puppies find their forever homes.
The organization also runs a fostering program for temporary placement where Cocker Spaniels can feel comfortable and loved until their new owners find them. Though the rescue has phased out much of its operations, it still works on a case-by-case basis to help Cocker Spaniels find homes.
Houston Cocker Spaniel Rescue Details
- Location: The Woodlands, Texas
- Phone Number: (713) 469-2414
- Email Address: Email Address Contact Form
- Website: Houston Cocker Spaniel Rescue
3. Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin & San Antonio
Cocker Spaniel Rescue Group of Austin and San Antonio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is completely volunteer-run. At this rescue, everyone loves Cocker Spaniels and works hard to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home these incredible dogs.
The organization is in Central Texas, but the incredible people there are happy to work with adoptees even farther away – as long as it means helping a lost Cocker. This Cocker Spaniel Rescue also has what they call the Enduring Love Program. This program focuses on older Cockers, who often get passed up for younger puppies.
The volunteers at Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin & San Antonio rescue senior Cocker Spaniels, place them in foster homes, market them out to the community, and offer a Seniors-for-Seniors program where they match senior dogs with elderly owners.
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin & San Antonio Details
- Location: Central Texas Area
- Phone Number: (512) 527-9923
- Email Address: woof@austincockerrescue.org
- Website: Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin & San Antonio
4. DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue
For the last 20+ years, DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue has been committed to helping all the Cocker Spaniels who don’t get picked first. Their organization focuses on abandoned dogs, those with poor training, and those who fell victim to irresponsible breeding.
At DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue, people understand that every dog has a spirit that needs to be loved. For this reason, every rescue receives the best care.
This shelter provides everything a lost Cocker needs, from regular grooming and dental cleaning to vaccines and medical treatment. You can feel good about adopting a Cocker Spaniel from this rescue, as they care about these dogs as much as you will when they become yours.
DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue Details
- Location: Dallas Fort Worth Area
- Phone Number: (972) 994-1133
- Email Address: dfwcsr@gmail.com
- Website: DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue
Conclusion For The “Best Cocker Spaniel Rescues in Houston, Texas”
Cocker Spaniels make fantastic companions and family pets. Plus, they’re so adorable. But like any breed, a lack of preparation and research can overwhelm the owner with responsibility. These, and other reasons, are why owners leave Cockers at rescues and shelters.
If you live in Texas, you can give a rescue Cocker Spaniel a new life and lots of love through Cocker Spaniel adoption. Look into some Cocker Spaniel care and training and see if you can find a new furry friend.
For more guides similar to this list of Cocker Spaniel rescues in Houston, Texas, you can check out these other dog rescue shelter recommendations from our team:
- Best Cocker Spaniel Rescues in Colorado
- Best Cocker Spaniel Rescues in Austin, Texas
- Best Cocker Spaniel Rescues in Michigan
Before you adopt a Cocker Spaniel companion from a rescue shelter in Houston, Texas, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “3 Things to Know Before Getting a Cocker Spaniel” down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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