The People Who Pay Other Families' Vet Bills — And How to Help
10 English Cocker Spaniels Up For Adoption In S'pore After Breeder Closes Down
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A total of 10 English Cocker Spaniels are up for adoption in Singapore as a result of the breeder closing down and giving up the dogs.
A post by Derrick Tan, founder of dog rescue group Voices For Animals (VFA), shared about the adoption opportunity.
"We took over several dogs from a breeder that is closing, this is the first batch and there will be more coming up," he wrote.
"Due to the space constraint, manpower and financial, we can only help batches by batches."
According to the post, all the dogs are adults, and there are no puppies.
Three of the dogs are male, while the rest are female.
The youngest are estimated to be two to three years old.
Some of the dogs have medical conditions that the future owners need to follow up on, Tan added, while some of their medical conditions require a hefty amount for treatment.
Answer questionnaire before adoptingTan's post also included a lengthy questionnaire for interested adopters to fill in.
The purpose is to streamline and whittle down the prospective adopters who are recognised to be responsible, able and interested.
Some of the questions include, "Are you able to commit to their medical needs should they get unwell?", as well as "Are you able to commit till their very end?"
Purpose of questionnaireIn the comments section of his post, Tan also provided examples of questions and requests he would not entertain from prospective adopters.
These questions include those asking if the dogs are good with children, as well as requests for dogs that are healthy.
In response, Tan wrote that children ought to be trained to be well-mannered around dogs, and questioned those keen on adoption on what would happen if an adopted dog turned out to be unwell.
Tan also reiterated that there will be no preferential treatment in choosing adopters as everyone has to go through the same process.
He wrote: "If my family and friends who are interested, please go through the same process too, if you have friends who are interested, please do not ask them to contact me, they are also required to drop an email and answer all the above mentioned questions."
Name: Ila
Gender: Female
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: Brown
Age: 4-5 years old
Medical: Slight ear infection, under treatment
Behaviour: Very shy and gentle girl
Remarks: Loves holding her ear and run around thinking it's her toy.
Name: Smiley
Gender: Female
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: Brown
Age: 2-3 years old
Medical: Nil
Behaviour: Shy and sweet
Remarks: She just loves to present her smiley face
Name: Carey
Gender: Female
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: brown
Age: 2-3 years old
Medical: Nil
Behaviour: Very shy girl
Name: Jumpy
Gender: Female
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: Brown
Age: 2-3 years old
Medical: Nil
Behaviour: Very active girl
Remarks: Needs to put on weight, loves jumping out of the enclosure
Name: Puti
Gender: Female
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: Brown
Age: 5-6 years old
Medical: Slight skin issues
Behaviour: Very shy
Name: Hitam
Gender: Female
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: Black
Age: 3-4 years old
Medical: Nil
Behaviour: Shy
Name: Choco
Gender: Male
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: Chocolate
Age: 3-4 Years old
Medical: Slight skin issue
Behaviour: Playful
Name: Aibo
Gender: Male
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: Brown
Age: 3-4 years old
Medical: Nil
Behaviour: Shy
Name: Aiko
Gender: Female
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: Brown
Age: 3-4 years old
Behaviour: Shy girl
Name: Cocky
Gender: Male
Breed: English Cocker Spaniel
Colour: Brown white
Age: 3-4 years old
All photos via Derrick Tan
Cost Of Living Ireland: Ten Most Expensive Dog Breeds To Insure
Buying or adopting a dog is a very expensive decision.
There can be lots of unforeseen expenses involved in the process - from microchipping them, toys and pet insurance.
Insurance specialists at A-Plan Insurance analysed data to discover the average monthly cost of pet insurance for different breeds and shared their findings with RSVP Live.
Read more: Vet issues stark warning as four dogs die after walks at Fermanagh lake
Taking the title of the most expensive dog breed to insure is the English Bulldog. They're sweet-natured, excellent with children, and don't require too much exercise – but with this breed, you can expect an average insurance cost of €77.58 a month, equating to €930.96 annually. Due to being flat-faced, English Bulldogs suffer from brachycephalic syndrome, which consists of long-term breathing problems as well as difficulty cooling down in warm weather.
Second on the list is the French Bulldog, descendants of the English Bulldog. The breed is favoured by many celebrities including David Beckham and Hugh Jackman, and their small size and quiet demeanour makes them loveable to say the least; however, the breed has an average cost of €63.85 each month, making that €766.20 a year. Not only are French Bulldogs are brachycephalic like the English Bulldog, but they are also prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), which causes problems like back and neck pain and difficulty walking.
Third is the German Shepherd, known to be one of the most loyal dog breeds, not to mention that they are one of the smartest. However, while these are desirable traits, insuring this breed will set you back €44.51 a month – or €534.12 a year. Over the years, German Shepherds have been bred to enhance some features which has led to lots of health issues, Hip Dysplasia being one of these; this condition consists of symptoms like groin pain and limping.
Ten most expensive dog breeds to insureFourth on the list is the Labrador Retriever. They are one of the most common breeds used for guide dogs, so their intelligence can't be doubted; but the average cost of insurance for this breed is €36.43 a month, making that €437.16 annually. Labs are high at risk of Arthritis due to having problems with their joints, which can cause limping, a stiff walk, and irritability.
Fifth in the ranking is the Golden Retriever. Known for being playful, affectionate, and easy to train, Golden Retrievers make great family dogs. Although, €28.34 is the average monthly cost of insurance which equates to €340.08 a year. Goldens have a high chance of developing cancers such as Lymphoma, which includes symptoms like difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
The Miniature Schnauzer is sixth in the ranking. This breed is hypoallergenic, so they can be a great choice for those with pet allergies – but their insurance cost is an average of €28.18 a month, or €338.16 a year. Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to Pancreatitis, a disease which can cause repeated vomiting, dehydration, and even a hunched back.
Seventh on the list is the English Springer Spaniel. Due to their friendly nature and their ability to learn quick, they are a good fit for first time dog owners – but with them comes an average insurance bill of €27.07 a month, equating to €324.84 annually. Springer Spaniels are susceptible to Patent Ductus Arteriosus, a heart condition which can cause shortness of breath, weak limbs and weight loss.
Read More Related Articles Read More Related ArticlesIn eighth place is the Cocker Spaniel, a high energy breed that thrives outdoors – making them a perfect match to an active owner. Insuring Cocker Spaniels costs an average of €€26.51 a month, or €318.12 a year. Chronic Hepatitis is one of the health issues that many Cocker Spaniels can suffer from, a condition associated with the liver; symptoms include weight loss, vomiting, and even seizures.
Crossbreeds take the ninth spot on the list, with an average insurance cost of €26.45 each month, or €317.40 for the whole year. As different breeds have different personalities, owners can never predict the traits of a crossbreed – so they're suitable for owners who aren't too picky. While health issues in these dogs can vary depending on what breeds they are a mix of, there's a risk of conditions such as Hip Dysplasia and Arthritis which are common across many breeds.
Last on the list is the Border Terrier. They are known to be low-maintenance, eager to please, and they also get along well with other dogs if they are well-socialised from being a puppy. Insuring border terriers will cost an average of €20.81, or €249.72 annually. Cataracts are common in older Border Terriers, a condition which can cause blindness if left untreated.
Most expensive dogs to insure:
English Bulldog - €77.58
French Bulldog - €63.85
German Shepherd - €44.51
Labrador Retriever - €36.43
Golden Retriever - €28.34
Miniature Schnauzer - €28.18
English Springer Spaniel - €27.07
Cocker Spaniel - €26.51
Crossbreed - €26.45
Border Terrier - €20.81
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RSVP Whatsapp QR CodeAre Golden Cocker Spaniels Really More Aggressive?
New research on the health of cocker spaniels resulted in a flurry of headlines, but David Tomlinson looks deeper into the science'
Golden cockers have been shown to be more prone to aggression than any other colour
Where does the story of golden cocker spaniels suffering from rage come from? You might never have heard of VetCompass — I admit I hadn't until recently — but it's a search engine operated by the Royal Veterinary College that indexes millions of clinical records collected from vets' practices and referral centres. The data produced allows researchers to use these records to create an evidence base that can then be used by vets to improve the health and welfare of animals.
Golden cocker 'rage'VetCompass came into the news last month following publication of its study on cocker spaniels. The study was wide-ranging: it found the most common health problems in cockers include dental disease, ear infection, obesity and aggression, but it was the latter that caught the attention of the popular press. Lurid headlines about "golden cocker rage" followed, with warnings that such dogs could be more aggressive than a rottweiler.
The study noted that cockers have long been one of the most popular family dogs in the UK and that the breed is generally considered to be fairly healthy. However, the Kennel Club recommends that breeders should screen their dogs for several conditions including eye disorders, hip dysplasia and a wide range of hereditary diseases. Despite these recommendations, there has been relatively little information until now on the health of cockers in the UK.
Periodontal disease is the most commonly recorded specific disorder in cocker spaniels
Working or show type cockersFrustratingly, but not surprisingly, the study makes no differentiation between working-type cockers and those bred for pets or show. The two types are, of course, quite distinct, but as far as I am aware there are no statistics that attempt to work out the percentage of working-type cockers compared to their longer-eared cousins.
The VetCompass study was based on veterinary clinical records of no fewer than 10,313 cockers from an overall sample of 336,865 UK dogs of all breeds. The study notes that cockers made up 3.1% of all the dogs on the database, a reminder of the popularity of the breed.
Interestingly, periodontal disease, a dental disease affecting the tissues that hold the teeth in place, was the most commonly recorded specific disorder in cockers, and was diagnosed in 20.97% of dogs annually. This, I suspect, has nothing to do with genetics but a lot more to do with how dogs are fed. Gum disease is common in all dogs fed on soft food, though it can be prevented by giving bones or raw food (gnawing helps clean teeth naturally), or regular teeth cleaning. (Read how to look after your dog's teeth.)
The next most commonly recorded disorder, found in 10.09% of dogs, was otitis externa (inflammation of the external ear canal). Next up was obesity/overweight, a problem affecting 9.88% of cockers. Again, this reflects poor husbandry. Dogs, whatever the breed, only get fat if they are overfed and under-exercised, which is the sad fate of many pets.
Other common problems were anal-sac impaction (8.07%), diarrhoea (4.87%) and aggression (4.01%). The study commented that the "order of these top disorders in English cocker spaniels was similar to those previously reported in dogs overall; however, the frequency of each disorder was generally higher than the general dog population, possibly because several of these conditions are related to the longer ears and looser skin… with higher risk of some disorders related to their specific body shape."
Solid coloursThough I may well be wrong, I suspect that aggression is more of a problem in pet-type cockers than workers, as I have rarely come across an aggressive working cocker. According to the study, the frequency of aggression differed depending on the sex and coat colour of the spaniels: aggression was more common in dogs than bitches, and in solid-coloured rather than multi-coloured individuals. Intriguingly, the risk of aggression varied widely between the four most common solid coat colours. Golden dogs showed the highest frequency of aggression (12.08%), followed by red (6.52%), black (6.29%) and liver (4.33%).
Karolina Engdahl, epidemiologist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and lead author of the paper, commented: "English cocker spaniels are popular family dogs and can make fantastic pets. However, we found that aggression was relatively common in the breed, especially in golden cocker spaniels. This highlights the importance of focusing good breeding on behavioural as well as physical health."
This is, of course, true with any breed and not just cockers. The reason for so-called "golden cocker rage" remains unknown, but it is thought to be genetic as there's no other explanation.
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