Cocker Spaniel puppies and dogs in Dorchester, Ontario

**IF THIS LISTING IS STILL POSTED THIS DOG IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. NO NEED TO EMAIL ASKING IF THE DOG IS AVAILABLE. PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS BIO THOROUGHLY AS INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY IS CONTAINED IN THIS LISTING** For Adoption: Apricot! Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/. Meet Apricot a 6 year old mid-size 20 lbs cocker spaniel who was recently rescued from puppy mill life and who is cautiously exuberant to explore this new found freedom. Her name reflects her colouring which is soft, warm and inviting and matches perfectly with her personality. With her foster family she is known as Happy Appie because she welcomes all humans with a wagging tail. We love this dog very much and want to share with you how great she is! Like many mill dogs she is working through learning about life in the big, wide world as she learns to say goodbye to her old life and attempts to comprehend what it means to become a much loved pet. She tries very hard to understand what is now required of her and always does her best to please. Initially she would cower when first approached by humans and would maintain a rigid posture hoping for the best, evidence of the negativity of previous handlings. A slow, gentle, quiet approach allowing her to make the first move towards you proved to somewhat calm her fears. She is looking for a home with someone around frequently who is patient and committed to helping her build some newly required skills. She is easily startled and reacts to loud noise by moving away to seek shelter elsewhere. Initially reluctant to move beyond the safety of her humans Apricot can now be seen willingly exploring every facet of her backyard. She loves the freedom of running wild back there. She is thrilled when she spots a squirrel scampering along the fence line and enjoys the challenge of this make believe play. She walks on leash and eagerly takes in every scent along the way. A short leash is preferable as she is still learning this skill and does have a tendency to go from side to side. For only 20lbs she can be strong and she has a desire to chase squirrels and bunnies so her person needs to be able to confidently control her on leash when she wishes to pull. She was recently introduced to pack dog walks and this proved to be a very successful learning experience for her. Walking on leash remains a new learning experience for her and so obedience classes will be very beneficial to mastering this particular skill and also allow much needed confidence building and socialization. If you are looking for a pet who is quiet, laid back and committed to pleasing you then this is the gal for you. She is perfectly happy spending the majority of her time resting, preferably close to her humans. She needs a secure fenced yard for her beloved yard roaming time, and a good walk or 2 a day, but she isnt a high energy dog and is quite happy to chill with her people most of the day as long as she gets her outside time. Upon arrival Appie quickly bonded with her foster family following them around consistently from room to room. Eventually as time progressed she would remain on her pet bed and just stretch her neck to make sure she could see you should you go to another room. Apricot does not like being left behind and initially voiced her opposition to this by barking. Spending short periods of time behind a door separating us where she could be redirected when she barked proved to be effective. As long as she felt someone was around she felt safe and would settle down for longer periods of time. At this point she can easily be left for 3 to 4 hour periods. Eager to bond Appie feels very safe in close proximity to her humans so care should always be taken to make sure that she is not underfoot when moving around even inside the home, Should she be heading towards something unacceptable a quick aah, aah, will be her clue for redirection. She has had only a few accidents in the house upon arrival but has learned to hold it and knows now that she gets regular outdoor time to relieve herself. Treat motivated training is not her thing but she does enjoy being told that she is a good girl. She is motivated by praise and affection. Apricot has a soft, flowing coat which requires some brushing to prevent matting. She tolerates being brushed and will sit somewhat quietly for short durations. She will need professional grooming every few months to stay tidy and free of mats. Apricot loves her crate. This is definitely her safe space. The crate door is usually left open and she will often wander into it throughout the day. At nighttime she will look to see that her human is close and then let herself into her crate and you never hear a peep from her until morning and even then she will let you set your own time to get up. She is a good travelling passenger. Somewhat hesitant to jump into the car, once inside she settles quickly and never makes a fuss. Apricot needs a quiet neighbourhood without a lot of hustle and bustle. She would do well in a rural setting, small town or quiet subdivision but is not suited for living on a busy road or in an urban setting. Apricot has done well in public greeting all humans with a wagging tail and submissive posturing. She is good with cats who will not run from her (dog savvy ones) and enjoys most dogs although she has been known to be cautious around larger dogs. On walks she is eager to encounter other dogs especially smaller ones. She is thrilled to see that there are squirrels everywhere and would be happy to engage in some kind of pursuit. Apricot would most likely be happiest either as an only dog basking up all the attention or with a calm, mature, smaller canine friend. Apricot treats kids much the same way she does adults. Their abruptness and noise level would most likely scare her so older children, over 10yrs of age, would be a better fit. Mill dogs are flight risks so everyone in the home needs to be very cautious around the door and make sure it is never left open for her to dart out of. Apricot is doing her best to understand this new life and although she really, really wants to please she is very new to all things dog and as noted before not treat motivated so training is delivered through slow gentle movements, soft gentle voices and quiet environments. Obedience training in this regard would be very beneficial to help her develop new skills such as walking on leash, listening to her person when distracted by dogs around her and understanding directions given by her humans. Apricot has been spayed and microchipped. She is up to date on vaccines, has tested negative for Heartworm and Tick Borne diseases and has received all her deworming. She had some mammary masses removed and we had them tested and they were benign. She also had a dental in our care and had 8 extractions. Her mouth is all clean and healthy now but it is to be expected that as she ages another dental will be required in the future, but this is the case for most smaller/med sized dogs and anyone interested in her needs to be prepared for that. The vets say that she was well behaved when in their care. Apricot has grown in many ways during her foster stay. She is a very easy keeper and doesnt ask for a lot, just some outdoor time, and lots of cuddles and snuggles inside. We absolutely love this sweet dog and know she is going to be a great companion for a Spaniel lover. She would do best in a quiet home, with someone who would enjoy leisurely walks and the company of a loyal friend. She will need time to continue coming out of her shell as she develops the skills of a family pet, and your gentleness and kindness will help guide her through this transition. Apricot will flourish with proper training. Shes left her past behind and is ready to fill your home with happy dances, wagging tails and unconditional love. Name: Apricot ID # PDR1508 Age: 6yrs Gender: female Spayed: yes UTD vaccines: yes Breed: Cocker Spaniel Colours: red Coat length: med House trained: yes Special needs: no OK with kids: older OK with cats: only very dog savvy cats Ok with dogs: yes Status: adoptable Microchip: yes Size: med Location: Cambridge Adoption fee: $700

**IF THIS LISTING IS STILL POSTED THIS DOG IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. NO NEED TO EMAIL ASKING IF THE DOG IS AVAILABLE. PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS BIO THOROUGHLY AS INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY IS CONTAINED IN THIS LISTING** For Adoption: Perla! Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/. Perla is a joyful 6-year-old Cocker Spaniel with a beautiful rust-coloured coat and unique heterochromia - one blue eye and one brown eye - making her truly stunning. She weighs around 20 pounds but has big dog energy packed into her small frame. With her large, floppy feathered ears and wispy hair that dances in the wind, Perla turns heads everywhere she goes and receives compliments wherever she ventures. Perla’s story began in a puppy mill, where life was far from kind. She was used for breeding and arrived in our care with severe matting that required immediate attention. As with many dogs of this breed, she thrives on human companionship and can experience separation anxiety, which she has shown. She does not enjoy being crated for long periods, so patience and gentle reassurance will be key as she continues building confidence. While she has already come a long way and gained confidence, she truly loves being around her people as much as possible. Perla would do best in a home where someone is around most of the time, work-from-home or hybrid families would be ideal. She is incredibly sweet and settled in quickly with us, happily joining her foster brothers on walks right away. She would thrive with older children, over 8yrs, who can help provide a calm, structured environment and continue her training. On walks, she has met children and absolutely adores them, but truthfully, Perla loves everyone she meets. She has adjusted well to city life and, although loud noises can occasionally startle her, she recovers quickly. Perla truly is the whole package - funny, sweet, cuddly, energetic, and very intelligent. Neighbours often stop to admire her cheerful tail wags, and on walks, she keeps her nose to the ground, always curious about her surroundings. Given her breed’s history, it’s no surprise that she loves investigating trees, backyards, and anything that might be hiding nearby. Recently, she has started having adorable morning zoomies and when it’s time to get up, she spins in circles and leaps around the backyard with so much joy. Watching her happiness blossom has been incredibly heartwarming. Crate training is still a work in progress. Perla is comfortable in her crate for short periods when someone is nearby, but she can become vocal when left alone. Despite her small size, she can be quite loud, though she improves a little more each week. She prefers cozy dog beds where she can curl up and nap while her humans work. Her future family should be prepared to continue crate training with patience and positivity. But when it comes to car rides, she travels wonderfully in her crate and remains completely quiet. House training is going very well, she picked it up quickly and reliably signals when she needs to go out by circling or gently nudging you. Perla currently lives with two older dogs and a cat. She loves nothing more than snuggling up with her foster brothers, though she is still figuring out how to play with them. She is very curious about the cat and would do best either with a dog-savvy cat or in a cat-free home, as she doesn’t quite understand yet that chasing and barking aren’t appreciated. On walks, she is interested in wildlife (especially squirrels) and benefits from some redirection. Interestingly, she shows little interest in other dogs when out and about. Perla is learning “sit” and has already made great progress with recall. She is respectful in the home and has shown no interest in chewing slippers, shoes, or other household items. Continued positive training will strengthen her bond with her family and help her grow into the incredible companion she is meant to be. She is eager to please and thrives with routine, making training a rewarding experience. Perla is fully vetted, spayed, and in overall good health. She does have a low grade heart murmur noted by the vet, but she is currently doing well. This has no effect on her at this time. She is calm and affectionate during vet visits, soaking up all the attention. When she arrived, her coat was severely matted, and she had dermatitis along with yeast and bacterial ear infections, all of which have been successfully treated. Going forward, regular grooming, brushing, and ear care will be important to keep her comfortable and looking her best. She has had a full dental in our care as well. She had 8 extractions and there is one tooth that did not require extraction at this time but our vet advised that in a few years it may need to be removed, so potential adopters need to be ok with a possible future dental…but this is to be expected of a dog in their senior years regardless. Perla is now ready to find her forever family - one who will cherish her as deeply as she will cherish them. She is a dog who forms strong, loving bonds and simply wants to be near her people, sharing in everyday moments and offering unwavering companionship. Whether you’re working from home, cooking dinner, enjoying a quiet evening, or out in the yard, Perla will be right by your side - your loyal little shadow, always happy just to be included. In return, she will fill your home with laughter, comfort, and unconditional love. With a patient, understanding family, Perla will continue to blossom into the devoted, joyful companion she was always meant to be. Name: Perla ID # PDR1507 Age: 6yrs Gender: female Spayed: yes UTD vaccines: yes Breed: Cocker Spaniel Colours: red Coat length: med House trained: yes Special needs: no OK with kids: older OK with cats: only very dog savvy cats Ok with dogs: yes Status: adoptable Microchip: yes Size: med Location: Kitchener Adoption fee: $700

🐾 Meet Finley: The Brave, Joy-Filled Burst of Pure Sunshine! Age: DOB Sept 3, 2025 Weight: ~30 lbs Location: Fostered in St. Jacobs, ON Status: Seeking a dedicated forever family! Finley is a vibrant, outgoing puppy who refuses to let his lack of sight slow him down. In fact, he is one of the most confident, brave, and joy-filled dogs you will ever meet! If you are looking for an adventurous companion who greets every day with a wagging tail, Finley is your boy. Personality & Daily Life Finley is a high-energy pup who loves his routine. He is incredibly sweet, affectionate, and happiest when he is close to his "pack." Daily Adventures: He enjoys 15–30 minute walks twice a day, using his incredible sense of smell to explore. When he’s not walking, he loves running around a fully fenced yard or playing with his toys. The Perfect Passenger: Finley is a phenomenal car traveler. He rides in his crate and may fuss briefly before settling in for a nap, comfortably handling rides up to 1.5 hours like a total pro! Downtime: Once he's tired out, he is perfectly content to curl up beside you for a good nap. Social Skills With People: Everyone is a new best friend! Finley greets both in-home and outside visitors with happy enthusiasm, tail wags, and full-body rolls for belly rubs. Due to his puppy energy and blindness, any children in the home must be respectful, dog-savvy, and over 10 years old. With Dogs: Finley loves every dog he meets! He can be a bit rough in play due to puppyhood, but he responds wonderfully to canine corrections and does well with both small and very large breeds. With Cats: No Cats. Finley has a high prey drive and will persistently chase and bark at cats, ignoring their cues. He requires a strictly cat-free home. Training & Adaptability Finley adapts quickly to new environments and is excellent at locating people by voice. He is currently attending an adolescent life skills class and is a quick learner- he is highly food-motivated. Skills: He has mastered "Sit" and has excellent verbal recall. His foster family uses the verbal cue "this way, this way, this way" to safely guide him with their voices, which he responds to beautifully. Leash skills are a work in progress. Potty Routine: Finley is house-trained on a schedule. Because he is a puppy, he requires a family home more often who ensures he goes out promptly after meals and every few hours. Stairs & Boundaries: Finley is confident jumping on/off furniture and going up stairs, but he hesitates to go down them and needs to be carried (he weights around 30lb). Its quite likely he could be trained to go down them but we prefer to keep him on the same floor we are on. Puppy Manners: Like any teething puppy, everything seems chewable, but he redirects easily to appropriate toys. If he gets bored, he might find "toys" like socks or books, so keeping him occupied with chews and mental stimulation is key. Relaxed handling for grooming, ear cleaning, and nail trims is easiest when he is sleepy. Finley's Medical Notes Finley was assessed by Dr. Barboza, a veterinary ophthalmologist. For seriously interested applicants, we are happy to send the full specialist report to your vet clinic for discussion. Diagnosis: He has anterior segment dysgenesis, a congenital malformation of both eyes leading to blindness. He has no sight in his left eye (which also notes microphthalmia, or a small eye) and we believe he can see some shadows in his right eye. Current Status: Finley does not appear to be in any pain or discomfort and currently requires no medications. He has had two follow-up reassessments confirming his eyes are completely stable. Future Care: His adoptive family will simply need to have their regular vet monitor his eyes annually for any changes as he matures but at this time he does not require any special care for his eyes. Management & Guarding Behavior Finley exhibits some resource guarding behaviors around his food, his bowl, and high-value chews. This is easily managed by feeding him in his own separate space, removing his food bowl before releasing him, and monitoring him around the treat cupboard. The Ideal Forever Home To ensure Finley's long-term safety and success, his perfect home must meet the following criteria: A Securely Fenced Yard: A safe, enclosed yard is mandatory. No unfenced pools are permitted for his safety. Dog doors are not permitted. Daytime Availability: Because puppies require frequent bathroom breaks and structure, we will only consider homes where an adult is home often throughout the day. He is comfortable alone for short periods (up to 3 hours). Commitment to Blind Dog Care: A family experienced with blind dogs, or one genuinely committed to learning how to support and maintain a consistent, safe environment for him. Dog Companion Dynamics: He would do well either as an only dog, or paired with a playful, non-dominant canine sibling. Any resident dog must be very patient, as Finley will accidentally bump into or jump on/off of them accidentally when navigating couches and beds. Training Commitment: Adopters are required to enroll in a positive reinforcement method training class as part of Finley's adoption contract to set everyone up for success. Age & Longevity Policy: Based on a puppy's life expectancy of 15–20 years, puppies are not a suitable match for older seniors (65+). Our priority is long-term stability in one forever home. How to Apply Hobo Haven Rescue is located in St. Jacobs, Ontario. Please note that our dogs live in private volunteer foster homes, not a shelter facility, and we do not allow visits until an applicant is pre-approved. An application must be completed and approved—including veterinary references and a home visit—prior to meeting our dogs. 👉 Click Here https://hobohavenrescue.ca/dog-adoption-application to submit an Adoption Application Finley's adoption fee has been reduced due to his blindness, to $500 Our adoption fees do not completely cover the extensive costs incurred by our rescue (including specialist vet expenses, food, and supplies). Anyone questioning adoption fees is invited to call their vet for a quote on providing everything that is completed for our dogs prior to adoption. Due to high volume, priority replies are given to applicants who meet all of Finley's listed criteria. No exceptions to our policies will be made, as they are strictly in the best interest of the dog. Questions? Please email us at hobohavenpetrescue@gmail.com (Emails are best, as our volunteers work full-time!)