Bolwarra Cocker Spaniels

08/12/2024

Our latest litter have found loving homes but this little fella is feeling bit lonely

14/11/2024

Here is our litter sired by Ch Bolwarra Down To The Wire and Dam Ch Bolwarra Dressed For Success we still have one orange roan boy available this is Hudson’s first litter and Scarlet’s last litter eight weeks old

07/10/2024

Evelyn and Lilly are giving puppies social time

06/10/2024

Puppies eating and they love it

06/10/2024

Puppies four weeks old today

15/09/2024

Yes they are here lovely babies 1 week old so please email me if interested I have four available black gold and orange roan

16/08/2024

Written by Julia Baxter but sharing for education. The number of merle cockers I'm seeing is terrifying for the breed 😔

I thought I’d just clarify a few points regarding breeding, buying and registering of Merle dogs. The following are facts.

Breeds of dog that can be registered with the Kennel Club with the colour Merle:

Australian Shepherd
Beauceron
Bergamasco
Border Collie
Dachshund (colour known as Dapple)
Great Dane
Pyrenean sheepdog (long haired)
Collie (Rough)
Collie (smooth)
Shetland Sheepdog
Corgi (Cardigan Welsh)

The Kennel Club states :

“If your puppy is of a breed not mentioned and is merle, we regret that it will not be possible to register it. You must not register it as another colour.”

Cocker Spaniel is not on the list therefore it is not possible to register a cocker spaniel as Merle.

If you have been sold a Merle cocker with Kennel Club certificates than this has been fraudulent.

Some breeders have got around this by advertising “Merle” litters but registering them as “Roan”. This is again fraudulent.

Merle markings are present at birth whereas Roan markings tend to show through later.

Having a Non KC Merle cocker spaniel doesn’t make it legitimate. It isn’t possible to have a Merle cocker spaniel without it being a crossbreed. I believe that Collies and Dachshunds are generally the breeds being used to cross with cockers. If this is the case you have a cocker cross.

There is no such thing as a Merle cocker.

You can have a Merle cocker cross, just as you can have a Sprocker, Cockerpoo, labradoodle etc

If this is what you intended to buy and you are happy with your choice then that’s absolutely 100% fine. The reason for this post is to make people aware that there are unscrupulous breeders who hoodwink people into buying something that doesn’t exist.

How is Merle inherited?

“This type of coat is caused by a variation of a particular gene. Each dog has two copies of every gene; one that they inherit from their mother and one they inherit from their father.
The merle gene variant is dominant, which means that a dog only needs one copy, inherited from either of their parents, to have a Merle coat.”

Health concerns.

The Kennel Club will not register puppies out of two Merle parents.

“Dogs that have two copies of the merle gene variant, inherited from both of their parents, have an increased risk of problems with their eyes and ears, causing blindness and/or deafness.”

I hope this has clarified things a bit and that people will take time to read the information. There really is a bit more going on then “pretty colouring” and “rare markings”. Make sure you don’t get conned!!

For those that have regrettedly fallen into the trap, your dog will, I’m sure be a healthy and happy pet/worker!! Breeding from these dogs is not advised.

Photos show Merle on the left - Roan on the right.

24/04/2024

Puppies having a play we still have puppies available

16/04/2024

Just too cute to resist

16/04/2024

He is available

16/04/2024

Another available

16/04/2024

One of my puppies available

12/04/2024

14/03/2024

Cocker Spaniel Breed Highlight

Cocker Spaniels were developed in Britain and were originally known as the wood-cocking spaniel because of their ability to go through the undergrowth and flush out the Woodcock bird.

Known as the “Merry Cocker”, this little dog is friendly, affectionate and loyal, with an ever-wagging tail. He is an intelligent animal and is easy to train, happy to work and happy to play.

The Cocker Spaniel sheds twice a year and unless he is clipped off, this long, silky coat will require regular and thorough grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

Cocker Spaniels thrive on human company and make excellent companions for almost everyone. They will suit an active family as well as less active seniors. Cockers are renowned for loving their food and diligence is required to ensure they do not become overweight. They can do almost anything including obedience and other dog sports such as Agility, Flyball, and Conformation dog shows, as well as being a lovable pet.

14/03/2024

Just a little hairy he is so cute I haven’t trimmed it because it makes him look like a cheeky monkey that he is would you like him to be your Cheeky monkey

14/03/2024

Just such a handsome boy don’t let him fool you he can be such a character and so very waggy, he will steal your heart

10/03/2024

We took our little black boy to A show on Saturday and he won Minor Puppy in Group at this show this was his third show and the third time he has won this award it is a hat trick