HAHA. i was in the same situation with you four years ago. but anyways. I'm definitely happy that you're going for american cocker spaniel. i've got one through a breeder, n' i LOVE my dog SOOO MUCH.
wow. $800 and up? that's crazy. i've got mines for $500 from a caucasian breeder through newspaper, but she lives in north van 8-).
anyways, her name is debra...but i think i've lost her business card...so uh.
i've found this online though ->
http://vancouver.kijiji.ca/f-america...ckerQ20spaniel
the prices seems pretty decent. hope this helped.