Decided to get a puppy. Is this the correct way to go about it? (Valhalla? advice? )

[tiredemma]

We have wanted a family dog for a long time (too long)- work commitments have put us against it and we felt that boys were too young.

My job is changing so I will be at home more frequently - Dp works from home more now and DS1 is going to secondary school in sept (and we expect him to be a bit more responsible at home- so can help out with pup). I think that now is as good as time as any to finally commit to getting a pet.

we want a puppy- after much research (and fawning over neighbours dog) we have decided on a Cocker Spaniel puppy. I have looked all around internet, got lots of fab information, looked at KC club and found a reputable breeder about 30 miles away.

Pups are due mid april, he has stated that we can go and meet 'the parents' (we are going this weekend) and between birth and bringing pup home, we can visit to see the puppy two or three times.

It all sounds perfect ( I think). I want the boys to 'wait' as i want to make sure that they still have this 'eagerness' - don't want it all to be a fad etc.

is this the right way to do it? A couple of people have told us to 'just go out and find a puppy now' - I'm confused.

Any advice appreciated- even if its a 'run a mile'

[momnipotent]

My personal bias is to get a dog from a rescue rather than a breeder. But that is completely my personal opinion. Rescues sometimes have puppies, I am fostering one right now (in Canada though, so no use to you), you just might not be able to pick a specific breed or time period.

[yesbutnobut]

I don't think waiting until April is unreasonable. Main thing would be to meet the mum and assess her temperament, as well as check out the credentials and set up of the breeder (do they breed frequently/more than one breed/what is the cleanliness of the premises/are the pups kept indoors?) . Have you researched the relevant health checks for cockers? The 'cockersonline' internet forum often gets a good write up on here - why not check that out? I would have thought they would have a 'buying a puppy' checklist. For me I think it's very important the pups are brought up within the family and not kept out in a pen or outhouse.

[batsintheroof]

THIS is the reason you must make sure the breeder gives you all the necessary health checks for the parents of the puppy- research what genetic problems there are in the breed, then ensure the parents have been tested for them.

[batsintheroof]

www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/health.htm

[AnEcumenicalMatter]

The initial indications are encouraging.

Good breeders prefer to meet the prospective family and have the family meet their adult dogs before the litter has arrived. You can tell a lot about people by seeing them interact with adult dogs, even more so when there's no distraction of cute, fluffy puppies.

They should be happy to produce all relevant health test results for the parents (likely without even being asked). Eye test results should be clear and dated within the last 12 months (as eye conditions often aren't detected until the dog is a little older and have to be repeated annually to ensure that the dog remains clear).

I would be wary of a breeder that owns mother and father of the litter (or if daady belongs to a neighbour/friend/relative)..this usually indicates that they have just put the most convenient 2 dogs together to produce puppies (very characteristic of backyard breeders) and not bred with consideration for producing the healthiest possible puppies with the best temperaments by using the most suitable dog which good breeders will travel hundreds of miles (and pay stud fees) to do.

And prepare for a grilling. Good breeders strive to find the perfect home for their puppies and will interrogate new owners. Also, be prepared to be knocked back. Just because they've invited you to meet them and thier dogs doesn't mean it's a done deal that they will think you are suitable to have a pup even if you decide you want one.

[Scuttlebutter]

OK, some questions about the breeder, which will reveal a lot. Do they only breed cockers? Are they licensed by the local authority? How did you find them? Do they advertise? If so where? Do they show, or work their dogs? Why do they breed? What do they do with their retired bitches? How do they select their stud dogs? This excellent website here gives a list of the health issues associated with the breed - note in particular the hip and eye scores you should be asking about.

[Lizcat]

Only thing to add is that eye testing can now be done by optigen genetic testing and therefore only needs to be done once in the dogs life. If one parent is a heterozygote the other must be homozygote non affected.

[tiredemma]

Thank you so much for your wonderful, helpful advice.

Really really helpful.

will keep you all updated.