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AIBU?

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Original poster

To buy one of these puppies?

37 replies

thefudgeling · 07/06/2018 17:50

Friend of a friend is selling puppies. Parents are beloved family pets, 2.5 and 4 yrs old. Second litter. No more planned. Dad show type cocker mum working type cocker. Pups and parents healthy but no info on grandparent lines. I asked the owner if she asked for health certificates when buying the parents but it just doesn't seem to be something she'd considered. Pup would come with pack inc vaccinations, worming etc. Would it be crazy to buy one?
We have done a lot of research and are certain re breed, time needed for a dog, training etc all covered (to avoid drip feeding), but all the advice on the web says always get health scores for hereditary conditions.

OP posts:
Thehop · 07/06/2018 17:55

I have a show type cocker and she’s wonderful. However I have a friend who got a pup with parents who were PRa carriers (I think that’s the right one)

Apparently cockers are screened for it before the kennel club allow them to breed but this was a hobby breeder who didn’t get the check.

It was very sad, they had a very poorly pup who had to be put to sleep very young.

I would probably pay the extra and get one from a reputable breeder or go to the cocker spaniel rescue. They have some wonderful dogs who need homes.

Enjoy your dog, ours has been the best decision I ever made!

DeepFatFriar · 07/06/2018 17:56

No more planned. LOL yeah right!

WorraLiberty · 07/06/2018 17:57

I just really couldn't line their pockets with cash tbh

Wolfiefan · 07/06/2018 17:59

Second litter at two and a half! Poor bitch.
I wouldn't. The advice is for a good reason.
If you want a cocker then I would contact the breed club.

CleverQuacks · 07/06/2018 18:02

I am not sure if it’s possible but could you get the puppy checked before you comit to it or does it have to be the grandparents that are checked? It would be heart breaking to get a pup that turned out to be poorly.

tabulahrasa · 07/06/2018 18:03

“but all the advice on the web says always get health scores for hereditary conditions.”

Because the health conditions they test for are life altering or life limiting, they’re not little things you really want to gamble with.

Also second litter at 2 1/2? So bred while still growing or bred back to back? Either means the bitch won’t be in top condition and that can affect puppies too.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 07/06/2018 18:03

Bluntly, no. And I couldn't be friends with anyone treating their dogs as breeding machines. This is the definition of backyard breeding and I wouldn't be funding them and encouraging them to continue doing so.
Appalling.

UpstartCrow · 07/06/2018 18:03

Is it the bitch thats 2.5? Second litter by 2.5? If so steer clear and don't encourage them.
If the bitch is the 4 year old offer them £20 to cover the cost of food and accept you are risking having to spend money in the long run on an unhealthy puppy.

They haven't spent any money on vet bills, they've used OTC worming syrup. The pups aren't vaccinated, and if the mother isn't then she may not have passed on any maternal antibodies.

mustbemad17 · 07/06/2018 18:05

Don't do it. The health issues cockers can have are expensive...my folks bought a worker & a show (one of each) without realising about health certs (different system in Germany for registering) & have had so many issues.

I also would be loathe to line somebody's pockets who hasn't considered health implications...especially someone who has a 2.5 year old bitch on her second litter!!

EmmaGellerGreen · 07/06/2018 18:10

Definitely not for all the reasons above. Also, show and working cockers are very different creatures. Which type do you want? Then find a decent breeder and go from there.

nellieellie · 07/06/2018 18:13

Look on the KC website for a list of health tests recommended for breeders to carry out. As well as HD screening there are DNA tests for a number of eye conditions cockers are prone to. A good breeder carries out tests on their bitch before mating and only mates to a tested dog. Don’t risk it.

MrsMrsMrsMrs · 07/06/2018 18:15

Please have a little look at rescue doggos too. They have all sorts, young and old who really need a home x

Original poster
thefudgeling · 07/06/2018 18:23

Thank you all. I knew you would all talk sense into me. I have now texted texted them to say we are not interested.
They are not my friends and I think it is irresponsible what they are doing and goes against everything I have read. Think it was the mum that is 2.5.

I am on the list with several local rescues, but it is hard to find suitable rescue dogs as we have cats, and my son is autistic and so we would prefer a puppy/young dog that can be trained as a support for him.

OP posts:
HildaZelda · 07/06/2018 18:23

Second litter at 2 1/2 is terrible. Friends of mine have a Cocker who has a constant stream of health problems. They bought him from a work colleague, saw the parents and were led to believe that the mother was 4. They found out afterwards that she was only 1 and had a litter of TWELVE pups.

Original poster
thefudgeling · 07/06/2018 18:25

Emma we had decided on working cocker on advice from a few people I know who have them. Do you have any advice either way?
I just got (almost) sucked in by the photos of these pups, and the parents who looked beautiful.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 07/06/2018 18:26

Can you take advice on the support thing? Puppies are hard work and bitey! How do you want it to provide support?
There was a TV programme a while ago where they followed people getting pups. One of those was about a support dog. I think they got advice from someone about choosing the right dog. Very interesting.
Also don't rule out other rescues. Eg BRX put dogs in foster so they can give you a full picture. Same with ELGR

Original poster
thefudgeling · 07/06/2018 18:33

Hi Wolfie. The aupport aspect is mainly emotional and so we have been advised that it is easier to bond the dog to the child if they are a puppy? I have an autistic colleague who is training her working cocker to support her at work. She gets advice from an org called Darwin dogs.

OP posts:
mustbemad17 · 07/06/2018 18:35

Going from my folks' dogs, there are some big differences between working & show. My mum's working male is full on, even now at 11. Will go out for a 3 hour walk, come home for a drink & will bounce to go back out again. Brilliant for things like agility or brain training (altho he's a buggar if he sees a small animal of any kind; the training goes out the bloody window).

The worker is a couch potato. Will happily walk for 3 hours as long as she can plod at her own pace, but if it rains she gives you the 'are you taking the piss?' look. She has had a lot of ear problems which is apparently a cocker trait. She puts on weight faster than the worker too.

Obviously this is just from seeing the two together at home, but both were brought up from day 1 together so no obvious differences on upbringing

Wolfiefan · 07/06/2018 18:35

Great contact. I think the programme focused on the pup training to know when the child was overwhelmed. The dog would get close to the child, provide a way of grounding and reassuring them (if that makes sense?!) Very interesting but all sounded very difficult to a novice like me who finds just basic training with a pup quite hard enough! Blush
Are certain breeds recommended?

tabulahrasa · 07/06/2018 18:37

“The aupport aspect is mainly emotional and so we have been advised that it is easier to bond the dog to the child if they are a puppy?”

Hmm, cockers tend to be on the bitier end of puppies...

Has your DS spent time with puppies that age? My DS has autism, he basically hated our dog until it hit about one, too unpredictable and couldn’t cope with all the mouthing.

Original poster
thefudgeling · 07/06/2018 18:38

Hi wolfie. I believe working cockers and labs are recommended. I will try and speak to them and do a bit more research. Thanks for the rescue info I will look into them. Also looking into guide dogs as have a friend who fosters them during training.

OP posts:
Maelstrop · 07/06/2018 18:39

Working cockers need a LOT of exercise. They’re much more lively than the show types. Many of them need a job to occupy their busy minds. I think one could be an amazing assistance dog, a friend has sourced a pup which she is going to train up as a PAT dog. However, you need an experienced person to help you choose a suitable pup then it will need a great deal of training to suit your purposes.

Spaniels can be prone to issues eg cruciate injury, hip dysplasia (mine has this). I’d want hip scores from both parents, KC registration, although this isn’t a 100% guarantee for the pups, but you can trace lineage and health scores. You want a clear eye score and PRa check. Look up the recommended health tests and don’t accept health checks at the vet, that is pointless. You want proper health testing, BVA etc.

Original poster
thefudgeling · 07/06/2018 18:40

Hi tabulah. Yes he has spent quite a bit of time with SILs puppies and loves them. If anything he gets a bit too giddy with the excitement, although that was a couple of years ago and he is much calmer and more sensible now!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 07/06/2018 18:40

I think there's a long waiting list but a "failed" guide dog? Would have basic training and hopefully a calm and trainable nature.

MrsMrsMrsMrs · 07/06/2018 18:41

I have friends who have rehomed ‘failed guide dogs’ - I thought that was a very worthwhile place to get a dog, might be worth looking into.