To buy one of these puppies?

[thefudgeling]

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.

“Yes he has spent quite a bit of time with SILs puppies and loves them”

Fair enough just thought I’d mention it as I wasn’t really expecting that from my DS, I mean he was a teenager so he just stayed in his room, lol

Yes Wolfie we are looking into that :)
The ones my friend fosters are wonderful.

I wouldn't. We have a rescue in our family who we got when she was 2.5 and she had bred three litters by then and she's got lifelong conditions. I wouldn't line the breeders pockets with money, possibly motivating them to breed again. Poor pup.

Have a look at 'failed' police dogs too, they usually have programmes for their spaniels that don't make the cut as detection dogs

I would second the failed guide dog idea, my gran used to look after them/train them as pups and ended up adopting three failures! They're really lovely dogs.

If you are after a spaniel please look at ‘Save our Spaniels’ website and fb page. This is a rescue near me and this lady rescues spaniels from Spain. She has a litter coming in soon and she does great work.

www.saveourspaniels.co.uk/

We had a lab for 14 years, a Springer for 9 and have had our current show cocker for nearly 6 years.
We considered a working cocker but decided they need too much stimulation for us, even though we live in the country and walk a lot as a family.
Our show cocker is fabulous, a real character and very devoted, but I'd have a lab every time if young children are in the mix - our girl was the most gentle, placid and sweet natured dog and wonderful when our DCs were growing up.
If you are Keen on spaniels, have a look at Spaniel Aid - they have some fantastic young dogs come up that are looking for homes.

We have a show cocker, from a reputable breeders who considers the temperament of dogs before breeding, as well as, obviously physical traits etc. He is a wonderful dog, calm, trusting and trusted. He can walk / run a long way because we do but many in his family get 45/60 minutes a day. He is happy to fit in with us.

Working cockers are, as the name implies, bred to work. No less adorable at all but much higher energy and in need of much more stimulation. The ones are know are fabulously crazy. But as a dog for a child with autism, a show cocker would suit you better.

Thanks floot and shutit for the spaniel rescue contacts. And thanks again everyone for telling me what I needed to hear. I feel a sense of relief having turned them down, although sad for the dogs.

Oh I have just looked at Save Our spaniels website. There are some gorgeous young dogs and some puppies on there.
I need to talk to DH about an older dog.

There are some lovely dogs on there. They are quite strict (rightly!) in assessing potential new homes, if I was looking for another dog I would definitely contact them !