Please help me figure out what's wrong with my dog?!

[dreamadream1]

Hi everyone

Posting for traffic.

My lovely, 5 year old sprocker spaniel has been whimpering/pacing/crying ALL day today.

He normally goes for a wee when I get up at 6-7, has some biscuits then lays on my bed or his bed and sleeps most of the day before a walk.

Today he has been the total opposite, I've filled his water bowl with fresh water, he's been walked off lead, I've topped his biscuits up, I've given him cuddles, all the fuss he usually has, he's weeing and been for a number 2, I've played with him on my lunch break with his rope.

I don't know what is wrong with him, I've felt his tummy in case he has tummy ache but he doesn't respond negatively to that, I've checked his paws, his mouth, his eyes there is nothing obvious at all.

He usually sleeps most the day and then has a walk and then he curls up for the night with us. I cannot figure out what is bothering him and it's driving me mad!

[WTAFIhavelosttheferret]

[quote dreamadream1]@chickychicchic she is on the lead whilst in heat. He's off lead as usual. [/quote]
Have you ever tried to separate mating dogs?

That is a very naive approach

[SoVery]

@BachelorDog

Everyone's an expert on MN

There actually are some, very genuine, experts on here. Expert isn't a dirty word.

The clue to my point is in the word 'everyone'.

[Takemetothebar]

@catwithflowers

Mine are not neutered for reasons similar to @Wolfiefan. As @Veterinari said, breed specific reasons can change the balance of pros and cons for neutering.

My bitches are not speyed - and if they were to be it would not be until at least 4 years old as they need to reach maturity. I breed occasionally as part of a global breed programme, so I don’t neuter because I need to assess the dog’s quality at maturity, as well as various medical reasons.

My males are also not routinely neutered for the same reasons, but may be done at around 7 years old because testicular cancer in veterans can be an issue in my breed.

[Veterinari]

[quote dreams1990]@Wolfiefan Why are you so angry?! Go be angry at the people who run puppy farms or mistreat their dogs! [/quote]
Yep because only severe cruelty should be a concern. After all you have a divine right to contribute to overpopulation with non-health tested dogs for commercial gain.

And getting a puppy as stud fee is not 'how it works'. It's just how you have chosen to conduct your business whilst supporting someone else to make thousands - is your friends declaring the additional income she'll make from selling the non-health tested crossbreeds you're planning to produce?

I assume if an average litter of 6 and you each keep one there'll be about 12k profit in it. Especially as you've not bothered to pay for any health tests to ensure a good quality of life for the puppies. Should be a nice little earner.

[Veterinari]

@dreams1990
On the off chance you might actually answer a question.

Why wouldn't you want to do the minimum health testing to ensure a good quality of life for the puppies you're choosing to produce. You say you love dogs - if so why are you choosing not to safeguard the future health and welfare of the pups?
It's baffling

[CandidaAlbicans2]

@dreams1990, no, you’re not running a “puppy farm” but you’re (and your friend) are back yard breeders. The only difference between the 2 is the scale of production. What is your motivation?

I’m not anti reputable breeders, ie those who research bloodlines, breed the best examples of the breed, etc. But you are proposing to mate 2 crosses just because. What, the money? Cute puppies? Because they are top notch search dogs and you hope to produce more of the same?Why? With so many dogs in rescues you morally need to have a very good reason IMHO.

Look at the bigger picture; Ironic that you say “I love dogs, I grew up with rescues”, yet as a back yard breeder you are potentially contributing to the problem of dogs in rescues. Do you/your friend have a waiting list of owners of these new pups? Have you thoroughly vetted each one, done home checks? Well, you can't do home checks at the moment because of lockdown, which is why rescue centres like the Dogs Trust isn't rehoming at the moment despite plenty of dogs still coming in to them.

[dreams1990]

Everybody is so dramatic.

The dog isn't even pregnant, we don't even know if they will mate yet, we aren't forcing it.

She comes from a healthy line, he does too. He's had a litter and they are all lovely and healthy.

Stop making out like I'm some monster. As I said we were going to do it last year but didn't due to covid. If it happened this year the puppies wouldn't be sold until the buyers had come and visited, met mum and dad, could see they were comfortable, checked their experience with dogs etc.

Anyone would think she'd had 6 litters and we'd sold them all online to people we knew nothing about and just took the profit.

We are respectful, decent people.

[WitchQueenofDarkness]

@Wolfiefan

Is he entire? Bitch in season?
Is he peeing more or less than normal? UTI?

Bitch in season was my first thought too. There's one around here at the moment and the dog (male and entire) is standing by the front door desperate to get through it!

[Wolfiefan]

OP you are very far from decent people if you breed without the necessary breed specific health tests.
How would you feel if puppies went on to develop serious hip issues all because you CBA to do the right tests?

[rubybarley]

Don’t breed them, you have no idea what you’re doing. The wold doesn’t need more puppies just because you want it to happen.

[Veterinari]

We are respectful, decent people.
But still backyard breeders who think their own opinion overrides scientific evidence.

I don't even think this thread is real. I'm not sure people are really so dense.

[Veterinari]

Everybody is so dramatic

Where has anyone been dramatic?

[BiteyShark]

OP I have a WCS.

Please look up the genetic conditions two 'seemingly' healthy dogs can be carrying that could cause problems if they breed. It's called recessive genes, e.g. the parents carrying won't have any issues but a puppy from two parents with recessive conditions could develop the disease.

If you are certain about breeding why don't you DNA test both dogs to ensure they won't pass on any recessive genes. I don't think it is even that expensive in relation to how much a puppy costs.

[PixieLaLa]

Dogs are more sensitive to smells could it be a new cleaning product or something else around the house he is trying to warn you about, like a gas leak or an appliance been left on?
Could be an anal gland problem like PP suggested. I hope he gets better soon it’s horrible when you don’t know what’s wrong with them!

[nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut]

What are their hip scores? Have they had bloods or genetic testing and are there abnormalities?

Since yours is a crossbreed how many generations back can you trace his pedigree and are there any incidents of cocker rage in his lineage? Is he from a working or show line and are there any congenital defects or conditions present in the last few generations?

You shouldn't just breed a dog because you know another spaniel and want puppies. That is grossly irresponsible and ignorance is no excuse.

Especially with a breed that is known for being somewhat neurotic. You have to be incredibly careful of temperament when breeding them and you should have knowledge of at least their grandparents health and temperament.

[Onwardsandupwardswego]

Veterinari and wolfie. I do agree and with others saying don't breed. Sadly you can't argue with batshit

[Sparrowfeeder]

Some people just don’t deserve to have dogs. Irresponsible. Not decent people at all.

[CandidaAlbicans2]

Everybody is so dramatic
No, people are pointing out the very important information that you are missing and are rightly concerned that you don't see it as an issue.

We are respectful, decent people
You may well be in all other areas, but you’re also a back yard breeder. As I said, the only difference between puppy farms and BYBs is scale. They don’t get their dogs properly health scored and neither have you.

If it happened this year the puppies wouldn't be sold until the buyers had come and visited, met mum and dad, could see they were comfortable, checked their experience with dogs etc.
And obviously, you’d have to visit the potential new families in their homes to check the environment was suitable. Like rescue charities do.

[Takemetothebar]

Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I bother. Why I spend hours of my time on breed club committees, why I spend hours negotiating with the KC on codes of ethics and breed specific testing, why I spend my evenings tracing blood lines- both my own and other people’s- to help make sure both I and my fellow breeders have the best knowledge with which to make the right decisions.

Why do I do genetic testing, heart échos and ultrasounds, thyroid investigations?

Why do I have lifelong relationships with puppy owners, advise them at 2am, drive hours to ve with them if there is an issue?

I might as well bang two half breeds together and laugh my way to the bank like every other unscrupulous fucking back yard breeder.

Threads like this depress me. Unutterably depressing reading. « my vet saysthey’re healthy». Yeah, duh, cos that’s all there is to it.

[Wolfiefan]

@Takemetothebar you do it because of the love of the breed. And people like me are bloody grateful. Because we love the breed but don’t know enough to breed a litter. But if we are lucky enough to find a breeder like you then we get an amazing addition to the family, lifelong support and maybe even a friend too.

[RedRiverHog]

@Takemetothebar. Because you clearly care about your breed. Not just about your current dogs but about the future of those puppies.
I would never breed. To do it right is overwhelming to me but there is no excuse to do it wrong.

A quick Google tells you the minimum health tests needed for each breed. If you think your dog is healthy, do the tests. If you are right then you know you are doing right by those pups.
If something isn't right then as a dog lover you wouldn't breed.

[MissBaskinIfYoureNasty]

Can't stand scummy backyard breeders who claim to be animal lovers.

[Griselda1]

A lady walked her bitch in heat in our local park and it caused utter chaos. An experienced dog walker lost her males dogs, dogs pulled themselves off leads. It was a nightmare, I'm surprised he's eating

[Lovemusic33]

Why are people commenting about breeding? Op came on here for advice about why her dog is unsettled not to be given advice on wether or not she should breed her dog.

OP I hope it’s just him missing the female dog and nothing else, always best to spread with a vet if your worried rather than asking on here.

[dreams1990]

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty @Sparrowfeeder you're right I'm a scummy back yard breeder because he's had one litter over 2 years ago. I keep in contact with the owners of his mum and dad and his brothers and sisters. I'm a total scum bag. See in the photos how unhappy he is? How unhealthy? You know nothing at all. This dog has helped me through 9 miscarriages and severe depression, don't ever tell me I'm scum or don't love animals. You have no idea. Horrible nasty people.