need advice re puppy please

[BeaWheesht]

We are looking to get a pup and have seen a king charles spaniel advertised - it is advertised as 'kennel blossomed blenheim'. I think 'blenheim' refers to its markings but what does kennel blossomed mean?

Does this mean its never lived in a house with a family? If so is this likely to cause any problems for us, or the dog, given that we wants it as a family pet (we have kids)?

Thanks,

I have no idea what it means but if it does indicate that it's been reared in a kennel rather than a family home then the puppy will be poorly socialised and unaccustomed to normal household noise and activity (multiple voices, TV, radio, washing machine, doorbell, telephone etc) and probably hasn't had nearly as much human interaction and handling as it should. I'd steer well clear if this is the case. Early socialisation is so important and a pup and without it a pup is more likely to be nervous. It could require a lot of work to overcome such a poor start and there is a significant risk that the dog will always have some confidence issues in certain situations.

That's quite aside from the fact that anyone rearing pups in a shed is likely to be a puppy farmer or back yard breeder - i.e. someone breeding primarily for money with little regard for the health and welfare of the dogs and pups they produce. Cavaliers are affected by a number of serious genetic health issues (heart problems MVD) and syringomyelia). It is therefore really important to find a breeder who screens for these conditions and strives to minimise the chance of puppies being affected.

I don't know either- but when I googled to be nosy, the same puppy with the same photo and description seems to be being sold in Derby and Stirling...there's something really dodgy about that

I'd assume the same and won't touch with a barge pole

Ok thanks very much, I think we will steer clear.

Would you also advise steering clear of people trying to rehome their dogs privately on websites?

We have been to rehoming centres etc but no dogs which suit our requirements ever seem to come up and tbh we cant really afford the £600 initial outlay which alot of other pups seem to go for. We know we will need to pay for insurance, food, vaccinations, vet bills etc and can afford that.

Yes I would steer clear of anyone doing that. Anyone with a good reason for rehoming (death, emigrating etc) would use a breed relevant rehoming centre IMHO rather than trying to make money from it.

How about the cavalier rescue site? MIL has used them to rehome 2 dogs and speaks highly of them.

Yes steer clear of people selling on private websites, gumtree, facebook, pets4homes etc. if you do decide to go for a puppy and settle on a specific breed, google forums, and ask about reputable breeders. Or I think the kennel club have a list of reputable breeders on their website.

Or just keep searching rescues. What kind of dog were you thinking of?

You have to be really careful if considering rehoming privately. People can and will lie about their reasons for getting rid of the dog. For example, it may have bitten someone. Or it may have been diagnosed with a hugely expensive medical condition which they don't wnat to pay for the treatment for. By the time you find out, it's too late...you have a poorly dog on your hands and your insurance won't cover pre-existing conditions (i.e. any condition diagnosed before the insurance was taken out). This is even more likely to be the case with the CKCS as approx. 50% will have a heart problem by the age of 5. The heart condition can be treated but requires lifelong medication.

I would only consider a rescue CKCS through the breed rescue organisations as they will have a good idea of the dog's history. Try here www.cavalierrescue.co.uk/

Just googled the ad...seriously don't touh this with a barge pole!

The picture is not of a Blenheim. Blenheim is predominantly white with deep chestnut red/brown markings. The ad is showing on different sites stating different parts of the country and 2 different mobile numbers. Alarm bells are deafening on this one!

Thanks, ideally we would want a spaniel, cocker or smaller I think.

Am off to look at cavalier rescue website.

Cocker and Springer Spaniel Rescue

We're in Scotland btw if thats relevant for websites etc.

AnEcumenical is right about private rehoming, and the other thing to consider is that sometimes people claim to be rehoming a young dog but really they are selling, and if you wait a few weeks you'll see the same person with the exact same story about a different dog. So you can't always trust what they say.

I love ckcs, good luck!

Contacts for Scottis Cocker Rescue

Contacts for CKCS rescue in Scotland here

Thanks AnEcumenicalMatter

I just googled it too and that is a weird advert! The price alone should put you off - expect to pay £650 - £750 for a quality puppy. I disagree that all ads on the internet are to be avoided as some responsible breeders do advertise on there, the internet being a good way to reach out to people after all. You should read as much as you can about the breed and look for a breeder who is a member of the breed society and abides by their codes of conduct regarding health testing.

Re 'blossomed blenheim'!! I wonder if this person is making up a new colour way? Cavaliers come in 4 colour ways (blenheim, tricolour, black and tan and ruby) and the pup in the advert is a ruby but with white so not a true whole colour. Perhaps this unscrupulous person is trying to invent a new colour - the 'blossomed blenheim'?

I have a gorgeous cavalier pup and spent many months waiting for her. It's hard to wait when you feel the time is right, but I do think it's worth it. Good luck!

Where in scotland are you? At the moment im on the waiting list for a little cocker which is due to be born in a couple of weeks. Cockersonline is a fantastic site for help and info. If its a puppy your after then you should expect to pay between £550-£650 (from the breeders ive checked out in scotland). If your near Aberdeen theres a rehoming centre called mrs murrys who has a springer at the moment. If you are near aberdeen drop me a PM because i also know of a couple pups (about 6 months) who wont make it as field dogs but would be good pets. However they are working dogs so would need more exercise than a show strain.

Hi

I'm not near Aberdeen but would travel if nec. However, were going to see a rescue cocker later so if he doesn't suit us / we don't suit him I will pm you, thanks.

if he doesn't get to be our dog ill be heartbroken I think

Ooh good luck and do let us know how you get on.

Spaniels are great, we have two Springers (pics on profile) and they are great

Well. We are all in love. He's adorable, bouncy and friendly. A wee bit exciteable but he's had a tough time of it moving from place to place and all he wanted to do was lick and jump so we'll have to watch him for dd but otherwise he's perfect :)