Questions, questions and more questions..........

[hennipenni]

We are in the process of looking for a cocker spaniel puppy. We have tracked down a breeder off the kennel club website who has a couple of male pups left. Both parents have been tested for PRA and FN so the puppies will be clear of these?

We have lot's of questions to ask when I contact her to arrange a viewing such as how well socialised they are, can we see mum at the same time as the pups, health certificates, kennel club registration, have they been socialised around children etc (we have a huuuge long list of questions). Can anybody think of any questions that we should be asking that we may not have thought about? and also if the breeder doesn't ask about our home circumstances ( i.e how long pup may be left on own etc) should we be wary of buying from them?

I'm very excited about all this and want to get everything as right as I possibly can!

Bump

Will the breeder be willing to take the pup back at any point during it's life if the home should break down? If not, walk away, this is not a reputable breeder.

Expect to be grilled by her as if she is handing you one of her own children. Again walk away if this doesn't happen.

Good luck.

With regard to PRA it is a recessive gene and it is the parents who are tested. Both parents must be tested you can have one parent carrying it but the other one must be tested and be PRA negative if your puppy is not to get it. A good breeder will proudly show you the certificate for each parent and also tell you what this means for your individual puppy. If one parent carries it it means that you puppy cant get it but could also be a carrier and if in the future you wanted to breed which hopefully you don't you would need to be aware.
Hope that makes sense?!

Thank you for your messages, have spoken to the breeder who seems to tick all the correct boxes.

Dooin - thankyou, i told her all about my family, work commitments etc and seemed happy with my plans for the pup when i'm working and she would have the pup back in the event of family breakdown etc rather than him going somewhere or to somebody who neither of us know.

happy - thankyou we have read and researched about PRA and FN and as we don't intend to breed it isn't an issue.

We have made arrangements to go and look, I'm so excited I could burst!!!!

Ask if pup has had his tail cut off , even though it has been illegal for years and there is no excuse at all for a family pet. Buy one with the beautiful tail he should have.

Beautiful tail intact