Cocker Spaniel Pup

[msmorgan]

I had to get my beautiful border collie put to sleep last Thursday, he was 14 and I'd had him from a puppy. I am heartbroken, as is my 6 year old. I always knew I would get another dog but had thought I would wait at least a few months as I thought I'd feel guilty, as if I was trying to replace him. I am really missing him though, and our routine, and just generally miss having a dog.

I was moping about at the weekend and had a look at some local dog rescue centre websites and some puppy ads. I already knew I wanted a Cocker or cocker cross and found some cocker pups which I enquired about. The owner only had 1 left and lots of interest, I decided I was rushing into things and told the owner to let him go to someone else but to keep me in mind if any fell through.

Anyway, he rang me today to say he now had a puppy available as he wasn't happy when he did the home check. I am going to have a look at him tomorrow.

Sorry for rambling but does anyone have any advice or opinions on if this is too soon after my dogs death and also on Cocker Spaniels? We have a 6 year old and 18 month old.

I have 2 cockers one is 6 the other 2, I have two dc age 5 and 3. They all get along fabulously ESP when playing the chase me I have a biscuit game :). They do have a habit of hurdling/jumping the kids at walk time due to over excitement. I did wait 6 months before I replaced my labs though, but I have friends who replaced their dogs within a couple of weeks.

I waited 4 months but that was because we had a 3 week holiday booked and it would have been unfair. I'd have got another sooner though and am so happy we got our cocker pup 3 months ago, he's gorgeous.

Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely going to go and have
a look and if everything seems ok we should get him in 2 weeks time. I know to check to make sure the parents are clear for PRA and FN, is there anything else I should ask about? I'm not sure of he's working or show line but I'm happy with either.

We went to see the cocker pups tonight and I'm happy with the mum and dad dog and the owners are lovely. The puppies were all gorgeous and seemed very well cared for. We are going to collect ours next Friday.

Can anyone advise on the best pet insurance and if/when we should neuter him? He's currently being fed on James Wellbeloved dry food so I'll probably stick with that.

My dd wants to call him Henry, which I think I like, and he looked like a Henry.

Sorry to hear about your collie, if it doesn't feel too soon then it probably isn't too soon.

I love cockers, Henry is a fab name too. Your dd has good taste!

Marks and spencer, have been fab for my cockers.

I've gone with petplan, 4k vets fees lifetime policy at £21.55 a month.

Congratulations. It seems you are being careful and no rushing by ensuring healthy health tested pups. It is definitely worth knowing if your dog is a show or a worker though! Could you not tell from the parents?

Join

www.cockersonline.co.uk

Fab forum.

Petplan £7k lifetime insurance.

I spent a ridiculous amount of time comparing policies and Petplan came out best in terms of cover and not having any hidden clauses such as limited cruciate repair cover and/or no dental cover.

I have used them before for years with my old dogs and they always paid up without question as well.

ps Henry is a great name!

It does still seem a bit soon, I only got Baileys ashes back yesterday. I think however long I wait no dog could ever replace him, but my life feels like a big part is missing with no dog and dd is missing him so its the right thing to do for us.

I've just been comparing insurances and Petplan seems the best so far, I will have a look at M&S too.

His full name will be Henry Cuddledog! Dd apparently thought of it from Henry Hugglemonster. His KC name is Bracken something, I like Bracken but I think he does actually look like a Henry.

I checked with the owners and he's from working line Cockers which suits me as should be around the same level of exercise and similar temperament to my border collie, I think!

There's no right or wrong time msmorgan, only what feels right to you.

I've had different feelings when I've lost different dogs over the years and think you really do just have to follow your heart.

No dog is ever going to replace Bailey, but that doesn't mean you and your dd don't have a huge amount of love to give to another pup.

(I know three Brackens - Henry's much better. )

I feed my working cocker Gilpa dog food. Much, much cheaper than most, and it does her and my border terrier just fine. Its about £15 for a huge bag.

It's This

cockersonline is a fab resource. Def. have a nose round there. They are great dogs. I really wouldn't rush to think about neutering. I personally wouldn't neuter a male dog as there are no health benefits (unlike females). It doesn't magically fix any behaviours and ruins a cockers coat. We are happy with John Lewis pet insurance. Good luck and hide your shoes!

There are health benefits to neutering males. Neutering prevents Benign Hyperplastic Prostatitis which occurs in 80% plus of entire dogs over the age of 5.

It's treatable through hormone therapy or chemical castration, but both are costly and prolonged use of some can cause diabetes or adrenal problems. The only cure is castration, as it removes the testosterone causing the inflammation and significantly reduces the size of the prostate.

Having had a dog with BHP that became cystic and seeing the amount of pain and distress, it caused him I wouldn't hesitate to castrate future male dogs. My dog was so ill and in so much pain that he dropped significant amounts of weight, was passing almost pure blood and struggling to pass stools. I never want one of my dogs to have to go through that again if it can be prevented.

Neutering also reduces the likelihood of dogs developing bacterial prostatitis. Again an extremely painful and distressing illness.

Regardless of whether or not there are health issues to neutering there are issues of the dogs welfare in terms of potential frustration/stress and/or straying should he become aware of a bitch in season - not to mention the potential for unwanted litters should he actually come into contact with one.

We lost our old Labrador 1st July. She was 14 and we were all devastated. After two weeks I couldn't bear it any longer and we started looking through breeder sites for another Labrador. I was quite fussy and I really wanted a working lab. We found one and a month later we brought home Toby. We went with NFU for pet insurance.

So good luck with Henry, and when you get him, please join the new puppy mummy thread.

Well dd and I went shopping today for Henry's things and she's very excited, it seems to be taking her mind off the loss of our dog a bit, and mine.

I've short listed John Lewis, Pet Plan, M&S and More Than for insurance, cover and prices are fairly similar so I think I need to look into if any of those are difficult to deal with if you do make a claim.

I'll have to look into getting him neutered, I never got my Border Collie done and he was fine until the last few months when my vet found a testicular tumour, apparently it's quite common in elderly dogs that haven't been neutered.

I've ordered a fabric crate for him, I've no experience of crating dogs but the pups have a crate in their owners kitchen and he seemed to like it, I needed something for him to travel in the car in anyway so I'll see how it goes.

We have a neutered cocker and he is wonderful. I would always neuter a dog though, to prevent any unplanned puppies - his coat is fine, as was our previous one's. They do go a bit woolly, but it just adds to the charm!