Naturally, we came away agreeing to a puppy. Or, perhaps I should say, being allowed to have a puppy! Fantastic breeder, who takes the job very seriously indeed.
We met all his dogs (he works them all, all 7!), they were all big soft lumps, lovely, well trained dogs with amazing temperaments.
Then we were allowed to meet mum, who makes my big soft lump of a dog look aggressive! Never seen such a gentle dog. We were then taken to see the puppies (with mum), The room was spotlessly clean as all I would expect and hope for from a breeder. Mum didn't mind us gently touching a pup, with breeder there, she was more interested in being cuddled herself 
We can only have a dog, but that's fine, one of two chunky boys, we will choose which one at 5/6 weeks, in the New Year. We were thoroughly vetted and all paperwork seen for both dogs, I met Dad too, who was lovely. Puppies will be micro-chipped and socialised to all the breeder can think of to socialise them to! They are docked, as most of the litter will work. All black in the main, so the demand for the puppies has been huge, due to the Kate and Will trend, why get a black working Cocker just 'cos the Royal's do? Had enquiries from all over the country, most of which not suitable.
Most puppies were booked pre mating, all owners interviewed via telephone and vetted in person afterwards, bred as they want another dog to work, they don't breed unless they want a pup, I felt really comfortable that we had met somebody that was serious about his role.
Excited again