How abs where to find a puppy?

[Beansandcheesearegood]

Looking for a family pet - possibly a cocker- joined fb groups but just not sure how to find the right fit. Any advice? Do I just post I'd like a puppy?

oh dear

This isn’t going to be pretty

Have you considered a rescue? Spaniel Aid often have young dogs, & the occasional litter of pups born into rescue. Pro Dogs Direct have also had some spaniels and spaniel cross litters born in rescue recently, so it could be worth looking.

Otherwise I'd look for a cocker spaniel breeder - the KC website could be a good starting place. Do you want a working or show cocker?

They are fab dogs but can be hard work - they need a lot of mental stimulation and like to be with their humans (they can be "velcro" dogs). We've been lucky not to have any separation anxiety issues - we introduced alone time consistently but slowly - but have had to work on guarding tendencies (I don't think AwkwardPup will ever be trusted with a pair of slippers!).

rescues not generally recommended for first timers

what is your family and house set up?

Depends on the rescue! A rescue pup will be no different to one churned out by a puppy farm.

well yes

but i don’t think i said a puppy farm was a good alternative 🙄

Not Facebook you will be supporting puppy farms.
Research the breeds needs for exercise, training, etc.. once you are thoroughly sure of the breed best for your circumstances go to the kennel club and register with breeders.
These will be screened genuine breeders and you should get a healthy pup.
you may have to wait a while..

Research research research

There are puppies around if you know the right places to look (having done research). I know of various known breeders with litters. Find the website for the breeds you are interested in and then they will list breeders and whether they have litters at the moment or coming up.

Don't be put off by people saying a good breeder won't have an available puppy. That isn't the case at the moment.

usually a long waiting list

Sorry @notjustthe didn't mean to offend: I just meant a puppy from a rescue would be no different from a puppy bought from a reputable breeder - they'd be puppies, so without the baggage that some older rescue dogs may bring.

That said, all my friends bar one who went for puppies from proper breeders have ended up with dogs with behavioural issues. Personally, as someone who has had many rescues, I've had much better luck going secondhand :)

Generic to a new puppy - Find a breeder, not a puppy. Check out their ethics, their approach to health testing, the temperament and longevity of their dogs. Answer the many questions a good breeder will have for you, and if they are happy then put yourself on their waiting list and wait until they have the right puppy for you.

Specific to breed - Research the breed thoroughly. What health tests should the parents and/or the puppies have? Will their temperament fit the life you HAVE, not the life you'd like to have. How easy are they to train? How much exercise do they need? What are their grooming requirements - can you do it yourself, or can you afford to pay for it?

This isn't always true though and puts people off/pushes them towards the "buy any pet" websites which are full of puppy farmers.

For example Wicani have puppies available. Very reputable breeder of rough collies/tofties.

1. Do not post on Facebook or source your puppy from any of, but not limited to, the following places; Facebook, twitter, pets4homes, Reddit, gumtree
2. Make sure you can afford a dog before you do anything - do your research. Some dogs cost upwards of £200 to own including insurance
3. Research the breed. A cocker spaniel is not a novice owners dog. They are not a family dog for 90% of people. When they go wrong, they go VERY wrong.
4. Then go to the Kennel Club. Look at their advice on how to buy a puppy and what to look for.
5. Then consider (for at least six months) whether it is the right fit for you.
6. DO NOT get a rescue. They require time, patience and resources that, TBH I don’t think you would be able to give if you think Facebook is an appropriate place to find a dog.

As do Caprioara (also known KC registered breeder).

a puppy in a rescue will very likely “have baggage”

usually

not always.

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/getting-dog

What do you want from a dog that has made you lean towards Cocker Spaniels? As others have said, Spaniels aren't for the faint-hearted and many end up in rescue, having being bought from breeders as puppies, and ending up with complex behavioural issues as their needs have not been met.

Have you had dogs before as an adult? If so, what breeds? Have you had puppies of any breed before?

What do you want from a dog other than a "family dog"? One that will be tolerant of small children? One to take on long daily walks, or will you only manage shorter walks during the week? Do you have your own secure garden space?

https://www.collielife.com/roughcolliepuppies.html

Various litters here if you're interested in rough collies. Nothing like a spaniel but an excellent family dog.

OK... you are coming across as a wee bit grumpy and a wee bit anti-rescue. Perhaps you're not, but either way I'll leave you to it and get back to my gorgeous, easy to look after rescue girls😀

dogstrust have a springer spaniel puppy looking to be rescued.

Stop recommending a high activity breed to someone who hasn’t said what sort of life they can provide FFS.

People need to be more responsible and recognise that someone who is thinking that Facebook is a good place to buy a dog IS NOT going to be someone who can handle a spaniel. OP clearly has no experience in dogs if she thinks Facebook is a good place to find a pet, so a spaniel is not the right bloody choice.

I didn't. The OP said she wanted a spaniel and I was simply demonstrating that spaniel puppies are available in rescue. I recommended rough collies.

wee bit grumpy? yes when i read OPs about dogs that strongly indicate bugger all research has been undertaken

anti-rescue? because i correctly point out that first timers are often not appropriate for rescues and indeed very often reflected in the policies of the rescue centres