Breeder turned us down

[Sellingseashells]

Spoken to a breeder last night about pups due later this year. Was recommended by a friend.i though it was going well but breeder said no. Said he don’t sell to people with children. DC are 10 and 4. Dog savvy.

i know the breeder doesn’t have to sell to us, but I’m really upset. Is it worth trying again? What do I do?

During a recent vets trip for one of my non Cocker dogs, this came up. It's becoming more and more common due to the breeding lines (and colour i think he said) cocker rage syndrome is what it's being called. So I'd say it was a fair shout from the breeder.

And also, they need soooooooo much exercise.

I fostered a beautiful cocker spaniel that had been neglected, probably abused and definitely used for breeding. I’m delighted to hear there are still some responsible breeders out there.

They are not the easy breed people think they are, they can be snappy, territorial and feisty. I had a vet who used to refer to “cocker rage”.

Other breeds I’d stay away from with young kids would be border collies, Dalmatians, labs and “cockapoos”. Restricted breeds go without saying!

I hope you find a nice family dog OP, but if this breeder has hesitations about young children in a dog’s family, they should be heeded.

Cockers can have issues with resource guarding which for someone with kids could be a nightmare. Friend of mine has a show cocker and it bites, and bites badly. It’s also the breed that vets report the most bites from.

We have a working lab after having 2 couch potato bulldogs. The difference is miles apart and he's so extra and needs sooooo much. My DS is 3.5 and he loves him tho - always stroking him and trying to cuddle him. I wouldn't have agreed to a working lab if I had known a) how much hard work they are and b) how full of beans they are especially around little kids.

Excellent breeder.

You don't have a case !!!

Sorry he has turned you down but it does show that he does think about the puppies he sells, I have a cockapoo, yes I got from a breeder who asked lots of questions of us before I could even see the puppies as I wanted a puppy and he is an absolute delight, he's 9 now but still puppy like and loves children, might be worth having a look at

I have two adopted children who were neglected and abused in their birth family and the last thing I needed was to introduce another layer of trauma into the house via a rescue dog. One of them has epilepsy and has seizures.

People say "go to a shelter" without considering that it is unworkable for many people.

We have bernese mountain dogs, from 8 weeks of age, so they are young enough to understand what life is like here without being overwhelmed by it.

A spaniel wouldn't work for us as the energy would be all wrong - I need the atmosphere taken down a few notches, which a big, fluffy mountain dog does, rather than sped up with a manic spaniel running around the house.

But every family is different.

We have a show cocker - they are very different from working cockers and really don't need lots of exercise. My brother has a working cocker and we grew up with springers so I know the difference. Show cockers are much calmer and more placid. Our show cocker is absolutely amazing with kids - my youngest was about 7 when we got her. She's the best dog we've ever had - so gentle and sweet. Don't give up your search! Try another breeder.

Yes it’s unreasonable. Spaniels are working dogs yet so many people seem to think they’d rather can have one without knowing the first thing about them. That breeder is responsible and basing their decision on facts.

Get a Whippet instead, they’re far easier and generally very good with kids.

Dog breeding,,,,,urgh. Horrible business.

You know there’s no such breed as a Cockerpoo don’t you? So anyone breeding them isn’t reputable at all.

It’s possible that they’ve had issues with their dogs and children before Don’t take it personally, it’s more likely about their past experiences than about you.

You don't have a case to make. They have a policy on what they expect from an owner and you don't meet it and you're not going to meet it for several years. A reputable breeder will have no issue finding homes for his puppies so can pick and choose whowever he wants. You say this is your first family talk dog so how can the children be dog savvy? The breeder has explained why a cocker spaniel is not suitable for children and despite not having had a dog you think you know better than the breeder.

There are literally thousands of dogs looking for homes even rescues full to the brim won't rehome to homes with young children.

A cocker spaniel is not a first family dog or a dog for a family with young kids. They need a lot of exercise and can be destructive if not entertained. It is a working breed.

Sounds like a sensible breeder. I have a cocker and sprocker. Cocker is 5 and dc were 9 and 12 when we got him. He was a lot of puppy to deal with but lockdown meant we had time and he’s an amazing dog. Having a 4yo in the house would have been a nightmare. The dc isn’t independent enough for you to focus on the puppy. Second pup is a dream but I think older dog is training her and taught her to nap so she’s not over tired and bitey. She’s also a very chilled spaniel.

spaniels are amazing family dogs but your family has a young member so it’s not the right time.

I disagree with part of this. We’ve only ever owned spaniels so our first family dog was a working cocker. Fits with our lifestyle. They can be incredibly obedient, great recall and mine are very active when out then sleep or bimble about a bit at home. I agree they’re not for a young family because they need attention and time dedicated to training.

It sounds as though you could consider a different breed eg golden retriever or maybe a hound. No dog is perfect, they all have quirks and habits that need curbing. Hounds don't require as much exercise. (but they can jump fences and love to chase). Any dog could bite young children in the wrong situation. Or get something small. Best of all consider a rescue. We have a rescue mixed breed hound, looks like a mini wolfhound a bit too barky and chasy for convenience but very relaxed in the house and out in the sunshine. You can get rescue puppies if you want to avoid damaged goods but maybe one that has got past the puppy stage might be a bonus. Good luck in your quest for a lovely family dog.

PETA doesn't want to ban pets.
But PETA believes that it would be in animals’ best interests if they were no longer bred to be dependent on humans.
If you can't see why that is not an idea at least worth investigating, then you are shutting your eyes to the suffering of millions of domesticated animals.

I’d say he was absolutely right not to sell a cocker spaniel to a family with a four year old.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

My DD babysat for a family with 2 DC-I think they were around 4 and 6.
They bought a cocker spaniel puppy.

The younger DC was playing/teasing the dog with a toy and when he moved the dog the puppy nipped his face (which is where the toy was)

Puppy was rehomed immediately.
It was just not the right fit-DD had mentioned it every time she was there that the DS was too rough and silly around the dog and wasn't managed very well by the parents.
This may not happen to you but i can see why the breeder was wary-they want the best outcome and see this too often.
They have to advocate for the puppies.

So so sad

I wouldn't touch many tears with someone else's bargepole. Google if you want to know more.

I used to breed cocker spaniels, I only turned one family down and this was due to as issue with their child. They doubled down on their 'case' which only reinforced my decision. Let this one go OP and find someone else.

I recently bought a pup from a breeder who turned someone else down before me. Try not to take it personally. They don’t have to sell if they don’t want to. Of course it’s disappointing but come on, Cockers are hardly difficult to come by. There are untold breeders who do all the health testing. Have a search somewhere like Champdogs for breeders.

I know two women, who gave up cocker spaniels as they bit their children.

They had toddlers, it was madness to have any dog at the time.

We got a lab when ours were older, but were aware that puppies see children as one of them and bite, not maliciously, but puppy teeth are very sharp .

I think you’ve had a lucky escape too.