Getting a Black Cocker spaniel puppy... Where to find breeders?

neas

After checking more into this and on the cocker website it seems an uphill struggle for us to be able to get a cocker. As me and partner have 9-5 jobs at best would be able to come home at lunch time to see dog. Shame Guess we have to try a different breed that is better for working couples..

Rosie75

I have two working cockers, one of which was my first ever dog. They are wonderful pets but do need an awful lot of stimulation and exercise and cannot be left alone for extended periods of time (ours are left for a maximum of four hours). They are a very endearing combination of extremely intelligent and very silly. The breed suited us because my husband is very active and outdoorsy - he wanted a dog that he could take hillwalking with him. The first dog did a lot of damage to our house when she was a puppy - with the second dog we confined him to a puppy pen when we were out of the room.

Some working cocker breeders won't sell to pet homes - the breeder of our second dog sold him to us on the understanding that he would be trained as a gundog, which my husband is really enjoying doing. I can see that, for this particular dog, it would have been disastrous not to occupy him in this way, but our older dog is much more laid back and fine "just" as a pet.

Both our dogs love children, but - if you have children, please ensure that your lifestyle is compatible with this kind of dog. The breeder of one of our dogs had a couple of puppies returned to her because the owners realised they did not have the time to give the dogs the kind of training they needed. In one case the child also hated the puppy and was scared of it because it was so highly-strung.

In my experience of my own and other people's cockers I would say that the females are more independent and the males more affectionate (or clingy, depending on your point of view) and slower to mature. As a breed they are very sensitive and don't respond well to raised voices (I just have to tut at my laptop if it's running slow and older dog will take herself off to hide somewhere).

Have a look on www.champdogs.co.uk for breeders, and make sure the parents have had all the appropriate health checks. I would definitely avoid pet shops, and probably a lot of the ads in newspapers as well (there are a lot of puppy farmers producing cockers at the moment). There is also a good discussion forum on Champdogs.

claireac

I was just going to post suggesting you don't get a solid colour, particularly black! We had a blue roan until he died two years, and did a hell of a lot of reasearch, and wouldn't recommend a solid colour until you have lots of cocker experience.

I'm sorry but I don't think any dog is really suitable if you're both working full time unless you're prepared to pay for a dog walker at least twice a day.

jillymit

I know you came on here looking for advice about getting a black Cocker and not asking for anything else but............
If you're looking to get a puppy, working 9-5 and at best are only able to get home lunchtimes then may I respectfully ask you to reconsider?

Your home set up may be OK for an older dog who is used be being left for longer periods or better a pair to keep each other company but an empty house is no place for a pup

Padstow

claireac wrote: »

I was just going to post suggesting you don't get a solid colour, particularly black! We had a blue roan until he died two years, and did a hell of a lot of reasearch, and wouldn't recommend a solid colour until you have lots of cocker experience.

I'm sorry but I don't think any dog is really suitable if you're both working full time unless you're prepared to pay for a dog walker at least twice a day.

I am on my knees to you Claire. You understand the colours. Not many people do.

claireac

Thank you Padstow!

We did an awful lot of research before getting our blue roan. Went to shows and talked to lots of breeders. One described her own black as a devil and kept is his cage covered with a blanket :eek:. I would never have a black!

Unfortunately our blue got Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia, and although we tried very hard and luckily caught it early, we had to have him pts.

kittypimms

Agree with the above posters. If you work 9 - 5 how on earth do you think you will be able to raise a puppy - and an active one at that?! Wockers (working cockers) are high energy, strong willed and intelligent animals - and show Cockers much the same (yet with lesser working drive, are still high energy dogs). Your "concern" is that they are active? All dogs are "active" and require proper walking, care and attention.

You say you have done your research - for which I applaud you, but working FT and getting a puppy? No. I'm not suprised a reputable reeder will not rehome to you. I doubt a reputable rescue would either.

neas

Ok,

Im sick of the condensending tones of this thread. I asked for advice first before buying give me some bloody credit.

As opposed to 'im not surprised a reputable breeder wouldnt rehome to you'... who said i even contacted one yet.

Seriously... and i've also found other advice from other owners of dogs who DO work.. because afterall you need money to pay for vet bills, food and insurance.

Not everyone has the luxury of being a - retired, b earning enough cash to afford to have 1 partner not working or c- on benefits so not working at all do they?

I asked for advice not judgement. I have done my research and I wanted peoples opinions on the key points i had discovered (activeness, raising a pup while working)

And for all you naysayers NONE of you had offered any option to solve this problem which on other forums they had.

Options include - Nanny sitters, someone coming to home to walk dog during puppy years or even taking dog once/twice a week to dog sitters....

No all of you jump on about how only those who dont work should have a dog.

I point you to this forum where the person got much more constructive advice....

http://www.dogster.com/forums/Choosing_the_Right_Dog/thread/507127

suki1964

kittypimms wrote: »

Agree with the above posters. If you work 9 - 5 how on earth do you think you will be able to raise a puppy - and an active one at that?! Wockers (working cockers) are high energy, strong willed and intelligent animals - and show Cockers much the same (yet with lesser working drive, are still high energy dogs). Your "concern" is that they are active? All dogs are "active" and require proper walking, care and attention.

You say you have done your research - for which I applaud you, but working FT and getting a puppy? No. I'm not suprised a reputable reeder will not rehome to you. I doubt a reputable rescue would either.

Both me and partner worked full time when we bought up our pups - both cockers

suki1964

claireac wrote: »

I was just going to post suggesting you don't get a solid colour, particularly black! We had a blue roan until he died two years, and did a hell of a lot of reasearch, and wouldn't recommend a solid colour until you have lots of cocker experience.

I'm sorry but I don't think any dog is really suitable if you're both working full time unless you're prepared to pay for a dog walker at least twice a day.

Why not a solid colour???

My first was a solid black and not a thing wrong with him

So whats your thinking against solids??