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

Caroline_a

It's a difficult thing, getting a dog whilst working, and additionally, people's situations change. I got my dog when my dad was still alive and able to let him out, be around for him, etc. Unfortunately my dad got frail quite quickly, when I had to use the crate more, in case Oakley knocked him over, but I splashed out on a huge crate that took up most of the kitchen, and came home every lunchtime too. He was quite happy in his crate, which then became a necessity as we had to have carers in and out, and you have to have the dog locked away (well we had to for ours!)

However, after my dad died last year, Oakley was quite happy without the crate, and luckily had by then grown out of the chewing stage, so it worked out fine. He's happy to see me when I go home, but seems contented enough when I'm at work.

fantasia322

neas wrote: »

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

You asked, you get differing opinions............!!!!!
Not everyone will tell you what you want to hear.
If you arent happy with the advice, don't listen to it.
but it isnt fair, I repeat NOT FAIR, to leave an intelligent breed like a cocker pupper alone while you work 9-5. They are way too intelligent and hyper.
You've been given sensible advice, why not read it, instead of getting on your high-horse.
Obviously too much straight, honest talking.
And not telling you what you WANT to hear.

No wonder dogs end up in rescue cos the owners cant cope. DOnt mean that you will be one of these owners but listen to advice before you make a judgement. Please.

neas

fantasia322 wrote: »

You asked, you get differing opinions............!!!!!
Not everyone will tell you what you want to hear.
If you arent happy with the advice, don't listen to it.
but it isnt fair, I repeat NOT FAIR, to leave an intelligent breed like a cocker pupper alone while you work 9-5. They are way too intelligent and hyper.
You've been given sensible advice, why not read it, instead of getting on your high-horse.
Obviously too much straight, honest talking.
And not telling you what you WANT to hear.

No wonder dogs end up in rescue cos the owners cant cope. DOnt mean that you will be one of these owners but listen to advice before you make a judgement. Please.

No... people made quite silly assumption like the poster above me stating a breeder had already turned me down.. which was complete nonsense...

And yes people opinions like yours offered no advice at all. Even now you dont see that a 9-5 working person can and have had a dog beforehand (look at the two people who posted after me...) And thats with just visiting at lunch time. I think this thread is full of people with knee jerk reactions who offered some advice but alot of criticism too.

As i said i got what i wanted (albeit not really from this thread but the other thread another user posted in) in that they are hardwork, that it is unfair to leave a dog all day alone, but some dogs can cope with it as others have posted and that it would be wise to get a dog sitter for a bit or friend to take it for walks at lunch time.

That has been proven by the posters in this thread contradicting what others said immediately that i shouldn't have a dog because i work. If i work hard visit him at lunch time and pay a bit more i can make it work. So thanks for the advice... i will take it under 'advisement'.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Have you considered rehoming a retired greyhound?

inforeq

neas wrote: »

No... people made quite silly assumption like the poster above me stating a breeder had already turned me down.. which was complete nonsense...

And yes people opinions like yours offered no advice at all. Even now you dont see that a 9-5 working person can and have had a dog beforehand (look at the two people who posted after me...) And thats with just visiting at lunch time. I think this thread is full of people with knee jerk reactions who offered some advice but alot of criticism too.

As i said i got what i wanted (albeit not really from this thread but the other thread another user posted in) in that they are hardwork, that it is unfair to leave a dog all day alone, but some dogs can cope with it as others have posted and that it would be wise to get a dog sitter for a bit or friend to take it for walks at lunch time.

That has been proven by the posters in this thread contradicting what others said immediately that i shouldn't have a dog because i work. If i work hard visit him at lunch time and pay a bit more i can make it work. So thanks for the advice... i will take it under 'advisement'.

oh dear, you really dont like it when posters oppose you.

fantasia322

Ok fair comment I suppose, I work my OH works but I'd no more leave an 8 week old puppy alone 9-5 than I would an 8 week old baby. To me it equates to the same thing but that just my opinion.
I work 4 mornings a week for 4 hours and OH is full time, my dogs are always rescue dogs, I adopted a 3 year old great dane last Thursday, took 2 days off plus the weekend to make sure she was settled and went back today for 2 hours, will go tomorrow for 3 hours and back to normal Thursday for 4 hours.
I certainly couldn't contemplate leaving a new puppy for that length of time.
Each to their own though, And I'm realistic enough to know that some people can make it work.
I do wish you luck and hope it all goes well for you.
My post wasn't meant to criticise just to state that its sometimes worth listening to people even if they disagree with you.
Sorry if i offended.

kittypimms

suki1964 wrote: »

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

Did you both work 9 - 5 and leave the pup alone during this time?

Ok, to the OP. You asked for no judgement - and I ask the same. I'm not retired, definitley not rich, and don't have a partner to support me.

I do work full time. 08:30 - 17:00. I also (per the sig) have 2 dogs. a 5YO working type Weim, and a 13YO Setterx (a rescued ex-worker) who has special medical needs.

I walk my dogs from 6am to 7am. Food/grooming until 07:30.
Then they either go to daycare (£10 - £15 a day) until 6pm, or I have a dog walker (£8 - £15 a day) or sitter. I visit them at lunchtimes. When I get in in the evening we walk again for 1 - 1.5 hours. The evenings are spent with at least 30 minutes of training, with one evening a week at a training club. I also volunteer for various dog/ greyhound rescues at weekends.

Insurance for the Weim is £20PM. The Setter is uninsureable due to medical issues. Food costs are C£25/ mth. This is very cheap as I've negotiated a good deal.

Pups who are left for long periods can develop behavioural issues, such as separation anxiety. This can manifest as destructive behaviour, which can cost a great deal in replastering and behaviouralist fees.
Leaving pups can also negatively affect socialisation, house training and other forms of development.

I stand by what I said earlier - A reputable breeder/ rescue Will Not rehome to a couple who both work full time 9 - 5.
I will caveat this - my arrangements with daycare and sitters leave me financially challenged, but able to keep my dogs.

It does make me angry when I hear people looking to get animals in an offhand way - because I work on the other side - pulling animals out of pounds to save them being put to sleep, because owners no longer have time to care for them. Or when their cute puppy turned into a house chewing, barking, destructive monster, and the kids got bored of it.

If you are going to consider a dog, I agree with one of the above posters - a retired/ rescued older greyhound would suit you better, if you can get someone to look after it during the day.

suki1964

inforeq wrote: »

oh dear, you really dont like it when posters oppose you.

And for someone who berates others on how to conduct themsleves in the forums - this is helpfull to the the OP how?

suki1964

kittypimms wrote: »

Did you both work 9 - 5 and leave the pup alone during this time?

Certainly not

But then you didnt seem much interested in the idea that people are perfectly capable of working full time and making adequate arrangements for dog care

Too quick to lambast the OP for even considering getting a cocker pup

kittypimms

suki1964 wrote: »

Certainly not

But then you didnt seem much interested in the idea that people are perfectly capable of working full time and making adequate arrangements for dog care

Too quick to lambast the OP for even considering getting a cocker pup

Did you read the rest of my post?

Or are you too quick to lambast me for thinking of animal welfare above personal desires?