Buying a dog

chirpchirp

We'd really like to buy a springer spaniel puppy but one of our friends is really anti-breeders and thinks we should only buy from a rescue centre. Can anyone enter into a debate as to why breeding is so bad for dogs and can someone also tell me why so many breeders dock tails?

ka7e

The breeder v rescue has been done to death on this and many other forums! Check out Dog Forums http://www.petforums.co.uk/dog-forums/ and Champdogs http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/

Docking tails is traditionally done to prevent damage to the tails of working dogs - no reason for it to be done for non-working dogs and a lot of vets refuse to do it nowadays.

You are unlikely to find a pedigree Springer pup in rescue, though as they are quite lively you often find older ones. There are some Springer Cross puppies at Dorset Dog Rescue - http://www.dogsblog.com/dotty-and-donut/

Many Tears ( harden your heart before entering this site, so many beautiful dogs) had a litter but they are all reserved. They have Oreo, a 16 week-old Springer/Lab cross and Hookie an 8 week-old sprollie. http://www.manytears.co.uk/

scheming_gypsy

If you want a puppy then look round the rescues to see if they have any; if they don't then your only choice is a breeder... Nothing wrong with breeders as long as you choose a reputable one and not a backstreet / puppy farmer.

And as above, tail docking is for working dogs so if it's got a docked tail it's from a working line rather than pet

Kittendreich

Docking tails of pet dogs is now illegal in this country (not to say that it isn't still done though...). I think working dogs (not working breeds) are exempt from this and as many Springers are working dogs they may have it done. Lots of people still like the 'look' so it is still done for dogs that will never work a day in their life - I can't think of anything worse than missing out on a lovely waggy tail!

Shepherd1

I really don't see the problem with breeders, the breeder I got my three shepherds from has 10 dogs and only has one or two litters a year. When we got our first one we had to wait another 10 months to get another, they have both passed now and I went back to him for our new puppy.

For me I want a puppy where I can meet the parents and know what lines it has come from.

scheming_gypsy

Kittendreich wrote: »

I can't think of anything worse than missing out on a lovely waggy tail!

oh i dunno! i've threatened to dock my two numerous times. Mainly at 2am when they've jumped on the bed and one is wagging away with her fan like tail and thwacking the bed, or the other decides to lie near my head and beat me up with his wagging tail.

MrsAtobe

Another place to look online is http://springthing.3.forumer.com/, there's a forum for springers needing home. The OH has banned me from it though, I keep showing him the pictures. I'd have them all if I could.

Caroline_a

If you want a puppy that will grow up to look like the breed, then choose a breeder. However... do your research thoroughly and make sure the breeder is not a back street breeder, and is a reputable one. Look on a site such as Champdogs, or google breeders and do your research from there. It took me 5 months to find my GSD puppy, and I rejected several breeders as I didnt like the way they brought their dogs up.

If you are looking for an older dog, then go for a rescue. Find the breed rescue and speak to them. However, you may find that some rescues won't allow you to have a dog if you have children, work full-time, etc etc - lots of threads on here about that too.

rising_from_the_ashes

Kittendreich wrote: »

Docking tails of pet dogs is now illegal in this country (not to say that it isn't still done though...). I think working dogs (not working breeds) are exempt from this and as many Springers are working dogs they may have it done. Lots of people still like the 'look' so it is still done for dogs that will never work a day in their life - I can't think of anything worse than missing out on a lovely waggy tail!

It depends on where you live - there is a total docking ban in Scotland (for any reason) but I believe you can still have it done for working dogs elsewhere in England and Wales (not sure about NI).

Personally I don't like it and if some working dogs can cope with tails, then why can't they all - I know lots of people with working dogs and have never heard of any of them having problems with injuries to tails etc when working.


Re breeding - as others have said, reputable breeder, see mother at a minimum (both parents if poss) etc, etc.

However, please try the rescues first as many are overflowing - with pups as well as adults.

spincandy

There are advantages and disadvantages to both these options. Buying a dog from a reputable breeder makes it more likely you will get the temperament associated with that breed and if they're a good breeder the parents will have been checked for common hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (conditions vary between breeds, Springer Spaniels should at least be tested for hip dysplasia). Pedigree dogs, however, do have more incidence of genetic issues. Crossbreeds are more likely to be problem-free (but not guaranteed, my 2 year old Boxer-cross has cost me far more in health bills than my 4 year old Welsh Springer!)

Docking of tails is illegal in the UK and has been for several years for non-working dogs. I am a veterinary nurse and we are NOT allowed to dock tails unless we see evidence the dogs will go to working homes, the vets and nurses in question risk their registration if they do so.

Buying a dog from a rescue centre will give you a sense of satisfaction and it will give an unwanted animal a forever home. However, bear in mind that you do not know the history of that dog and, in many cases, the rescue centre doesn't know it either. I know myself that I was very lucky to get a dog with an excellent temperament, I have seen many coming from Rescue centres which don't.

It's a personal decision really and it depends what will fit in with your requirements. I don't know how much research you've done into Springers but they are high energy dogs which need to be occupied both mentally and physically I have one of these little monkeys myself and I absolutely love him to bits but he doesn't half tire me out!

Feel free to drop me a line if you have any other questions

Rach x

Person_one

The biggest reason why so many people feel it is more ethical to rescue a dog rather than buy a puppy is that there are thousands of unwanted dogs languishing in kennels in need of loving homes and many are destroyed every day just because there is nowhere for them to go. There is no shortage of dogs in this country and by buying a pup you deprive a dog that already exists of a home and contribute to the ongoing demand for puppies that just creates more and more 'surplus' dogs.

Make sure you do research on Springers, they are not an easy dog to own at all, may I ask what your reasons are for wanting this particular breed?