Cocker Spaniel-Buying advice?

Fosterdog

If you would consider a rescue but still want a puppy Hope Rescue Wales have just had three litters of cockers born, they are from a puppy farm or backyard breeder that the RSPCA seized all of the dogs from and got a court order to have them signed over to the care of Hope. The three !!!!!es were heavily pregnant and gave birth within days of being rescued. They are still very young so not ready for homes for a few weeks yet.

doglover86

I 100% recommend a rescue dog. All buying a dog does is encourage puppy farmers to keep breeding and profiting while thousands of brilliant, beautiful, loyal dogs languish in rescue centres waiting to be chosen. I've had a lot of rescues, they'll occasionally have quirks but if you keep an open mind about breed (though you may get lucky and find your dream cocker) in particular and work with a good centre, they should be able to help you find a perfect dog to suit your lifestyle.

I'll also note that some of the best dogs I've ever come across have been crossbreed/mutts from rescue centres.

Good luck with your search though - hope you find your dream dog.

iolanthe07

Do you want a working cocker or a show cocker? I have experience of both, and they are all lovely dogs. I found that the show cocker, though beautiful, was a bit overbred (pedigree as long as your arm) and hyper and suffering from tummy problems that the vet couldn't diagnose. The working cockers seem more active, healthier and full of energy. They also had smaller ears, which meant less dirt on them. If you have the time and space, I would go for a working cocker, but good luck with whatever you choose. Cockers are an excellent choice, imo.

adandem

We lost our Cocker last year and they certainly leave big holes. When the time is right it will definitely be rescue for us.
As has been mentioned, it's highly unlikely that mom and dad will be living in the same house, also KC registration is not really a good indication.
The breeder we had our dog from did PRA and also hip testing.
There's a brilliant forum called Cockersonline. Loads of help and information on there.
You could try Many Tears if you decide to go down the rescue route. Either way, take your time the right dog is worth the wait. Puppy farms thrive on the fact that people want a specific dog in a specific colour 'now'.

Merlin's_Beard

If you don't go down the rescue root, then the KC provides information about what tests are mandatory for the breed, which it strongly recommends and which are merely available here: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/health.aspx?id=2052

As others have said, as long as the breeder adheres to certain guidelines (!!!!! hasn't had lots of litters, mandatory health tests done) they can register a little with the KC and it's not a guarantee that the puppies have been well socialised or well bred.

Nic0123

I would definitely recommend adopting a dog from a rescue rather than buying. There will be plenty of cocker spaniels sat in a rescue centre looking for a home, if you buy you are just putting more money into breeders pockets which cause enough health problems in dogs as it is.

thorsoak

Fosterdog wrote: »

If you would consider a rescue but still want a puppy Hope Rescue Wales have just had three litters of cockers born, they are from a puppy farm or backyard breeder that the RSPCA seized all of the dogs from and got a court order to have them signed over to the care of Hope. The three !!!!!es were heavily pregnant and gave birth within days of being rescued. They are still very young so not ready for homes for a few weeks yet.

I know that I am setting myself up for a scorching/flaming here - but in my opinion, the rescue concerned here has been extremely irresponsible - the poor mothers of these litters have been through so many unknown pregnancies/litters - and here they are again! The puppies who have been born are from uncertain/possibly unhealthy parents - the puppy farmers would not have given the mothers the rest between litters that they so obviously need - and the studs would be just whomsoever jumped in first. Had they arrived in Rescue earlier enough, they (Rescue) should have taken the big breath - and given the mothers an injection of alizen - which could have been given up to 48 days of a pregnancy which would have terminated the pregnancies, thereby saving the poor mums from going through the whelping/rearing of the litters - litters which may well be pretty poor, giving the fact that the mums would not have been properly nourished during the pregnancies. These puppies have not had the best start in life, and, sorry as I would be for them, I wouldn't want to take one on.
But there again, the Rescue will be able to charge a sizeable rescue "donation" for them :-(.

Red-Squirrel_2

thorsoak wrote: »

I know that I am setting myself up for a scorching/flaming here - but in my opinion, the rescue concerned here has been extremely irresponsible - the poor mothers of these litters have been through so many unknown pregnancies/litters - and here they are again! The puppies who have been born are from uncertain/possibly unhealthy parents - the puppy farmers would not have given the mothers the rest between litters that they so obviously need - and the studs would be just whomsoever jumped in first. Had they arrived in Rescue earlier enough, they (Rescue) should have taken the big breath - and given the mothers an injection of alizen - which could have been given up to 48 days of a pregnancy which would have terminated the pregnancies, thereby saving the poor mums from going through the whelping/rearing of the litters - litters which may well be pretty poor, giving the fact that the mums would not have been properly nourished during the pregnancies. These puppies have not had the best start in life, and, sorry as I would be for them, I wouldn't want to take one on.
But there again, the Rescue will be able to charge a sizeable rescue "donation" for them :-(.

The post says that the !!!!!es gave birth within days of being rescued though. It was too late, so I don't understand what you think the RSPCA have done wrong?

fenny

please don't buy puppy farm dogs. The conditions the mothers and fathers live in is horrendous. They are bred every season and when they no longer get in pup they are shot, or knocked on the head. Why on earth would anyone who professes to love dogs, actively support such misery?
Dogs4Us is nothing more than a puppy dealer. If you cannot see the pups with the mother do not buy They will give you all sorts of lies, all bred by nice people. Bred by friends. Mother died. Mother now lives elsewhere.

fenny

I can see both mum and dad dog in the home environment

This is not actually the sign of a decent breeder but a backyard breeder. Most people who have decent dogs and who show them will pay a stud fee and use someone else's dog. When I bred and showed dogs (standard poodles) I never owned a stud dog. For a fee, I could use the best dog in the land, with all the relevant health checks and whose pedigree tied up with that of my !!!!!'s.
The type of breeder who owns a stud dog is someone who breeds in quantity for money. The occasional hobby breeder who cares for their !!!!! and breeds infrequently, will not own a stud dog.