Help with purchasing a new puppy.

[SRUAlmn]

Hi I thought we had a pet board, but I don't see one, so I'm posting here.

My fiance and I are about to purchase our first puppy. My family has always had dogs, so I know most of the things about care, food, etc... However, I was wondering what I need to look for in a breeder. I see in the paper that some are AKC and some are CKC. Why would a U.S. breeder register their animals with the CKC? What is the difference? Are there any red flags that I should look for upon visiting/talking to the breeders? What types of things are good for the puppies to already have? De-wormed, first set of shots, etc...?

We are most likely going to get a cocker spaniel since that is what my family has always had and that is what I am most familiar with caring for.

Thanks

 

[scorpad99]

every cockerspaniel ive seen pees when they get excited. but are good with kids, I wouldnt buy from a breeder that makes a living out of breeding dogs, how about a cockerspaniel mix? Check your local paper in the pet ads. Full bred dogs seem to be tempermental and hard to train.
gl in whatever you decide, its a huge commitment........so think it out thoroughly b4 u do

 

[dogladyjw]

I have been in dogs for 35 years. Your first step is to contact your local American Cocker Spaniel Club. Check on line for the address of the secretary. She will give you the name of the breeders in your area who have puppies available. Get references from the breeders. If you don't intend to show your dog, get from a breeder who sells on a limited registration policy. That means that your dog can be registered but any dogs it produces cannot. Spay and neuter contracts are almost impossible to enforce so this is what breeders have come up with to correct the situation. Buy only from a breeder who offers a contract with right of frist refusal if you decide to get rid of the dog at any age in its life. If the breeder is not willing to be responsible for the dog throughout its life they are not really interested in the betterment of the breed. Truely good breeders have their puppies chipped before they are sold and will transfer the chip information to your name for a fee of course. They should provide at least a 3 generation pedigree or advice on how to get one. You shoud get a copy of the vet records of the puppy to date and should be given a period of time to take your puppy to the vet of your choice for a physical with a return if not physically sound for money back guarantee. A good breeder will ask you many many questions. You might feel that its easier to adopt a child than to buy a puppy but if you breeder doesnt make you feel this way, run she doesn't care about her puppies. Puppies should not be picked up from the breeder earlier than 6 weeks and preferably not before 8 weeks as between the 6th and 8th week there is much for them to learn from their litter mates. It is best to tell the breeder what you are looking for in a dog and let her pick the puppy. That cute little puppy lying back in the corner may just be exhausted from driving the other puppies crazy for the last hour and be a real terror. He may not be as sweet and gentle as he looks sleeping. She has been with him 24 hours a day since birth you haven't. Also, boy dogs can be just as sweet as girl dogs. Some females EARN the title *****. (a ***** is the technical term for a female dog not a nasty name). Find out what illness are common to your beed of choice and ask to see clearence certificates and or numbers for the parents. Best of luck with your new puppy!

 

[Taylor]

I have been in dogs for 35 years.

Ouch, sounds painful...

 

[chirurgeon]

I agree with Dogladyjw. Do not get a dog from newspaper ads or a pet store. Research your breed to see if they have any tendencies toward certain conditions ie dalmations and deafness, bichons and bladder stones, any large breed for hip dysplasia. A good breeder will have tested their dogs, and have certificates for the testing. And yes, the breeder should want to know as much about you as you want to know about them and the dog. They are protecting the animal by doing this.

And crate training is the best thing for you and your new pup. I had to convince my claustrophobic mom but she agrees now it was the best thing for our little Molly.

Good luck

 

[robinb]

The most important thing about buying a pure bred puppy is finding a reputable breeder. Especially with a breed like a Cocker Spaniel. You will want to research exactly what genetic problems the breed has and if those problems can be tested for in the mother and father. I would start at the Cocker Spaniel Breed Club at the national level and see if they have a club near you or in your state. They should have a Puppy contact who knows everyone who is expecting pups or who has pups on the ground. Be prepared to be grilled by the breeders, but also ask them as many questions as you can. I just spent over a month researching Standard Poodles and calling breeders.

You will pay more for a dog from a reputable breeder, but you will end up with the kind of dog you want that is healthy. DO NOT look in the paper or other pet ads! (Sorry Abby) Backyard breeders are only interested in raising puppies to sell or because it's "fun". They are not interested in making the breed better and they frequently do not check for genetic problems. Call, call, call and call some more. DO NOT look at a puppy unless you are 100% comfortable with the breeder and their breeding and socialization program. Leaving behind a cute little bundle of fur is almost impossible.

Speaking of socialization ... it's usually best to find a breeder that is home for most of the day and who raises the pups inside the house. It's also important that the pups be exposed to people of both genders and all ages, including children.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know .

 

[SRUAlmn]

Wow! Thank you so much for all the great information. I am going to go online right now and find out if/where we have a local American Cocker Spaniel Club. I guess I will go from there. I am so glad I posted this because I thought that a breeder was a breeder, whether they posted in the paper or not. I knew to stay away from pet stores, but I didn't know about the paper thing. THANKS!!!

Also, what types of questions might the breeder ask? I want to be prepared. I'm fairly familiar with cockers, so I hope I can answer all their questions.

 

[NikiM20]

wanted to add: check with your vet and see if they can recommend any breeders..our vet sent us to our breeder and she LIVES for these dogs, we have mini dauchunds who also pee when excited but they are getting better

 

[robinb]

The breeder should ask you about your experience with dogs, why you picked a Cocker, a bit about your family life (kids, anyone at home during the day, etc). Some will ask about what you will do with the pup when you leave home (like for vacation), etc. The one that you settle on will want references. I gave my vet and and the owner of my kennel where I boarded my Akita when we went on vacation. Many of them will educate you on the breed. I learned something from each and every breeder I talked to, from the first to the last.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thanks for the response as to what the breeders might ask. I know I can accurately answer all of those questions as I am pretty familiar with the breed, however, since I have never personally owned a dog before (and, therefore, don't have a kennel or vet to use,) who would I give as references? Do you think family members would be acceptable? Thanks again!

 

[Aimeedyan]

The others have given great advice! Finding a furry family member is worth the time it takes to find a reputable breeder - this dog will likely be a member of your family for a good 15 years.

Cockers, esp NEED to be from a reputable breeder. They were/are overbred in backyards and puppy mills and because of that there are a lot of medical and temperment issues out there. It's imperitive that you find a good breeder to avoid that as much as possible.

Some things to ask:
What kind of contract do they require? They should require a spay/neuter and that the dog is returned to them if you cannot care for it.

How old is the mother and how many litters has she had?

Do the parents fit the breed standard?

What health tests have been done on the parents?

What kind of health guarantee does the dog come with?

How many breeds do you they bred? They shouldn't be breeding more than 1.

Do they already have homes waiting? Good breeders often don't breed a dog unless they already have homes lined up. THere is almost always a waitlist.

Are they raised in a home with people?

When are the dogs released to their forever homes? Reputable breeders won't release before 8 weeks and most good breeders will hold them until 10-11 weeks because the things they learn from the pack during those weeks are crucial! Small breeds, esp, are often held until 10-11 weeks. This is a good thing!

What kind of food do they feed? I'm a dog food snob and this is a huge sign of just how much someone truly knows about dogs and how much they care about the nutrition of their animals.

Do they have references available, including vet information?

I would be concerned if she doesn't interview you worse then you interview her. A great breeder will consider the dogs their own and want them to be placed in the best home. Good breeders will often place the pups in the homes they think fit best, they don't just let people come in and pick one. They usually want to make the best fit based on the puppy's personality at the time. This isn't a bad thing, either, if the breeder requires this.

Good luck finding that perfect dog!!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

The others have given great advice! Finding a furry family member is worth the time it takes to find a reputable breeder - this dog will likely be a member of your family for a good 15 years.

Cockers, esp NEED to be from a reputable breeder. They were/are overbred in backyards and puppy mills and because of that there are a lot of medical and temperment issues out there. It's imperitive that you find a good breeder to avoid that as much as possible.

Some things to ask:
What kind of contract do they require? They should require a spay/neuter and that the dog is returned to them if you cannot care for it.

How old is the mother and how many litters has she had?

Do the parents fit the breed standard?

What health tests have been done on the parents?

What kind of health guarantee does the dog come with?

How many breeds do you they bred? They shouldn't be breeding more than 1.

Do they already have homes waiting? Good breeders often don't breed a dog unless they already have homes lined up. THere is almost always a waitlist.

Are they raised in a home with people?

When are the dogs released to their forever homes? Reputable breeders won't release before 8 weeks and most good breeders will hold them until 10-11 weeks because the things they learn from the pack during those weeks are crucial! Small breeds, esp, are often held until 10-11 weeks. This is a good thing!

What kind of food do they feed? I'm a dog food snob and this is a huge sign of just how much someone truly knows about dogs and how much they care about the nutrition of their animals.

Do they have references available, including vet information?

I would be concerned if she doesn't interview you worse then you interview her. A great breeder will consider the dogs their own and want them to be placed in the best home. Good breeders will often place the pups in the homes they think fit best, they don't just let people come in and pick one. They usually want to make the best fit based on the puppy's personality at the time. This isn't a bad thing, either, if the breeder requires this.

Good luck finding that perfect dog!!!

Thanks so much! Would you be able to copy your post and maybe post what answers I should look for in another color? I'm fairly new at this, and I don't know which food is the best, what kind of contract I should look for, etc... I'm sorry, I'm just new at this (I feel like a brand new mother about to have a baby ) I just love animals so much and I really have been so sad since I graduated from college 4 1/2 years ago and couldn't have a dog (we were in an apartment that didn't allow them.)

 

[robinb]

I would use whatever food your breeder is using. High quality pet foods from pet stores are usually better because they have less fillers that the stuff found in the grocery store. That means your actually feed less food and your dog has smaller poops and who doesn't want that?

 

[SRUAlmn]

I would use whatever food your breeder is using. High quality pet foods from pet stores are usually better because they have less fillers that the stuff found in the grocery store. That means your actually feed less food and your dog has smaller poops and who doesn't want that?

AMEN SISTAH!!!