OT: looking for a puppy

[kt_mom]

I am trying to find a breeder with puppies available sometime this summer. We are interested in either a Cocker Spaniel or maybe a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. But those seem to be pretty pricey. I know with any dog its important to find a good breeder. I've looked on the AKC website and all over the place. I don't want to buy one froma pet store b/c you never really know what your getting. I'd like to get one right around 8 to 10 weeks old. I can't seem to find any. Any suggestions?

 

[Matt'sMom]

Go to Infodog.com and then click on the link for dog shows. Use the dog show calendar to find an upcoming dog show in your general area (there are a lot of Summertime shows in VA).

Go to the dog show, and meet the breeds you are considering up close and in person. Watch the breed(s) judging, and then go and talk with the breeders/owners (AFTER they are done competing in the ring). These people usually know their breed--and it's potential good and bad points--very, very well... and they are typically apt to be pretty up front and honest about whether or not a puppy of their breed would be an appropriate fit for your own individual home situation.

One of the best bits of advice I can give you is to only buy a pup from a reputable, responsible breeder... one close enough to your home that you can visit and see first hand where and how their puppies are raised. Make certain you can meet one of the parents &/or other close, adult relatives of your future canine companion. Obtain some good 'breed specific' dog books and read up on the breeds you are considering, so that you can be well informed and know the right questions to ask. (You can always sell any unwanted dog books later on Ebay or via Amazon.com--and even if you do not, the knowledge you gain and the mistakes you may avoid are well worth the minimal investment you would be making).

Take your time, and be certain you are happy with both the breed and the source of your new puppy (and the health and temperament of the individual pup itself) before you commit to a purchase. Again, be certain to meet one or more adult relatives of your pup--this will give you a fairly good idea of how he/she is most likely to turn out at maturity.

 

[blessedby3]

Be warned about cockers. My DSIS got a Cocker about 7 months ago and this dog pees everytime you look at her. They have a tendancy to do that. We used to have one and she did the same thing. Dont know why that is, but they clean up a lot of pee.

 

[mama4]

I don't know anything about Cockers but we had a Springer spaniel as children and my sis has one now. Those are super sweet, smart dogs and great with the children so you might wanna take a look at these too.

 

[TheDizMom]

Be warned about cockers. My DSIS got a Cocker about 7 months ago and this dog pees everytime you look at her. They have a tendancy to do that. We used to have one and she did the same thing. Dont know why that is, but they clean up a lot of pee.

I disagree with this. We have had several in our family and never had that problem. If you get it from a good reputable breeder you shouldn't have this problem. It sounds to me like her dog has a submissive wetting thing. All of our cockers have been sweet wonderful dogs, and great with kids.

I would also talk to a local vet in your area and see if they can give you any leads. They usually will know of good trustworthy breeders. If you don't know a good vet ask your friends who have animals for recommendations. If you have a local unniversity with a vet school that is the first place I would go to find a great vet to ask, because they will deal with them on a regular basis. Good breeders tend to use the best vets in their area. If you live in the Minnesota area PM me and I'll give you a good one to call who has really good knowledge of the local breeders because they bring their animals to her a lot. She has had several show dogs too of different breeds, and had cockers. Oops missed the Virginia thing at first. Guess this vet won't be able to help you.

 

[MNdisneymom]

Hi! I am a proud dog mom to Gus, my 10 year old Cavalier. This might be long winded, but here goes...

About the breed groups...there are two different ones, the CKCS-USA...(Cavalier King Charles Society) which is not affiliated with the AKC, but it's been around longer....and the AKC affiliated one (I forget the name) --which at the time I got Gus 10 years ago was not as well thought of. The breeders I talked to at the time all belonged to the first group, but weren't all part of the AKC thing. (This was right around the time that Cavliers got popular, and when they were first recognized by the AKC, and competed at Westminster, etc....) At the time, some standards were different (like the CKCS group required more medical testing, stuff like that) I don't know if the situation is still the same or not, but it's something to consider.

about the breed itself.... One thing to be concerned about is the extremely high percentage of Cavaliers that wind up with Mitral Valve Disease...Some get it early, some late, but almost all of them have it towards the end of life. (And it can vary in severity too--Gus is lucky at his age to only have a low-grade murmur.) Other things are normal purebred concerns, like luxating patellas, hips etc......I don't want to scare you off, though. I love Gus and every cavalier I've met has been the same--happy, active, mellow---a great family dog that can run around like a loon, then collapse on the couch for a snuggle and a nap.

I'd insert a picture of Gus if I could, but I couldn't figure out how to do it. But he's a ruby (red), with a blaze of white down his chin (it's whiter now than ever--but made him Pet Quality not Show and thus cost less $$). Oh, and I almost forgot the best part--he's named for Gus Gus from Cinderella because he was the pudgiest puppy in the litter. I can't take credit for that one though because his breeder was a Disney fan--his Dad's name was Peter Pan and his mother was Princess .

Good luck with whatever dog you choose.

 

[MNdisneymom]

Hope this works right, there should be a picture of Gus in my sig.

 

[DisneyAllison]

I have a had Cavaliers in my life since I was 11 years old. They are WONDERFUL dogs, and GREAT with kids. PM me if you want more info!

 

[blessedby3]

I disagree with this. We have had several in our family and never had that problem. If you get it from a good reputable breeder you shouldn't have this problem. It sounds to me like her dog has a submissive wetting thing. All of our cockers have been sweet wonderful dogs, and great with kids.

I never said that my DSIS's dog isnt sweet and loveable. SHe is very sweet and great with the kids. She just pees a lot when excited. We have owned 4 in my family over the years (1 when I was a child, 1 when my sis was a teen, 1 when I was an adult and now my sis has one) and they have all done this. I just thought it must be a part of the breed.
They are very sweet dogs. I was just posting my experience with them.

 

[Disneydreaming6]

I had a cocker spaniel. He never had the pee problem, but he was the product of bad breeding. He was very loyal to me and my family, but he would try and attack anyone who came near him. It didn't help that the person who gave him to us didn't treat him correctly, we were given him when he was 5 mo old. Our vet said they were seeing more and more cockers with bad personalities due to the inbreeding some back yard breeders do. So please check the breeder carefully. Good luck with your puppy hunt

 

[pha1226]

You seem to have your heart set on a puppy of a specific breed but there are tons of sweet dogs in shelters waiting for homes...just saying. Best of luck in your search.

 

[kt_mom]

Thank you for all the responses. I think I do want to go with the Cocker Spaniel if I can find one, and I think I may have. The Cavalier's seem to be quite a bit more expensive. There are alot of other up front expenses as well as continued expenses in getting a puppy. I don't think I want to pay the price I am running into for the Cavaliers. They are pretty though.

I had a Cocker Spaniel growing up and we didn't have the pee problem, but we did have temper problems with him. He was still a good dog though. Now I just need to find one. Thanks again!

 

[goinback]

Be warned about cockers. My DSIS got a Cocker about 7 months ago and this dog pees everytime you look at her. They have a tendancy to do that. We used to have one and she did the same thing. Dont know why that is, but they clean up a lot of pee.

I have to agree! My Sister in law has one that pees everytime the doorbell rings,or whenever a man comes in! He is a very sweet dog, and has been thru ob school with success in every area but the pee thing. I have a neighbor who breeds adorable shelties, and we are not too far! But in my personal opinion, I LOVE golden retrievers!! Best dog in the world!!!

 

[Order66]

My parents have had Cockers for many years, adopted rescues. And I'm a vet tech so I see LOTS of dogs every day. Many years ago Cockers were the #1 registered breed. Popularity brings a lot of problems to a breed, including too much breeding for profit to meet the demand. Along with many health problems, the temperament of this breed suffered as people didn't take anything into account when breeding, except registered parents. Cockers tended to be super fearful/shy to down right nasty dogs with very few sweet natured dogs inbetween.

In recent years the popularity has backed off a bit and they have gotten a lot better. We see very few ill tempered Cockers anymore....but unfortunately still many health problems. My parents current dog has luxation of the patellas, cherry eye and hypothyroid. Their previous dog had 2 torn ACL's, glaucoma and chronic ear infections. There are more issues this breed can suffer from. Research, research, research the health issues in this breed and contact a lot of breeders and ask about pedigrees, health testing and guarantees they offer.

You can start by calling your local all breed AKC club. Most of them have breeder referral. Start by calling those breeders and they'll refer you to even more breeders. Visit them when possible and prepare to wait to get a well bred pup.

OTOH, if you'd like to keep costs down, consider a rescue dog. If you are set on a certain breed, there is a rescue for them. Dogs of all ages including puppies can be adopted if you take your time and find a good rescue. A woman where I work does small breed rescue and brought in the cutest CCCS prego-momma not too long ago. Just a few months ago I adopted from a rescue in GA (and I'm in OH). A wonderful 2 year old purebred that was starved and dumped. I know just from the area that she came from that she easily cost her owner 2500 as a pup. I got her for a bargin. A promise to get her healthy and provide her a good forever home.