Is a cocker spaniel for us?

[Dog Mad]

Hello,

Love the site, lots of helpful information.  Hope you can help us.

We currently have a Collie X 8 yr old bitch and a 7yr old Lhaso Apso dog (both have been neutered).  We are looking at getting a Cocker or a Springer Spaniel, so firstly what are your preferences?

Our dogs are well socialised and get on with all other dogs but we are wondering what sex the new addition should be?

We both work but obviously would take time off whilst the pup settled in and then have someone call in during the day (my parents are the usual dog sitters!) to let them out.  Is this enough for a spaniel as we have read that they need human companionship and would not be satified with having other dogs for company?

Also what health checks should the pups have?  

We have only just started thinking about getting another dog, and therefore would not be thinking of actually getting one till next year sometime, what is the average waiting time to get a dog from a reputable breeder?

Plenty of questions there for the time being I think.  Hope we get lots of replies.

Thanks

Debbie & Chris                    

[PennyB]

One thing re pups in general is that they need a routine that often requires owners to be around a lot of the day for a lot longer than you're suggesting. Until they are housetrained a pup would need someone letting them out every hour as they have terribly small bladders (ok there will be accidents but the pup could get into a habit of going to the toilet inside as it hasn't quite got the hang of it because there's no one around long enough to let them out and teach them otherwise). Training in general is something they need in short bursts throughout the day (have a look at Gwen Baileys book the perfect puppy) as again they have very short concentration spans.

It'd had been a long time since I had a pup and I'd forgotten how hard it was.

Am sure someone will add to this or disagree with me!

Re the sex I don't think it really matters.

Of course I'd always say cockers though                    

[Jane S]

I agree with Penny and would just add that I wouldn't leave a very young puppy alone with older dogs for any length of time without supervision. Your dogs may well like the company of other dogs but even well-socialised dogs can find young pups quite annoying at times :wink: Another thing is that accidents can happen - your older dog could injure a small pup without meaning to. I had a friend whose puppy's jaw was broken by her older dog when she left them together to go to work - probably there was no malice intended, just rough play that got out of hand.

If you do decide to go ahead with a Cocker puppy, it is recommended that both parents should have current clear eye-test certificates (ie tested within the last 12 months) and some breeders are now hip scoring also. More information on Cocker health issues can be found at www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/health.htm. Waiting times for puppies from reputable breeders varies - you may be lucky & not have to wait more than a few weeks or it could be months, particularly if you have your eye on any of the less common colours.

Jane                    

[Dog Mad]

Thanks for that.

I know that the debate of 'how long is ok to leave a pup' can get a bit heated and so many people have different opinions depending on their experience.

Previously I have had two dogs, both from pups and worked full time when I had both.  Both times I had two weeks off work when I first got them, and then worked 6 hour days.  I also had people call in to feed them and stay for a while and they also had use of the dog flap to go in and out of the garden.

They both turned out fine and had no problem with training, probably because we are so dedicated to them when we are together.

With regards to rough and tumble play when I am not around, what would you recommend?  Would it be ok to seperate it from the other two, maybe by using a safety gate, or would this cause distress?

I did have a third dog which was introduced as a pup and I left them together, although as a pup he was the same size as a full grown cocker!  They were fine and the other two two accepted him, unfortunately he died a few months ago at only 5 yrs old due to bloat.

So really it is not the training I am too concerned with.  I also would prefer a pup rather than a rescue, as we also have other pets.

Any more comments would be really appreciated, especially regarding people's experience between springer and cocker spaniels.

Many thanks

Debbie & Chris                    

[Jane S]

If you are going ahead with a puppy, I would recommend a puppy pen for the hours when no-one will be at home. Some people prefer dog crates but a pen gives more room more freedom for the pup to move around.

The subject of Springers v Cockers has come up before on the forum so you might find this topic useful: http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/forum/viewt...opic.php?t=4779

Jane                    

[padfoot]

Puppies need a lot of company and training until they are at least six months old. I don't personally feel 2 weeks off work is very long for an 8-10 week old puppy, unless people will be spending significant time every day (as in hours) with him/her.
That's just my opinion...as you say, some people do find things work out.
If you opt for a puppy, I would say a cocker would be a better bet than aSpringer. Both have lots of energy and need companionship, but Springers are often even livelier than cockers (who don't do a bad job of lively themselves   ).
Don't rule out a rescue dog simply because you have other pets. I have three rescue dogs...all have fitted in to my home with my other pets and my children without a hitch. It's often a case of finding the right match.

Good luck with your search anyway                      

[admark]

Hi, I have had a springer when I was yonger as the family dog and they are lively and really are best if you have time both during the day and evening to get that energy out of them. In terms of pups, well all pups need attention but the theory that if your work full-time then it bars you from taking a pup I feel is wrong.  If you can dedicate good quality time as in a couple of hours in the morning, maybe 45 mins in a lunch hour and then a good few hours in the evening then to my mind this is fine. All breeders have there own opinions on this but to exclude such persons who love dogs and would give the pup a terrific loving home to me is a little sad. I have heard and seen pups go to families where the mother actually is so busy looking after the kids, going shopping, 'doing lunch', getting her nails done etc that the pups are either forgotton about or are just ignored and locked in the kitchen. So just because you work full-time does not reflect the amount of care and guidance you can give your pup.  In terms of leaving the pup, most think no more than 3-4 hours is fair so if you can pop home for lunch or get someone to pop in then all the better. I definately think if you are to leave the pup you invest in a play pen of good size. This will then minimise the pup messing and any damage it may cause. You will have to expect to clean up the the newspaper in the pen as has already been mentioned pups bladders are not under control. However, gradually you will come home to less mess and even dry paper and then you will know that you are making progress. The pup will probably cry at first in the pen and when you leave but this is natural and in time it will become less.  In terms of waiting time for cockers, this is a bit of pot luck and depends if you want to buy from a really well known breeder in the cocker circles, then you might have to go on a waiting list. Normally however you will find that after some searching around you'll locate the litter - the place we looked was the Kennel Club puppy register , this lists all registered litters by area, you should find quite a few at this time of year.  Good Luck.                    

[Jane S]

In terms of waiting time for cockers, this is a bit of pot luck and depends if you want to buy from a really well known breeder in the cocker circles, then you might have to go on a waiting list. Normally however you will find that after some searching around you'll locate the litter - the place we looked was the Kennel Club puppy register , this lists all registered litters by area, you should find quite a few at this time of year.  Good Luck.

A word of warning about the KC Puppy Register - you really do take pot luck when contacting breeders on this list as whilst some are reputable breeders & do all the recommended health-screening tests, many are not! Just because a breeder appears on this list is no guarantee they are reputable as the KC does not & never has vetted those who use their system. The Puppy Register does exclude those who have more than 4 litters a year in theory but puppy farmers can easily get round this ruling by registering litters in different family names. That's not to say that it's not possible to find a nice litter from a good breeder on this list but you need to be on your guard & assume nothing :wink:

Jane                    

[PennyB]

Personally I'd contact the relevant breed club for breeders who may have puppies available                    

[admark]

Hi, as Penny and Jane have said, during your search you need to feel happy with the breeder. There are many resources to assist in your search, actually we also contacted the cockers breeder club in our area, we spoke with the secretary who told us that her Dog has just sired another cocker who's litter was due and we got ours that way. It was just meant to be. Later our breeder registered her litter with the KC.  Also the thing about the KC register is that some breeders do not register straight away and when they do it takes a week or two for the litter to go on the register, by which time some of the pups are gone. There are many ways to find that litter and I'm sure you'll get there in the end and find the right puppy that is out that waiting for you.                    

[Dog Mad]

Wow, plenty of advice there, thanks a lot.

I should imagine that as a maximum the pup would be left from 9.30 - 12.30 and 1.30 till 4.30. 4 days a week.  But as our parents are retired and also dog lovers they would be willing to call in throughout the day and keep their new grandchild (doggy!)   company.

Like I have said it is something we won't be rushing into and we won't get one till next year.  So I think that on our yearly visit to Crufts next year we will make sure we go on gundog day and then we will be able to get more tips and meet lots of Cocker owners.

I noticed that there is a North West meet, possibly in a months time which is on our local stomping ground (Squires Gate, Blackpool).  Do you think it would be ok to go along with our two dogs and meet them?

Debbie & Chris                    

[Magic Star]

I noticed that there is a North West meet, possibly in a months time which is on our local stomping ground (Squires Gate, Blackpool).  Do you think it would be ok to go along with our two dogs and meet them?

Debbie & Chris

You would be more than welcome Debbie and Chris   My mum comes along to the meets with her labrador too :wink:                    

[JoHarborne]

Going to Crufts is a really good idea - that's what we did this year and three weeks ago we got our puppy!!  I would suggest that you go to the Discover Dogs section where just about every dog is represented.  We got hold of a very helpful leaflet from the chap at the Cocker Spaniel stall and he explained the show programme to us and how we might go about introducing ourselves to breeders.  And of course we watched a lot of judging and basically fell in love.  

When I first got to the judging area and saw HUNDREDS of Cockers, I nearly burst into tears!!  I was so excited!!!  Don't be afraid to talk to people, mingle and take it all in.  You should be able to pick up loads of advice and information about how to find a suitable breeder.

Good Luck!!!