I have had Maisie for almost 4 months now. It has been quite a hard road and not without incident. However, at last I feel we are making progress. She will now sleep through the night without barking, |she suffered from dreadful separation anxiety when I first got her), although she does wake early - between 5.30 and 6.00 a.m. As long as I have not been disturbed this is not too much of a problem. She is now going to the door and asking to go out. There have been quite a few accidents in the house and at times I have despaired of her ever being house trained. She is definitely a one woman dog and a complete cuddle monster with me. However, she will still not let anyone who visits stroke or touch her.
When I got Maisie I was told she may be infertile as she had never had a season, she is just 2 years old now. Last night I realised she had come into season, which was quite a surprise. My question is does anyone have a cocker bitch who they have chosen not to have spayed, although they have absolutely no intention of breeding from the dog. Maisie has been through so much in her short life and in a way I was hoping she would prove to be infertile so I would not have to put her through being spayed. Also, she has a beautiful silky coat and I know neutering would spoil her coat. I have owned two female cockers and two males and all of them have been neutered at some stage. I would welcome your opinions.
Also, does anyone know if it is possible to establish breed lines from a blood test. I have no pedigree for Maisie. She is a beautiful example of the breed and I would love to know her breed lines. Maisie is blue roan.