Breeders and genetic testing question

[Tessawoolfson]

We've been trying to find our first cocker spaniel pup for a while now, and I've noticed that quite a few breeders haven't had the mums and dads tested for PRA or FN.  Should I find a breeder where the parents have been tested, or is it normal for some people not to get them tested?

Thanks.

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

I would want the health tests
I dont know if your looking for working or show but alot more show breeders health test than working breeders.
Its not impossible tough to find a optigen tested working cocker, Bries dad (worker) has been optigen tested for PRA though we did really struggle to find a litter where both parents were health tested so settled on the dad having the clear optigen tests and dam having the kc bva eye tests.
In show cockers i believe most reputable breeders health test both sire and dam. 

[Tessawoolfson]

Thanks for replying so quickly.  It is a show cocker that we are looking for.  I guessed that it was probably right for someone to test their sire and dam but as I have come across more and more people who don't I was wondering if I was being over-cautious!  I guess we'll just have to hang on until we find the right pup....

Thanks.

P.S. Actually the other thing I should mention is that we had been advised that it was better to get from someone who was a hobby breeder rather than a professional breeder.  I don't know if this makes a difference to your answer  to my question - are hobby breeders less likely to get the DNA testing?

[tiamaria]

Thanks for replying so quickly.  It is a show cocker that we are looking for.  I guessed that it was probably right for someone to test their sire and dam but as I have come across more and more people who don't I was wondering if I was being over-cautious!  I guess we'll just have to hang on until we find the right pup....

Thanks.

post on the 'puppy wanted' thread further down the forum - sure you'l get someone who can help. 

Sorry just noticed that you have already done that.

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

I *think* some people suggest hobby breaders over what they see as proffesionals because they believe hobby breeders are lovely people who just want to experience a litter of pups and proffesional breeders are big kennels who churn out alot of pups and dont care. There is good and bad breeders who could fit into both categories.
There explains it so much better than i can
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=48072.0

[supergirl]

Definitely make sure you go to a breeder that has had their dogs tested.   I learned the hard way last year after getting my first puppy from a "hobby" breeder.  I lost the dog to FN at a year old, probably one of the most upsetting things that has happened in my life and wouldn't wish it on anyone.  Its worth doing the research, and getting recommendations and asking for references from previous buyers.

Good luck with your search.

[louisedi]

i would get a pup from someone, who does all the health checks.

Our first cocker developed pra & glucoma, & had both her eyes removed, well upsetting.

All my dogs are checked for pra & fn.


Good luck with your puppy search.


Louise & Harbethol gang

[Tessawoolfson]

I really appreciate all your replies.  I just have one more question about choosing a breeder.....some people have told me that we should choose a breeder who raises the pups indoors so that the pups are used to a home environment.  I have spoken to a few breeders who raise the pups outside in kennels or in a barn - is this something I should avoid as well?

I'm not sure if this is the right board to post these questions on, so apologies if not.

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

Brie was raised in a kennel outside. During the day the breeder brought the pups into the kitchen or left the kitchen door open so the pups could be in and out as they pleased.
As long as the breeder is putting effort in to socialise them and spending alot of time with them its fine.
Jack was raised indoors by his breeder and i didnt notice a huge difference between Jack and Brie when we brought them home.
Brie was actually more confident than Jack and much more affectionate. Niether was bothered by household noises and both settled really quickly

[Jeanette]

If you are looking for a show type puppy then contact your local breed club who will be able to advise you of reputable breeders who may/do have puppies available.   I would go down this route first if you haven't done already 

http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/breedclubs.htm

[Coco]

Have you looked at the FAQ part of the boards on finding the right breeder'puppy. It should help 

[Nicola]

Rodaidh (working Cocker) lived in gundog kennels with 60 odd other dogs for the first 5 and a half months of his life, I don't know if he was ever in the house at all after the first couple of weeks, if he was it won't have been for long and he's had no issues at all. He was house trained within a few days of coming home and had no problems adapting. He's the most affectionate and biddable and best behaved of all my dogs and he's actually the only one of them who isn't scared of the hoover  If everything else was equal and I had a choice I'd go for home reared but I really haven't had any problems with Rodaidh at all, in fact the complete opposite.

[Cob-Web]

Just to confuse the issue, I have always understood the term hobby breeder to mean someone who commits time and money to their dogs, learning as much as they can about them and becoming experienced "as a hobby", rather than someone who breeds their dog "for the children" or "just the odd litter" (often known as Backyard Breeders) or someone who breeds to make money (commercial breeders).

In my experience, hobby breeders are the ones most likely to carry out tests etc, because they are knowledgeable and committed to their dogs - they learn about the genetics of their bitches and seek a suitable, compatible sire, with the aim of improving the quality of the dogs for whatever discipline (show, work, agility) that they participate in with their dogs.

Hobby breeders may have their dogs in kennels rather than a home environment; often if a "hobby" has taken over the home, it expands into a garden building of some form and dogs are no exception 

No matter which type of breeder you find, there are definitely key points that you need to look for (in the link'y that Jeanette has posted); and DNA testing is one of them 

[supergirl]

I really appreciate all your replies.  I just have one more question about choosing a breeder.....some people have told me that we should choose a breeder who raises the pups indoors so that the pups are used to a home environment.  I have spoken to a few breeders who raise the pups outside in kennels or in a barn - is this something I should avoid as well?

I'm not sure if this is the right board to post these questions on, so apologies if not.

My first dog was brought up indoors, and my current two were in kennels outdoors - personally have seen no difference in their temprements.  Any good breeder will make the effort to socialise puppies.

[bluegirl]

Personally if testing is available then breeders should be open enough to use them. They help eliminate genetic problems from dogs so even if you "only want a pet" you are spending a huge amount of money and taking a risk with someone who feels their dogs don't need testing. You owe it to the pup to choose one from tested stock and you deserve one that you at least know can't go on to develop the 2 identifiable genetic diseases in cockers.

If at least one dog is known to be clear of these diseases it will mean that none of the pups will develop the diseases but they may be carriers which unless you intend to breed from them with not be an issue.