puppy colour change

[emilyjw]

Hi,

Something else I would add regarding the show/work mix is you won't be able to tell whether the puppy looks like a show or working type.

We have Bracken who out of her whole 5 generation pedigree has two working cockers in her gg grandparents (both on the mothers side), but she looks quite working cocker like and has very short fur with just a smidgen of feathering. This may not be a problem to you, but is something else to consider.

Em

[Cayley]

If you haven't already, have a read of the link below about how to find a reputable breeder so you can get an idea of what to look for  .

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=2019.0

[Gilly]

My puppies are kept in a separate room away from the busy day to day bustle of the household until they are around 3 weeks old, obviously family members go in and out etc but apart from that everything is kept very low key. They then get moved downstairs in a more central area of the house and people can then visit from 4 weeks onwards. No one is having a go at you or calling you naive but I would be seriously concerned if a breeder is letting you anywhere near puppies that young 

[Jane S]

Indie, please be careful - I don't know any reputable breeder who would allow potential puppy buyers to visit what looks like a new born litter (the pup in the photo still looks quite bony which to me indicates he's only a few days old at best). You also shouldn't be expected to choose a puppy at this tender age - as someone else has said, anything could happen as sadly not all newborn pups survive the first few weeks This litter isn't in the Hants area is it? If it is, PM me as I may be able to help you with further info on the breeder concerned.

[tracyd]

I agree with all the others.  I would be worried about this breeder and would consider looking elsewhere for a puppy.  If she is not knowledgable enough to know when to let people come and see the puppies i would be worried about how she actually breeds them and what problems you may have with this puppy in the future if you do buy it.  Like you i am quite naive and tend to just trust people but this did set alarm bells ringing.  Keep us posted anyway and good luck xx

[CarolineL]

You also shouldn't be expected to choose a puppy at this tender age - as someone else has said, anything could happen as sadly not all newborn pups survive the first few weeks This litter isn't in the Hants area is it? If it is, PM me as I may be able to help you with further info on the breeder concerned.

Thats exactly what I was thinking Jane..... Indies post reminded me so much of my first post I asked her the same question (which got the answer  I was expecting) Sadly it doesnt always work out ok as my experience was testament to.

[Caprilli]

I am sorry to barge into the conversation like this but seeing buyers early is very common on the continent. As I am originally from Germany I have always kept it this way. Our puppy buyers come from the first week on but are not allowed to touch the puppies or sit directly by the whelping box. My puppies are in our office for the first two weeks as I spend a lot of time in there but there is no coming and going. So any potential puppy buyer (who are only allowed to visit at weekends) will be able to take a quick glimpse at the puppies but then we move on into the kitchen for a talk. After their first two weeks the puppies move into the kitchen where everything happens in this house (it is rather large with a big dining table etc). From the time the puppies have their eyes open puppy buyers are allowed to touch them too. With four and a half weeks the puppies move to a Summerhouse within a large enclosed area outdoors where they have plenty of toys such as tunnels, sand boxes, tree trunks, paddling pool and whatever else's I feel is important to socialise puppies.
Having said all of this - I think many things need to come together when you go about choosing a breeder. A statement such as the promise that a white patch on the nose will disappear would make me more mistrusting as it almost sounds that the breeder is trying to persuade you to buy the puppy........... The other worry would be the fact that the breeder is offering you a choice at this age. Not only is puppy survival not guaranteed at this age but there is also no way of knowing which temperament the puppy will display and there can be huge variations. One more concern in this department would be the fact that most reputable and well established breeders would have at least some show enquiries for the litter which means any pet home would have to wait until the breeder has made a decision regarding the "pick of the litter". When my litters are born it is more than likely that the puppies are already spoken for and it is very rare that I have not met potential buyers before the birth of the puppies. Would they be complete and utter strangers that did not sound to promising over the phone they would not set foot into my house while a litter was about.


Greetings,
Stephanie

[Gilly]

But we are not in Germany we are in the UK and no reputable breeder would let strangers in to see puppies at such a young age 

[bella15]

My puppies are kept in a separate room away from the busy day to day bustle of the household until they are around 3 weeks old, obviously family members go in and out etc but apart from that everything is kept very low key. They then get moved downstairs in a more central area of the house and people can then visit from 4 weeks onwards. No one is having a go at you or calling you naive but I would be seriously concerned if a breeder is letting you anywhere near puppies that young 

I agree with Gilly,My puppies are also kept  in a room just with mum,for the first two weeks it was only my OH & me that went in with them,when they were three weeks old my eldest two grandchildren (11 & 13) were also allowed to help,followed by the younger ones for the puppies to get used to children.I did not let anyone  come to the house to view the puppies until they were five weks old and then as long as they phoned me in advance they could come and see their chosen bundle of fun anytime (although they were made to use Hibiscrub on their hands and remove their shoes before touching the puppy!) I had one lady who came everyweek until she could take her puppy home.

[Caprilli]

But we are not in Germany we are in the UK and no reputable breeder would let strangers in to see puppies at such a young age 

I have been living in the UK for the last six years and I guess what I am trying to say is that opinions can vary. Admitingly I am not only from a different country but breed a different breed too. 

Greetings,
Stephanie

[Jane S]

I have been living in the UK for the last six years and I guess what I am trying to say is that opinions can vary. Admitingly I am not only from a different country but breed a different breed too. 

I don't think opinions vary that much, not in Cockers anyway. We have breeder friends in other countries and all share pretty much the same approach to breeding as we in the UK do. I've also yet to read any modern dog breeding book which says that allowing puppy buyers to see newborn litters is good practice

Anyway, I'll close this thread for now as I think poor Indie has been given enough to think about. She now has additional info on the breeder and it's up to her now