Now that's how to lose genetic diversity - mate all the bitches in the area to the same dog
Will this gamekeeper really be able to find good, permanent homes for the offspring of 6-7 bitches? I'm quite shocked really - it's the sort of thing you expect from commercial pet breeders who frequently mate all their bitches to one dog but somehow I didn't expect it so much from Working Cocker breeders
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I don't think this keeper has breed before but came from another area (around 40 miles away) and from the sounds of things he was a keeper with his father on an estate somewhere (I overheard the conversation during beating over christmas)....but yep I totally agree its the naivety of it all really; going into something that they have no idea about...loads of people have asked if we will breed from Fenn, and like you Nic this happens a lot at gamefairs because yes she is very pretty, well behaved and small, which a lot of the men are interested by but not once ask about health only what lines she has in her pedigree...most the time not even that.
To be honest and I will probably be told off, we had it in mind that we MAY of breed from Fenn when she was about three; she was coming on nicely, steady in temprement, good worker and we thought see how she goes, OH wanted to see about trialing her ect ect.....but after reading all on here, plus all the problems she has gone through, it wouldn't be fair and the thought of loosing her if things went wrong,through in a sense, our own selfishness i guess for wanting to keep a bit of her when she goes too (if thats sounds silly), is again not fair. I'm not saying that in the future if we had a cocker whom had proved she was a good gundog, good temperament and paramount tested well for all health conditions, that I had the time, money, research and knowledge, was prepared for everything, I wouldn't consider it but realistically that ain't never gonna happen...but that in part is because I care and take the time to come on forums like this because I care about this breed (am besotted with it) and want to do the best for my dog....i think it is such a shame that anybody can by a dog and basically do what they like with it, even without any bad intentions as such just don't know any better....sorry I'll get off my soap box