Don't know what to do!

[henryjack1dogs]

Very long story!

Experienced cocker home, lost my last boy early Feb.  Miss having a cocker and started  looking for a new puppy for the near future.  Well I have chatted to some lovely people over the weeks who have litters now and then.  Plan really was to have a new puppy from August onwards.  After to speaking to one particular lady a couple of times went to see her litter - 3 pups, 1 boy and I bottled and put a deposit down - the little boy ready in 2 weeks.  Black Cocker spaniel - white spot on chest - show type - met mum and dad lovely temperaments - she had 9 cockers in a tiny house and when asked if they come in the house she said they all have their time in but not together.  The top dog was in a cage, as she doesn't get on with the bitch who had the puppies so they have to be in seperate rooms..  I must stress this lady was lovely but does anyone understand when I say in love with her dogs but maybe a little hazy to is she doing right by them all.  The parents of the cocker are both dna tested, clear!

My dilema is I managed to locate the lady who bred my two cockers and we were chatting, me very emotional about the loss of my boys and chatted how wonderful they both were, so blessed to of had 15 years with them.  Asked her in general do you know of any nice people who have cocker litters (she no longer breeds), unexpectedly she said simi the dad to my cockers -  one of his puppy bitches was homed not far from her and they have kept the line going.  Sourced this ladies No. she's got a litter on the way, all her dogs have Simi however distant in him.  Well, I was overwhelmed - I know it's not my boys back but the tiny winciest little bit of related to them just makes me well. 

Decision - do I go a head with the first puppy who I am sure will be lovely and stop reading in to things with the situation of her dogs or do I go for a puppy out of this other litter not due for another 6 weeks (if the mating was succesful) who are so very distant related to my boys.

I am torn, my husband say's no matter what puppy I choose it will have a lovely life with us.  He does think because we drove 2 hours and put a sizeable deposit down and we all loved the puppy we should go forward with this one but on the other hand he said the decision is mine.

If you are awake still, I would love your views x

[wrenside]

Well my first question would be is the dam and sire of the litter on its way in 6 weeks time dna tested? If yes, why don't you arrange to visit the pregnant bitch to see if you like her better than the dam of the pup you have put the deposit down for. If yes, then I'd ring up the breeder of the pup you have put a deposit down for and explain the situation to her. (If she wants the best for her pups then she'll probably be a little miffed but will not pressure you into taking the pup you have booked from her - as good breeders will want the new owners of any pup to be 100% happy with everything and will probably have quite a few people on a waiting list for pups anyway so will always be able to find homes for their pups )

Basically, only you can decide which pup from which litter will suit you best, and breeders should respect that and should help you in making the correct decision for your situation. There's no harm in being a demanding customer! 

Good luck.

Mary xxx

[henryjack1dogs]

Hi Mary,

Thanks for your reply.  The bitch who is mated is both pra - fn clear, all Simi's dogs are.  I am going to see her on Thursday along with all her other dogs.  I am only considering this because of the history with my boys.

I will call the lady, with the puppy on friday if I decide not to go with him.  She did say she had 3/4 people wanting him, so I am sure she will get him homed.  If they are both lovely, which I am sure they will be would you be pulled more because of the history.  I loved my dogs so much the thought of a distant relative coming in to our homes just makes it feel right.  Just don't know what to do...Just rambling

Thank you for your time to reply x

[waggytails]

I'm sorry i cant help with your decision but just wanted to say i know were you are comming from as i lost Millie my old girl last week and although i am not ready to get another dog ( i already have Hattie) i did find myself looking at the website of Millies fathers side and thinking it would be lovely to be able to have some part of her back with me albeit very distant.  I think its a very difficult decision you have to make but i am sure which ever one you choose will be the right one

[wrenside]

I loved my dogs so much the thought of a distant relative coming in to our homes just makes it feel right. 

I think that this says it all really.

If both of the puppies have fully health tested parents and you like the temperament of both of the dams then just go with what your heart tells you to do, as you've done all of the proper checks that your head tells you to do 

Go with your gut instinct 

Mary xxx

[Sarah1985]

I dont know if this is as true in the show lines but Ive got 2 working cockers from completely different lines and the difference in personality is huge. Ive spoken to people with dogs from similar lines to my boy and they're all exactly like him. Completely mental and cant sit still for a min.

Meanwhile my little girls relatives are very popular in my area as working dogs. The fellow cocker owners round her (lot who go on shoots) describe her as from steady lines. And she is much calmer, just goes with the flow and incrediably focused but can be grumpy if shes interupted from the task in hand

While this mix works for us its interesting to see how much variation there is.If you can mix from the lines you know and love Id definately go for it.

I think you'll know when you see the bitch from the same lines as to whether its the right thing to do.

And yes i would be put off by her having 2 dogs that didnt get on in the same house. Its entirely possible that its this pups mum that has the agression issues and that this will rub off in the pups. If it was me paying this money and taking on a new member to my family I wouldnt want to risk any problems. But then Im a worrier and very picky about where my dogs come from but I think its better to be that way than hope for the best

[henryjack1dogs]

waggytails - I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your cocker Millie - It's such an awful time, I am still grieving for my Jack, thank you for your views and it's made me realise I am not alone in thinking like this.

Mary - thank you again, it does say it all.

Sarah - The funny things is my two cockers were brothers different litters - chalk and cheese!  Henry was thick set - a funny character - I still remember with the biggest smile when I chased him around a country park with a camera he had picked up from some young girls picnic blanket - everytime I got close he swung his body round and went round me, not going fast you sneaky around and Jack lean - mad as a box of frogs, very different but both temperament spot on.  So I know the puppies could be a mix of anything but just somewhere/distantly they would be connected two the both of them   They got up to so much mischief in their days - Jack at 13 weeks first little walk on the country walk- decided to jump in the lake and swim off - My heart missed a beat.  They are so missed....I was very lucky

[coralee]

If both of the puppies have fully health tested parents and you like the temperament of both of the dams then just go with what your heart tells you to do, as you've done all of the proper checks that your head tells you to do 

Go with your gut instinct 

Mary xxx
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I'm with Mary on this one - I really do believe in gut instinct. You going to see Mum of the 2nd litter is a good idea, and I think you'll know there and then where your decision lies.

I got Harvey  (Black) after losing Riker  (Black) - my friends and family did all they could to stop me getting another black cocker - worried that I was trying to "replace" Riker. I still went with a black puppy knowing in my heart I wasn't replacing Riker, I just knew, when I saw Harvey that he was "the" one. Gut instinct.

Whatever choice you make - just know you made the right one and I wish you many many joyful years with your new puppy when it arrives

[Manchester_Spaniel]

Hello! Well what a dilemma - I'd have to say I agree with everyone else, go for your gut instinct!

If you have gone to the effort of tracking down the original breeder you know in your heart there is a reason for it, if both litters pass with flying colours in terms of the sensible 'head' bit of the decision, let the heart make the decider.

Let us know what you decide! 

Jo

[vixen]

The funny things is my two cockers were brothers different litters - chalk and cheese!  Henry was thick set - a funny character

I have two working cocker litter sisters who are completely different too 
My black one is very scatty but so loving, her blue roan is very clever but a bit full of herself and quite aloof
If dogs share blood lines there is a possibility that will they have similar characteristics but it is not guaranteed.
Remember you did originally want a puppy about August but when you visit a litter it is SO easy to be tempted  and  I think your heart ruled your head (as it is so easy to do).
Sometimes things happen for a reason - you have learnt about this related litter BEFORE you have your new dog so you can choose.

[Roslyn McConnell]

I think it is two separate issues. If you are in ANY way uncomfortable about the condition of the dogs in the first home, for whatever reason then I would walk away, losing your deposit is a small price to pay to make sure u get the dog u want in the long run.

As for getting a puppy related to simi you have to be sure that u have in ur mind that the new puppy is an individual, you will have simi's memory fresh in your mind and how perfectly he fitted into your life so it may be hard not to compare the new puppy to him, especially through the teething stage!!! But simi was so good because of YEARS of hard work from you and it will take the new pupster just as long to get there, I know u you this but it can be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster taking on a relative of a much missed pet so you might have to prepare yourself for more memories floodling back than if you had a non-relative.

Goodluck with your new puppy, just take your time and you will find the perfect one!!!

[henryjack1dogs]

Hi.  Roslyn,

I am looking forward to bringing a lively bundle in to our lifes, whichever decision we go with.  The puppies that we have already visited seemed healthy alert little bundles.  Just the set up I questioned in my head.  I know any puppy won't be like my old boys, they were them and the new puppy will be him, a fresh new addition to our lively home.  Simi was the father of my boys, who like them has long been at rest, I am looking forward to have a young dog in our lifes again, watching a young puppy grow in to a young dog and so on.  The long country walks when they are older, I am not looking at replacing them nothing could, just the history behind them.

Jack who left us most recently was black and white - stunning - I couldn't have anther black and white to raw - to personal to him.  Henry who I lost 24/10/07 was a blue roan and although I thought I couldn't have another blue - I think I could I smile when I see another cocker similar to him.  I love the colour and time as passed a little.  The litter distant related will most likely be blue roan the puppy that I have already visited is Black!

Which ever dog I take, will have a forever home, through all the stages of their life's.

Thank you for your views, it makes me think that little more and confirms my thinking.  xx

[wrenside]

Just wanted to say, good luck with whatever you decide 

and please can we see some photos of your new pup when you get him!!   

Best wishes,

Mary xx

[BabyB]

If your heart is set on having a distant relative to a doglet that you have lost, then I think that's what you should go for.

Although like Roslyn has said, the pup will be an individual.  He/she may not be like the character of the one you have lost.  So I'd hate for you to be disappointed if you don't see many similarities as the pup grows older.

Your husband is right, whatever doglet you decide to go for, it sounds like it will have a lovely, loving forever home.

Good luck 

[henryjack1dogs]

Hi.

I am not looking for similarities really to my old boys.  They were brothers and very different, a good temperament/healthy for whichever way I decide will be enough for us.  It's just the connection that pulls me to the possible litter to be.

Thank you for all your views, looking forward to seeing 6 dogs/bitches all distant related to my boys tomorrow.  Especially the bitch that may be carrying pups.