Going to see a Show Strain Blue Roan Bitch Cocker Puppy this week

[poppy]

Hi, I hope I have posted this post in the correct section.  I'm new to the forum and don't want to get things wrong.

My question is I am going to Portsmouth, Hampshire to see a little Show Strain Blue Roan Cocker Puppy this week and I have said that I want a little girl.  They have put me down for having one, but it is all down to how things go this week, either Thursday or Friday.  I have checked that both parents have been DNA PRA and FN.  The mother has had 8 puppies.  4 bitches and 4 dogs.  There are 2 bitches that are Blue Roan and the other 2 are Black and White.

What should I be looking for when I go to put my deposit down.  I've chosen a name, so far, being Poppy, which I believe is quite popular, but my mum likes Jemima too.  Should I ask to look at the Kennel Club Registration and any medical notes too.  Should I go for the most lively one of the 2?  What else should I do?

I've got a 15 year old Diabetic Cat who I will have to put to sleep sometime in July, it all depends on what the Vet has to say this coming Wednesday, but he did mention Euthanasia the last time I saw him with Micka when she had an infection in her foot and her Diabetes was not under control.  I've given her nearly a whole week's prescription of anti-biotics and an antihistamine to stop her overgrooming her poor little coat, which is going bare on her tail and on her legs.  I have increased her Insulin from 2 units to 2.5 units.  I love her dearly and it is going to be a heart breaking decision to put her to sleep, but everyone tells me that I am doing the right thing for my Micka.

Thank you for your help
Lizzie xxx 
 

[louisedi]

Hi are you looking to show your pup, or just a much loved pet, if you want to show, make it clear to the breeder firstly,
ask too see photo of Dad, and any other relatives, breeder should have copies of DNA test results, ask about insurance, diet needs, most breeders give out an information pk,
good luck

[poppy]

Hi are you looking to show your pup, or just a much loved pet, if you want to show, make it clear to the breeder firstly,
ask too see photo of Dad, and any other relatives, breeder should have copies of DNA test results, ask about insurance, diet needs, most breeders give out an information pk,
good luck

Thanks for the info.  The Breeder breeds from home.  He has sent me a couple of pictures of the Mum with her Litter all suckling around her and one other puppy. 
All are DNA PRA and FN checked. The bitch lives with him and is his pet as is her Mum. They come with insurance and first jabs, puppy pack and care sheet.  The puppy will be fed on Royal Canin (sp?).  He has shown in the photo the whelping bed and the room they are in and it looks really clean.  They are all in the spare room until they are a lot older, when they will all be brought downstairs.

[sallyb]

I also suggest that you trust your hunches.
When I was puppy hunting recently, I visited a breeder who had been recommended to me.
While I could not tell you precisely what put me off, we left without a puppy.
The puppies were inquisitive but somewhat timid and I didn't think that they were actively handled or 'living' with the family.

(I do appreciate that having puppies in the house is difficult)

I got a puppy from elsewhere - Bix's breeder had both mum and dad.
The dogs while having outside kennels, were also allowed the run of the downstairs under supervision.
Both parents were well groomed and lovely natured, lively dogs.
She had other dogs and all milled about in a friendly mass.
The puppies were being actively handled and were starting to be housetrained.
It just all felt right.

Bix, while being a bundle of mischief, is going to be a great dog and we're really pleased.

[Ninasmum]

Hi Lizzie,  how old are the puppies this week?    Most breeders wait until the pup's are at least 4 weeks old before prospective new owners can view them. 
Personally i would want to be happy with the environment the mum & pups live in, ask to see the health check certificate's, expect the breeder to ask tons of questions about your lifestyle & if they don't seem bothered this should raise alarm bell's.  Are there anymore dog's living there & do they look healthy, well loved, with a nice temperament etc, etc.  It goes without saying that the mum should look well cared for too.
If you do decide to have a puppy from them & if the breeder is knowledgeable they should be able to guide you to which puppy would suit your family best.    I think this is also important why its best to view a puppy when they are that little older (pref. 6+ weeks) because their personality will be that little more developed. 
Good luck 

[Monstersspaniel]

Don't buy a pup younger then four weeks of age is this is bellow the age of independence

A good breeder will answer all your questions and give you lots of good advice, a good breeder should supply you with a puppy pack which will include info on the breed your getting, when your puppy is fed a sample of what she has been feeding the pup which you should stick to for a couple of weeks while the pup settles into your home puppy tummies can be sensitive to change though I tried my pup out with a number of food types before going raw as its cheaper and healthier for pup but this all depends on what works best for you.

You should be offered insurence for four weeks if your paying top price in access of £600 (get your moneys worth!)

As mentioned all ways ask to see your puppies parents both of them

check their health history for ailments common with the breed

[JulieM]

Depending on how old the pups are it might be a good idea to visit the breeder more than once.

When we got our pup we went once when she was about 4-5 weeks to meet the breeder, ask all our questions and meet her dogs, she also gave us a full on grilling as to our situation and watched how we interacted with her adult dogs to check how suitable we were. We didn't handle the pups on that visit.

We then went again when the pups were 6 weeks old and choose our pup. As the breeder knew us a little she was able to match us with the pup she thought might be most suited to us (although we had a choice). We then visited again when she was 7 weeks (just because we wanted to say hello) and then picked her up when she was 9 weeks old.

If you can I would recommend going a few times, it just helps to take everything in and feel certain in your decision

[penguins87]

Hi lizzie

It's an exciting time looking for a puppy and often we can get carried along by the moment of seeing new life and something we want to care for and nurture , especially if are filling an empty space being your beloved cat Micka .

I know as when I lost a baby many years ago I went straight out and got a puppy , one that should ever have been bred as her skin problems were genetic and her temperament was not brilliant , I still loved her for sixteen years but in hindsight I should have walked away and thought things through as to who i was buying from and health certificates and seeing mum .

You can do some research before you visit by requesting the kennel club names of both mum and dad
 and checking the kennel club web site for all health checks done on both dogs . It's all free easily
available online and any reputable breeder will give you the information it might save you a wasted
journey or put your mind at rest re testing .

All the best with your search

[Hurtwood Dogs]

Just to add to what others have said, for me, when choosing a pup aside being happy with the bitches breeder, health tests, temperament of the dogs, general look of them and conditions they are being kept in etc etc.... I've only bought puppies from litters that have been reared in the home preferably the living area of the house or the kitchen where all the noise and general daily comings and goings are and pups that have been bought up around children (or had lots of visiting children) and busy family life because that's what my dogs have to fit into. Even if you don't have children or a chaotic household ( ) early socialisation to all of this is a real benefit to the pup and something you should try and keep exposing the pup to as much as possibly when you get it home Up until 12-14 weeks puppies don't really have any fear of anything so the more they see at this age the more of a well balanced happy adult dog you'll have

Good luck and I'm so sorry about your cat Puppies are very very hard work and will often harass/chase and bite (a lot) anything that moves - human or animal in the first few months. It's very normal puppy behaviour but takes time (and a lot of kind patience) while they are learning to inhibit their mouthing and their behaviour matures, so it might be an idea to wait until your cat has passed on before bringing a pup into your household otherwise if could be extremely stressful for her if she's very ill also

[poppy]

Thank you so much for everyones' advice.  I am taking it all in.  I have decided that Micka has had enough of needles and Insulin and that she has had a good innings (15yrs 4mths) and now is the time for her to pts.  I have checked it out and the Vet can come to my house and then take her away and return her to me with her ashes, so that I can sprinkle them all over the ground where she loved to bathe in the sunshine.

I am going to see the puppies this week after Wednesday - not to buy, just to look at, and if I am happy, then I can leave a deposit.  They were born on 17th May so they will be available to see.  They are going to be taken from the whelping box from upstairs and brought downstairs where there she will learn socialisation skills, as there will be her littermates, her mum and mum's mum, as well as the Breeder's family, children included.  The puppy will not be ready until 14th July 2011.

I will ask all the questions that you have mentioned and will try and not let my heart take over, when I first see her I might just well fall in love with her.  Both my mum and I have already spoken to the Breeder and he seems very nice and very interested in getting the right person for the right puppy.  The Breeder is Kennel Club Accredited and has registered the puppies on the 1st June.

Thank you all for the messages, you are certainly all wonderful people that are concerned about your dogs.  I never had this much help from owning a moggy!