worried and about to buy a puppy HELP!!!

[jan67]

I went to see some cocker pups the other day, only 3 weeks old.  Breeder lovely.  Daddy was a big softy, really gorgeous but Mummy growled at us most of the time we there.  Breeder says she was very timid and used to cower in a corner watching what going on, but when she turned one got more confidence and has been fab mum to pups.  Does any one have an opinion about whether these pups are potentially going to have problems.  Everything else about breeder was great, all other dogs beautifully behaved.  Puppies in kitchen, breeder really lovely and cares so much about pups. HELP, DON'T WANT TO MAKE BIG MISTAKE? SHOULD WE LOOK ELSEWHERE?

[Jane S]

Sorry but I would not buy a puppy from this litter. If Mum growled at you the whole time you were there, then she is still timid and really is not ideal breeding material. There is a good chance some of her puppies will have similar temperaments to her and you won't necessarily be able to tell this until they are much older. Probably not what you wanted to hear but best to walk away now than to end up with a nervous puppy.

[emilyjw]

I would agree with Jane. When we picked Bracken her mum had a beautiful temprement and seemed to proudly present her puppies to us. Bracken has the same lovely temprement.

Our other dog Jasmine Lab x (who wasn't bught from such good breeders) is quite a timid dog and we have had to work a lot harder with her socialisation.

I wouldn't risk it and would try to find some different puppies, also make sure they do the health checks etc.

[Cayley]

I'd wouldn't buy a pup from this litter either. Others have said about the timidity being a bad sign so here are others to look for. I'd be asking questions such as why did they use their own stud dog on the bitch, was it for convenience or because they are a suitable match and both parents have up to date clear KC/BVA eye certificates and at least one parent is Optigen PRA and FN tested clear (ask to see the certificates).
Is the mum only a year old, if so that is far to early for any dog to be having puppies.
What type are they, has the breeder told you if they are working type or show type if not ask them and they should be able to give you a clear answer  . 

[jan67]

Thankyou so much for your replies.
Foolishly I took the children with me so they are really excited.  It was only when I got home and thought about what the breeder had said that I felt concerned.  I felt such confidence in the breeder over the phone, she will take back any puppy that does not work out, she will take them back for holidays, she provides insurance etc...I'm just surprised she chose to breed from this dog.  She was reccomendedto me by a cocker rescue lady.  But I think you are right.  I had a dog growing up but that was years ago so we are essentially dog novices.   They are only three weeks old so maybe Mum will chill?

Thanks again
Jan

[jan67]

When I think about it she growled for the first ten minutes then just looked us suspisciously.  We went to leave and I nipped back in to give breeder phone number and Mum started to growl again.  I told the breeder that I want one.  Feel awful now...

[Jan/Billy]

I told the breeder that I want one.  Feel awful now...

The biggest mistake you can make is to take a puppy out of guilt. This pup will be with you for the next 10-12 years perhaps, it's essential you are happy with everything. I'd take Jane's advice & definately walk away.  Please don't let guilt prevent you from saying no 

[Cazzie]

I agree with lots here, but will say that one of my friends labs would have taken the hand off any men that went near her pups, she is an over protective mother, I know all her pups that are now grown up and none have aggression issues. I would just be careful though and you do not have to take one even thought you have said you would. Do you know of anyone who is experienced in dogs (ie your vet/local rescue centre or a friend or aquantance)  to give you some hands on help. I wouldnt like to see you with a pup that turns out to be not what you were expecting. 

What experience of dogs do you have your self, just as a matter of interest? 

[Joelf]

I really would walk away from this breeder, no matter how lovely or fond of the dogs she seems. I personally think that the temperament of the mother & father are very important, especially the mother, as all of our dogs seem to have taken after their mother in that respect. We bought a gorgeous lab puppy from a back-yard breeder when we were inexperienced & knew no better; we were lucky in that his temperament was fabulous but he had all manner of health problems & cost us an absolute fortune in vet bills during the first year of his life (although he subsequently lived to a ripe old age in the end!!)

I know it's very difficult but remember you are hopefully getting a companion for the next 15 or so years so a little forethought now could save you an awful lot of heartache later & unfortunately there are a few really heart-breaking threads on COL showing the folly of letting your heart rule your head.

Good luck with finding your perfect puppy; I'm sure there's one out there waiting for the super home you can give it!

[Tasha]

I wouldn't want to buy a puppy from a litter where the mum growled at me pups remember an awful lot of information and the last thing you want is it growling at you later on.

[jan67]

Hi Cassie
We had a dog for 5 years when I was in my teens, he died of cancer.  He was a stray and rather naughty but we adored him.  My sister has a 2 1/2 yr old parsons russell terrier who we see quite often.  Otherwise we are dog novices.
I think what is making it difficult to decide is that the breeder is lovely and devoted to her dogs.  All her other dogs that we met lived in the house too and were beautifully behaved.  It makes it a bit puzzling as to why she chose this dog to mate.  I think she thought it would help her further with gaining confidence.

Thankyou again everyone, for your input.  It means so much as we are inexperienced at this and so want to make the right choice!!!!!

[suzysu]

However difficult it may seem and I do understand ..I had to do it once, please contact her and tell her you have changed your mind as others have said its for the best    ... good luck I'm sure you will have your lovely new pup with a good temperament very soon x

[Brimbeck(Dyllan)]

It is very difficult to walk away.
 I had to walk away from a pup we had seen because the breeder was unsuitable. I now have two lovely dogs from lovely breeders.

Puppies can be diffcult and you may always have mum's behaviour in the back of your mind when problems occur. I would look elswhere and let them know that this one is not for you.
Sarah

[pinkcarys]

I'm even less experienced in the doggy world than you so feel free to ignore my input     I asked for a dog constantly but never got one, then a month after I moved out and went to uni, guess what my parents did? Bought a lovely little doggy! 

Anyway, all I was going to say was that the breeder that we found first of all seemed to tick the right boxes and seemed lovely on the phone.  Full of "I still get Christmas cards from people who've had puppies from me" and "Of course they're brought up in the house and have lots of cuddles" and I was happily going along with it.  But I was a little uncomfortable and pushing a few things to the back of my mind.  She hadn't had her dogs optigen tested because she'd never had a problem with it in the past, and she sent us a photo at 2 weeks, and it was just one, very blurry photo that didn't really show anything.  I just pushed some things to the back of my mind but fdound that thinking about the puppy gave me a litttle knot in my tummy.  Eventually it became obvious she was a commercial breeder  (Thank to COLers) and although devastated, we walked away. We have now found an amazing breeder who we are 100% happy with and its a whole different experience.  Ihaven't got a knot in my tummy when I think about the pups and I'm not pushing anything to the back of my mind.  So although heartbreaking, and it must be worse for you with kids, we definately did the right thing.  I would be sat here now wondering if everything will go ok, but I'm sat here wondering how I'm going to pass the next week without driving eevryone mad! 

I feel very unqualified to give advice, but just wanted to say that if you feel it is wrong then you are probly right.  Walk away and find a new puppy and it will be like a weight has been lifted! Good luck.

[spanielcrazy]

I would not buy a puppy from a mother who has temperment problems. The remark the breeder made about her cowering in the corner for a year is extremely disturbing. While the temperment of both parents is very important as these things are inherited, I feel that the mothers temperment is even more important, as the puppies spend so much time with her and absorb all of their early lessons from her.

Breeders can be perfectly wonderful people and love and take excellent care of their dogs, but can still be ignorant of good breeding practices. Anyone can produce a litter of pups, but not everyone can produce good dogs.

You are under no obligations, even tho you said you wanted a pup. If need be, or you feel bad, you can make up a story: your circumstances have changed (actually true enough, your circumstances are that you don't want one of these puppies  )