How to find a reputable breeder

So you have decided to buy an English Cocker Spaniel puppy. Buying any dog is not a decision to be taken lightly, and after weighing up the pros and cons and taking everything into consideration you have decided to go ahead and open your home to a Cocker Spaniel. Congratulations! Now you need to find a reputable breeder to supply you with a healthy, happy well bred puppy. Because of the Cocker Spaniels popularity there are plenty of people who will take advantage and use them as moneymaking machines. These people do not necessarily fall into the category of puppy farmers as we know it and so it is easy to be misled. When looking for a Cocker Spaniel puppy there are a few things that you should look for.

Dont be in too much of a rush. Once the decision to have a pup is made it is easy to dash out and get the first puppy available. Good Cocker Spaniel , in fact any dog, breeders do not have an endless supply so be prepared to wait for the right puppy. If you are certain that you want…say a gold girl dont just take that blue boy because it was there. Be prepared to travel too, the right puppy for you might not be just around the corner. The dog you choose may spend 14years or more as part of your family take time to get it right.

You should always be able to see puppies with their Mum and quite often the breeder will have other relatives there too, but dont necessarily expect to find Dad at home as a good breeder will choose the best possible match for Mum, not just the most convenient.

All puppies should be chunky, happy little bundles of fun with clear bright eyes and wagging tails. You should feel comfortable with the way they are being kept and feel able to ask questions of the breeder. Make sure that both Mum and Dad have been eye tested, again this shows that the breeder is being responsible.

All puppies should be Kennel Club registered…although this is not a guarantee of a good pup, it is an absolute must. Dont accept alternative registrations - these tend to be used by puppy farmers.

The breeder should be a member of at least one Cocker Spaniel Club and you would expect them to have some kind of hobby, usually showing, with their dogs. I would never recommend buying a puppy from anyone who wasnt a member of our parent club The Cocker Spaniel Club…if nothing else this indicates that the breeder has a genuine interest in the breed.

Be suspicious of anyone who has multiple breeds - the sort of people who have all the popular breeds for sale and advertise in the Free Ads papers - or people who are selling puppies too cheaply.

Expect to be asked lots of questions about your suitability to be a puppy owner. Dont be offended by this instead understand that a reputable breeder will want to be sure that their pups go to good homes. Be suspicious of anyone who is too keen to sell a puppy without seeming to care what sort of home it is going to.

Expect to be asked to sign a puppy contract to ensure the well being of the puppy. Most reputable breeders will give life long advice and will take a puppy back if necessary.

Dont be afraid to say no. If you think you have found a reputable breeder with the puppy you want but when you actually get to the premises you are unhappy about the conditions or the number of breeds on offer, dont feel you must save that poor puppy. This only encourages the puppy farmers to continue to breed more and more puppies.

Finding your puppy should be a good experience. You should feel happy and comfortable with the breeder and with the puppy.
It is the most wonderful feeling when you bring a new puppy home. Take time, care and advice and enjoy!

Please contact me if you would like any information or watch my News page on the website for my forthcoming and available English Cocker Spaniel Puppies. Thank you


© 2008 Fendrove Cockers.co.uk