Hi Everyone

Back again for more advice please:D

I guess my first question is the $65 million one

What was it that made you choose, whichever particular breeder, you eventually settled on?:D

So far and as a total novice, its predominantly, Looks,( Love choclate or black ones) Health, Blood line (Although Id be a liar if I said I understand them )and the general way in which care is expressed on any accredited breeders website, Geography,(Although a couple of hundred miles is fine), and a kind of "Gut" feeling about somones feelings for this lovely breed

Alll of my thus far reserach has been on the net and clealry there are many dedicated, honest, hard working people who produce amazing litters and care  for the pups and are willing to support new owners to the hilt.

I guess in many ways that is my problem there is so much choice Not  a bad thing of course!!!:D

My next question . As a prospective new owner, How would a breeder view a request to come and have a look round and ask advice etc , without any definite commitment to looking to own a new pup IF I WAS suitable.

I am very concious that breeders are ultimately running a buisness and not some kind of "Petting Zoo" or Theme park.

But I guess in many ways and with all of the best intentions i'm trying to ensure that I have everything in place for a new pup and most important that I am suitable as a dog owner.

I think this stems from owning a beautiful ESB " Ben " many years ago, my life changed dramaticly, Ben suffered Seperation issues, and I had to re home him. A very sad time for me.

Any advice comments as always very much appreciatted

Best regards

Fil  

Hi Fil

I would definately call a breeder and try and arrange a visit. You will learn so much from them and also get a feeling for what type of breeding lines etc you like.

A good breeder should welcome you, whether you intend to buy a pup from them or not. Just be 100% honest with them and don't be put off if they 'grill' you for info!!

All the best in your search

Jackie

I always reccommend people come to see me and my dogs prior to me having a litter. Then they can see the parents and decide whether or not they are of the type that they are looking for.

Once the pups have been born, then I welcome prospective owners to come and visit as much as they like from 4 weeks onwards. However, the pups are normally sold as soon as born, therefore the only people coming are normally the new owners.

However, there should be no reason why a breeder wouldn't let you come and visit.

Jackie and Ali

Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply

Thats certainly put my mind at rest Im HOPING to look to acquire a pup next year once Ive got everything in place for a new arrival.

OH's job being a mian change.

Thankyou again so much means a lot for a newbie to get such great support

Best regards

Fil 

You're welcome.

Fil,

I wonder if I might flip this one around? You have had very honest advice from people who work/breed/train. How about a word from someone who has been in your position as a new owner?

Above all, EXPECT to be grilled.  A working-bred dog especially a high-energy dog like a working-cocker is quite a commitment to take on. Anyone who would give you or sell you such a dog lightly, will not be a responsible breeder. Many breeders won't even sell you a pup if it is not to be gun-dog trained, but either way, you should expect to be able to show that you can look after and above all stimulate a highly-charged working-bred dog.

No breeder worth their salt would not want you to visit them in advance of  a proposed purchase. Many websites will carry information regarding planned litters. I'd tie the two together and start from there. If you agree to purchase, you should find a support-network either verbal or written down, is in place. That is to say a means of  obtaining advice,  basic training, even re-purchase or re-homing. if necessary.

Briefly, my own experience was this. I  answered an advert. The guy on the phone seemed extremely re-assuring and welcoming. Though his kennels were small and obviously 'working' daily (he wasn't just breeding his pets for a bit of pocket-money) they were clean and tidy. Our immediate impression was that his adult dogs were superb. Though they lived out of doors and were clearly working dogs they were very happy and friendly and as well-tempered as any pets any of us had ever come across. MOM and DAD were available to be seen and petted as were ALL the pups, sold or unsold. Mom and Dad and another adult dog were then demonstrated to us in a large field. I now know this as gun-dog training. At this point, a conversation took place. The breeder explained that he was not a commercial breeder, but that he bred for the local shooting community. In turn we explained that we were not (yet) part of a shooting community. However, we had done a good deal of research and were armed with some relevant questions that showed some consideration in looking after a new pup.

A potential deal was then struck. The breeder agreed in principle to sell us a pup as long as we agreed to keep in touch with him, return the dog at some point for him to gauge his well-being and give him the first option to re-purchase should it all go wrong. Interestingly at this point, we had not selected a pup or discussed the price. The breeder made no attempt to sell the pup on it's breeding (he's 28/29FTCH bred), only on the quality of the parent-dogs temper and work that we had witnessed. That he mumbled " the grand-dad ran three times in the Championship and I turned down three-grand for the dad" was about all that he has ever said to me on that score. At that point we left and agreed to return another time. On the return journey to the kennels, Mrs Keith asked which of the remaining pups we should select. I joked, "buy the lemon-puppy and call him Jack". Everyone laughed. Back with the pups,  which were all shown to us, with parents for a second time, Mrs Keith picked-up the lemon pup. "Are you coming home with me?" she asked it. " Well, he thinks he is now" I said " So if you put him down and disappoint him, I'll wring your neck" That's how we got Jack. Hope it helps.

Good luck when the time comes.

You can come and see us anytime you like within reason........................:)

You are welcome too Fil.

Incidentally we are hoping to have pups early next year. Any more info you may want is on our website.

Jackie

Keith

Thanks very much.

 Nice to know I'm not alone.

 To be honest a wee choclate with white bib or a black with similar,is if Im honest one of the major factors at  this stage of my criteria. But of course having seen Jack I think you have made that decison all the more difficult......................................who knows

 But as I have the greatest respect for it, female intuiton, will hopefully assist me in my choice when OH is with me. 

Brambles and Sharabear Thankyou I will definetly try to take up the invite and will keep an eye on your website

As ever you made a nervous newbie, much more comfortable and more than happy that Im making the right choice

Thankyou all again for your advice Keep it coming

Best regards

Fil 

Whenever we have bought a pup I have asked others if they have heard of such and such a breeder and asked what I consider to be pointed questions of the breeders, I toy around with this or that idea about what makes a good dog.

On viewing the pups for the first time I look at their tail carriage, are they all outgoing and playful, do they come when encouraged to do so, are they interested in a ball or my hand movements, are they all over me when I lie down...........just as I have made my final decision of which of the available pups I want to take home, I turn to the breeder and say "I would like" ....

.

" That one" says my wife............................................

 Sounds like a plan

Thankyou  And there was me thinking it was all scientific.

 Sounds like Pup or OH picks owner/ pup dog Male has no chance!!! 

I spent well over a year looking at lines and breeders before I got pup, I liked the look of the dam and met her and the breeder Jacquie (Breezybrook) here on the forum at crufts. I wasn't disappointed as Frolic is an absolute cracking bitch as is Tallie who is a Breezybrook dog from proven working lines. I visited the litter when they were 5wks old and the rest is history, I’m delighted withTallie who is bright as a button and a keen willing full on little bitch.

Hope you can take up sharabears and Bramble Monkeys offer for a visit, best of luck in finding a pup

Hi i have found the comments above very helpful as we are also looking for a new PUP. One thing I would like to ask the breeders out there is whether they would be willing to let a puppy go to a home where they will not be 'worked'.

We have had  some people saying they intend to do agility or intend to do gundog work, some do some don't.  If people are at least honest and declare that the pup is going to be a pet, I would look for new owners to at least show some prior interest in the training of their pup and have some understanding of how to train and what to do if they have a problem.

We originally bought a springer as a pet, but once we latched onto the fun that doing gundog work gave us. they soon  took over our lives. here is a typical week for us. I ask propective pet owners if they are aware this could happen.

.Today Beating,

.Sunday some dogging in on a local shoot,

.Monday Evening If I can I will do some dogging in,

.Tuesday Young Shots Demo,

.Wednesday, Helping out on a trial, puppytime training in the evening 

.Thursday Kali anti hepes vaccine, evening Dogging in.

, Friday could be a quite day dog wise, but inevitably we will some dogging in 

.Saturday Beating

Many thanks for all of your replies.

 I can assure you they are all very helpful and help enormously in assisting me in ensuring Im getting everything in place and, giving myself plenty of time to find a breeder.

Id be a liar if I said that my dog would be working.  But I have located a trainer who teaches "Working skills" without use of a gun or shot etc

I suspectthough , that  from reading previous postings, that It may well "Take over " particularly if the pup takes to it well. (Im sure Im not using the correct vocab here)

Basically I want a Pup / Dog   as a pet to walk miles with in all and any weathers (I love the outdoors) and to have a "Mate" to do that with:D Sounds daft I know , but there you are!  

I have worked around "Working Dogs" in another field, most of my life, and have always marvelled and admired the relationship between handler/ owner and dog.

My work change now allows  the possibility of having a Dog .

I still have reservations though. Not about the dog but If I'm suitable ? I think thats a quandry many of you have faced as first time owners Im guessing  ?

The most important check list if I can use that word , for me . Is that the dog will be loved, well cared for and have a safe and secure home. With all the proper training both of pup and more so owner, that goes with such a responsibility.

Please keep posting your thoughts, advice etc as they are all gratefully recieved. It means a lot to know so many of you have been in the same boat over the years.

Thanks once again

Best regards

Fil   

Fil

A good breeder will offer lifetime support FIL which I'm happy to say I have from Jacquie if it were needed. We were all at one point a first time dog owner, doing something you love doing with your dog is 'working' there are many on here that do agility, flyball etc. What I think is more important is enjoying your dog.

Thank you Annette

I think in truth thats all I want, is to enjoy my dog Everything  else is a bonus

Thanks again

Fil

I am sure you have done your home work getting as much info as possible on the breed and what to expect from a working cocker. I just wanted to reinforce what Keth already mentioned about the drive and work ethics of a working bred gun dog. A ew months ago I took on a rescue cocker who is no 18 months old. His sire is Maesydderwen Scimitar and he was most definitely bred to be trialled and/or worked but instead he went to a pet home. His owners realised very quickly that they could not cope with him and rehomed him to another pet home. But that didn't work out either and he ended up with me. This dog is a hunting machine and would happily work all day long but as a pet dog he is completely unsuitable. I would most definitely ask the breeder if he/she thinks the puppies would make good pet dogs. In my mind there is not much point in buying a pup from FTCH or FTW parents if you have no intentions of working your dog.

Absolutely Heidrun!

They are little hunting machines even at 5 mths Tallies nose is very much switched on. I would even say she her nose is better then my Weimaraner bitch she just needs to know what to do with it which formal gundog training will do. I can say once you've been bitten by the gundog bug you may well find you want to do more in the way of working test like me etc

I trial one of my springer bitches and I would have loved to have gotten my hands on Murffi the cocker when he was a pup. Unfortunately he has been ruined for trialling or working test purposes as he has got a major fault, he squeaks. Probably something he developed from frustration or too much pressure when he was with his previous owners. A huge shame because he is a seriously stylish and fast dog who hunts a beautiful pattern. But he will make a very nice shooting dog with a little bit more training.