I have a local person who has a four year old bitch and has heard about my dog via friends. He has knocked and asked if I would stud my dog as his bitch is on heat and ready from next week. Not sure what to do. Both come from good lines but never had a cocker so this is a first for me. Are there pros and cons and what should I be looking out for. Any help and advice would be hugely appreciated

Lots of information here.

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/board/topic/55104.html

Dawn R.

Have a read of this informative link which will give you an idea of what you would need to do, and your lifelong responsibilities for the resulting puppies. Both dog and bitch would need to be fully tested for the genetic conditions that affect spaniels before you even consider it.

Thank you. I am very cautious and not sure what to do. Is 14 months to young for a male? Also, will he change as a chilled out friendly little fella!!

Thank you!! Have read it and not sure what to do but very interesting.

Eyes and hip testing are the very least that both of these dogs will need doing before being used to produce pup.

Responsible cocker breeders would test for H.D, P.R.A and familial nephropathy ( kidney disease) prior to using their animals for breeding. You won't have time to do this in a week.

There's no way of knowing whether he will change or not until it's too late.   Some dogs seem unchanged, others get the idea that all bitches are theirs and all dogs are to be challenged for them.    Some dogs become very aware of any bitches in season and become very fretful, even sloping off to find the bitch when you're least expecting it.

Some dogs decide to start marking everything as theirs - including inside the house, peeing up the sofa is a favourite.

Tell him NO, he is not doing it for the right reasons, no comparison of pedigrees, serious health problems ruled out etc., serious breeders travel hundreds of miles to find the right stud.

Don't let your dog out of your sight as he may be tempted to bring the bitch round any way when your back is turned.

Just to add have you been told they are from good lines or it it your experience and knowledge of the lines qualify this ?

Also you may know your lad but you don't even know the bitch or the owner and so can you guarantee the bitches temperament as going by somebodies word and very trusting and also a great risk. What are the reasons of the owners of the bitch for breeding ?

sounds like something to be avoided like the plague, if you want to use your dog at stud (NOT studding!) then get a mentor, do the health tests, work or show your dog and get experienced people's views... study the Book of the Bitch and get as much information on breeding and selling (and then taking back pups) plus health, working showing etc before you commit... don't just let your dog be used by some chap down the road....

I've not had a cocker boy that DOESN'T change after a bitch!! They become right dirty beggars!!lol  When our bitch went to a stud, I had the choice of 2 from the same lines but bringing different colours.  1 dog was older and 1 just turned a year old.  I choose the older as he was proven and better colour but someone else used the young one the following week and that lovely little funny puppy changed practically overnight!  Shame.

Also, if you use your dog at stud and he doesn't have the relevant health testing and a pup from the litter develops an genetic condition your dog could have been tested for, you and the bitches owned can be held liable in a court of law.  You are aware of this?
PRA is rife in spaniels.  Please don't take the chance.  Your dog doesn't need to show symptoms to be a carrier.

> Are there pros and cons and what should I be looking out for. Any help and advice would be hugely appreciated

One of the biggest drawbacks for me (and I have owned stud dogs) is the marking everywhere.  While not all males will do this, it isn't fun having them cock their legs up the sofa etc.

If your dog is a much loved pet, keep it that way is my advice.  :-)