I've grown up with poodles and they were great family dogs :) But mum was a groomer so that helped. They just get a lamb cut every once in a while.

Strongly recommend discover dogs! We went there in 2012 and narrowed down our list to 5 terriers. Then spoke to breeders and met different dogs at other events (agility/fun shows ect). And finally chose the one we have now :D (took a good year to make the decision though).

He does look about that age, I've never actually met his owners as he is always worked by a lady with a golden retriever named Bella I believe. From what I can tell they reside around this area in lutterworth.

Cocker Spaniels are extremely busy little dogs....many people think they are 'easy' but they can be very wilful, stubborn and sometimes pretend to be not very bright! They can be very much 'in your face'....

On the plus side, all they really want to do is be with you and help with whatever you're doing!

Coat care depends on the dog, some have very thick coats that are like cotton wool and tangle very easily, grooming would be required at least a couple of times a week, some have thinner more hairy type coats that need clipping every 6-8 weeks to keep them tidy and a quick brush over once a week would be enough to keep it matt free.

If you're looking for a breed that just lies and watches a Cocker wouldn't be for you.....

..... I'm talking Show Cocker, not worker, goodness knows how people manage with one of those as a pet!!!

Coat care depends on the dog, some have very thick coats that are like cotton wool and tangle very easily, grooming would be required at least a couple of times a week, some have thinner more hairy type coats that need clipping every 6-8 weeks to keep them tidy and a quick brush over once a week would be enough to keep it matt free.

Shouldn't Cocker Spaniel coats be hand stripped not clippered as clippering damages the coat & makes it woolly ??

Shouldn't Cocker Spaniel coats be hand stripped not clippered as clippering damages the coat & makes it woolly ??

Yes :-)    But it does depend on the coat too.  Some coats just aren't true cocker coats - it depends on the breeding  ;-)

If the dog has been neutered, this can mean the coat changing and becoming unmanageable.  In that case, clipping becomes the only option :-(

In a perfect world yes, but often either the owner wants it clipped or the dog hasn't got a suitable coat to strip, or the groomer doesn't do stripping but only does a pet clip. I tend to use the coat king on dogs where the owners don't want them clipped, as a sort of compromise.

Hi, just to let all of you know that we are going to see a whippet puppy tomorrow morning.  He's 13 weeks old, is house trained, fully vaccinated and apparently already been over to the fields with his Mum!  He's the last of a litter and is a lovely blue and white colour and is  called 'Fly'.

Can you tell me what it is normal to take with you when seeing a puppy - I don't even know if I have to buy a collar and lead or if they'll give me one!

Many thanks to all of you for all the help you have given me; it's very much appreciated.  I've kept being drawn back to the whippet due to its gentle nature.  If we do get Fly I'll make sure I put a picture up for you.

In the meantime, back to possible names .... if anyone has a good idea feel free to let me know!

Ali x

>Can you tell me what it is normal to take with you when seeing a puppy - I don't even know if I have to buy a collar and lead or if they'll give me one!<br />

MOST IMPORTANTLY TAKE AN IMPARTIAL FRIEND one that won't be swayed by puppy eyes and can view the breeder and their breeding/rearing practices dispassionately, so that if things are not 'right' they can ensure you don't buy.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SORT OF BREEDER is as, if not more important than the choice of puppy.

If it was one of my puppies you would receive a collar and lead, bedding, food enough for a few weeks, toys/chews.

Also importantly the paperwork, Kennel club registration certificate showing parents health scheme clearances as appropriate for the breed (breed club can advise what is expected of reputable breeders) 

Various information sheets, re care training and of course feeding.  Membership form to the national breed club.

You may gets some, none or more than this, each breeder varies.

Oh how exciting Ali, Fly sounds lovely :-)

I would take a blanket and some kitchen roll in case he drools in the car, most pups do. I would also take a small adjustable collar (you'll be surprised how tiny his neck is) and lead but he may not be used to wearing one, still it's a good safety measure.

Hopefully the breeder will give you a diet sheet and enough food for at least a week so you can either get more or change him gradually over to what you want to feed, if they don't supply this then ask what he eats and how often etc.

Can't wait to see him :-)

BTW what's wrong with keeping the name Fly, it's a great name for a whippet :-)

>Kennel club registration certificate showing parents health scheme clearances as appropriate for the breed

There are no required health tests for whippets under the ABS. They are generally healthy, long lived, fit for purpose dogs.

>BTW what;s wring with keeping the name Fly, it's a great name for a whippet :-)

Have to agree, but alternatively what about Flight, Rocket, Wizz, Cheetah,

Oooooh, I like Wizz!

I like Fly but the kids are saying no, they want to change  his name - that's assuming we get him of course! 

He is coming from a private home where someone bred some puppies from their bitch rather than from a breeder.  He's been very well socialised and brought up with lots going on by the sound of it so I'm hopeful that he will be the right one for us :o)

I walk a few poodles and on occasions when I've house sat they are awfully chilled compared to other breeds mentioned.

Didn't read the bit about the groomers.. Woops!

He is coming from a private home where someone bred some puppies from their bitch rather than from a breeder.

It all sounds good, good luck -just a little point: ANYONE breeding a litter is automatically a breeder, even if it is just a one off litter. Just like anyone having a child makes them a parent. :) So you should expect and receive the same help and care from a one time breeder as from somebody experienced -the main difference would be they may not be able to give you as much advice as they may lack experience with the breed.

>Have to agree, but alternatively what about Flight, Rocket, Wizz, Cheetah,

Wizz! Fantastic :-)

>alternatively what about Flight, Rocket, Wizz, Cheetah,

'Wizz' in American slang means 'piddle'!

Oh perhaps not then!!  Will just call him Fly for now and see how we go.

I know quite a few dogs called Wizz, who cares what Americans use the word for, and as he is male, and they like to pee a lot, and of course so do pups, quite apt ;)

I'm with Barbara, who cares what the name means elsewhere, but then I did call my latest Xylo because I thought it sounded nice, without googling to see what it means - wood! He does appear to have a wooden brain :-)

Whizzy then?

I never knew what it meant until one of the dalmatian puppies in the live-action 101 dalmatians film was called Whizzer, because he piddled everywhere!

> I never knew what it meant until one of the dalmatian puppies in the live-action 101 dalmatians film was called Whizzer, because he piddled everywhere!

We call our pups..'little whizzers' because the are speedy little things not for what the americans use the word for. :)

He is coming from a private home where someone bred some puppies from their bitch rather than from a breeder.

Sorry but really have to take exception to this comment. You will probably find that coming from a "private home" means no health test etc. or experience. Whereas puppies from a reputable breeder will have had all the necessary stuff done. In the case of your breed, health tests may not be necessary but this comments does not reflect all breeds.

> You will probably find that coming from a "private home"

Surely virtually everyone on here who has bred a litter has a 'private home' rather than 'kennels' - which is how I read it ?? I know that the term back-yard breeder can also mean a private house, but perhaps 'we' shouldn't jump to conclusions and assume that the puppy isn't healthy ?? :) :) :)

Surely virtually everyone on here who has bred a litter has a 'private home' rather than 'kennels' - which is how I read it
??

I commented on this already yesterday and the point was the OP said it was not a breeder. Yet they've bred a litter. :)

To some people, buying a puppy from a house (rather than a kennels - commercial establishment) might be seen as an 'amateur' breeder. Maybe the OP knows the difference - but Lynneb's comment made it sound that walking up to the door of a house to buy a pup might not be a good idea. I was just thinking of the impression the comment made to the inexperienced puppy buyer, as I was some years ago .......... :(

Do you really think that walking up to a house to buy a puppy is a good idea? I may have got the wrong idea from this but going to a reputable breeder is what it is all about.

> Do you really think that walking up to a house to buy a puppy is a good idea

Do you live in a house ?? :) :) When I looked for a puppy I went to private houses :)

I'm just trying to look at this thread from the eyes of someone new to the forum who may read this as it is a bad thing to buy a puppy from a house. I understand this thread, but new readers may not ...... :)

He's been checked over, is very fit and healthy and is the one all the other buyers wanted but she had kept him back for herself; unfortunately for her but luckily for me she decided 4 was too many so she reluctantly advertised him.  She's not a back yard breeder, she's just a normal person who bred some puppies from her bitch and she was genuinely sad to see him go; he is a poppet.

I don't pretend to be the most experienced person in the world but I went having done a lot of research and picking people's brains both on here and in the real world!  If it wasn't a whippet I went for I'd have only gone to someone who had done the appropriate health tests on their dogs before breeding them.  We've ended up with a lovely dog that we are all already very fond of and I'm so grateful to everyone who helped me.

No-one mentioned Private house?, but that anyone breeding a litter is a 'breeder' as in anyone having a baby is a parent, no matter where they live.

I think the majority of what we would consider reputable breeders breed from their 'private Homes' as anything else is a commercial establishment, and breeding commercially is not likely to go hand in hand with the best breeding practices, as that is costly, and unprofitable..

> No-one mentioned Private house

No - I agree - I have misquoted. What was said was 'private home' :) I quite agree about what makes a 'breeder' - but that wasn't my point :)

As no-one seems to agree with my point that both good and bad breeders sell puppies from a 'private home' - then I will assume that it's not important or correct :) :)

I was just thinking of the impression the comment made to the inexperienced puppy buyer, as I was some years ago .......... :-(

The comment made was to get inexperienced puppy buyers to go to a reputable breeder..

mumofpip....so glad you have your puppy

>He's been checked over, is very fit and healthy

Great news, I'm sure you'll have lots of fun with him.

I take my silken windhounds to several whippet racing clubs, all the whippets there are fabulous dogs :)

>She's not a back yard breeder, she's just a normal person who bred some puppies from her bitch and she was genuinely sad to see him go; he is a poppet.

I am sure he is a lovely puppy and will make a good pet. However health tests or not buying from a person who "just decided to have a litter from their bitch" is often not a good idea. They have a bitch and often don't know anything about its parentage. Even if they have a pedigree they don't know the dogs behind it and their faults and weaknesses. Then they usually pick a stud who lives locally again they know very little about the dog. The names on the pedigree mean nothing and they don't know anything of the character or health of the dogs in it. They have no purpose in breeding the litter other than just to have puppies and often to make some money.

These people know all the right things to say to make them appear to be good breeders. If one puppy is left unsold then they will claim they were going to keep him as he was the best in the litter. No doubt they will be sad momentarily when he leaves but the plan is not usually to keep a puppy so they soon get over it. With all the other puppies gone there is nothing to compare him to. The puppies will no doubt be adorable after all most puppies are. They will often make good pets, but the problems come if there is something wrong with the puppy. As they grow the temperament might not be sound or health problems might appear. The "breeder" wont be able to help as her dog knowledge will be small and she will have no idea about the breed tendencies and possible health problems found within the breed. Health tests are not the be all and end all. there are many diseases that dogs can be prone to that there are no tests for.

Because this type of breeder is just a pet owner with no real interest in the world of dogs they will not be able to help when  problems appear. they will most likely see no reason to have a puppy back if circumstances change, if a health problem arises soon after purchase they will most likely not answer the phone and certainly not help or refund.  Whilst the puppy will likely turn out just fine, if I was buying a puppy I would prefer to go to a breeder who had in depth knowledge of the breed. Who showed their knowledge by discussing pedigrees and breed tendencies. Who demonstrated their ability to breed good dogs by showing or working them. I would not buy from a nice pet owner who decided to just have a litter because it was a nice thing to do. After all my puppy will be with me for maybe up to 15 years. that is a long time to live with the wrong dog!

I am not trying to put a dampener on the purchase of what is almost certainly a very sweet puppy but I just want to point out the dangers for other people who read this thread.

Smithy I fully agree with your post. Sometimes it can work out to buy a pup from such a breeder -but don't count on any support. Sometimes it can go wrong. I once bought a pup from such a breeder -long story as to WHY, I should have known better but I was partly tricked, partly thought I didn't have to worry because I myself was experienced and the breed does not have any health problems to be tested for. But it was a NEW breed to me and that above all was my downfall. Cutting a long story short the pup was my first Papillon, he is now 9 years old, and he is the only one I have that has had a CONSTANT array of health problems. If anything happens, it happens to Bobby. He has cost me an absolute fortune in vets bills, and I am extremely lucky that he is still here. Aged 7 already several vets could not believe he was ONLY 7 as he looked SO much older and had so many problems.

His breeder, the nice old lady who had a litter from her much loved pet bitch to a local show dog, had another litter from the same bitch 6 months later!! Well the first pups sold, didn't they........... She actually phoned me and asked if I didn't want a little friend for Bobby as he had brothers and sisters.  It wasn't until about a month ago that I managed (via MyKC and some detective work) find out that Bobby's mother, who I had been told was not KC registered, is indeed KC registered. I have no doubt whatsoever that she is in fact endorsed. Goodness knows how many litters she ended up having.

While I broadly agree with your post Smithy I'm not sure this is the right place for it.

I think there are some breeds where you can buy from 'someone having a litter from their pet bitch using the dog up the road' and it won't be a disaster. I would say that whippets are one of them. I wouldn't buy a german shepherd in those circumstances but on the whole most sighthounds are healthy, easy to keep dogs. After all ex racing greys generally make wonderful pets despite very little socialisation.

A very sweeping statement chaumsong. Surely, care should be taken when buying any dog.