When i got my cocker spaniel, the breeder said she had show potential. I was planning on breeding her, but now, 3 years on she is just less than 1 inch over the breed standard. i have been told not to breed from a dog with a fault like this, but she is healthy (shes had all tests etc) and she has a wonderful nature and other than the height problem she meets the breed standard. she is kc registered. could i still breed from her or do breeding dogs have to be perfect? and when i got her what made the breeder so sure that she had show potential that i spent an extra £200 on her?
If i do have puppies from her how will I know which to sell as pet quality and which as show/breeding quality as i dont want to make the same mistake as my breeder.

!thank you for any help you can offer me!

Have you shown her? (just curious!)

Hello first i would not sell my pups as show quality mine are sold as very nice pet pups that if at six months old they turn out to be worth showing then great both for myself and new owner, i know that my lines are good and i know what my females produce so i have a very good idea how the pups will turn out but you can get into alot of bother selling pups as show quality, pups change so much, anyway i cant see any reason why you shouldnt breed from your c.s. if you have done all the health checks and she is a good C.S you just need to find a good show dog that throws smaller dogs or is shorter than your girl look at some of his stock. Jackie

You were sold a puppy with "show potential" which simply meant that at the point of sale - it looked like she would be a promising pup. No-one can know what will happen as they grow - in this case she has grown on the large side. It does not necessarily mean you can't breed from her - just that you should do your homework very very carefully first. You could show her to see how she does. If she is outstanding in otherways could well balance out her height and allow her to be successful. You may then get stud dog owners with the right characteristics willing to breed with your girl. Cockers are a numerically popular breed so to get into reputable successful breeding is going to be hrd anyway and is best doen with good quality stock.

I would go back to your girls breeder and ask her advice. She will know how the restkof the litter turned out and if the dam has had any more puppies - what they are like. If all on the large side then it suggests a dominant element that may be hard to breed out.

hth

Pam n the boys

I've got a Spanish Water Dog who for a bitch is over an inch too tall, so now I'm on a desperate search to find a dog who throws smaller dogs!! Though by the looks of it I'll have to go to Europe as the ones here in England are quite close and I want to look elsewhere. I had a litter from her last year and they are all within the standard for bitches.

Go back to the breeder and see what they suggest, if that is her only fault I wouldn't be too worried about it, it takes two to tango, so you may, with the help of her breeder find the right man for her!!

Hi Guest, If you are even thinking of breeding from your bitch, then her breeder should be your best friend. As a novice breeder you are going to need all the breeders advice and experience you can get. If your bitch is less than an inch taller than the standard, that would not exclude her from being shown. Every dog ever born has faults, even champions. That fact keeps breeders striving to produce a better one. Ask your breeder what she/he thinks of your girl now, and if the response is favourable, ask for advice on a suitable stud dog.
You mention the bitch has 'had all tests etc' do you mean a vet check? The neccessary tests are KC/BVA tests, and they are done by specialists at a cost.
Finally if you remain on good terms with your bitches breeder they will help you to decide 'if' there is a puppy with show potential in your litter. Do you see the subtle difference between 'show quality' and 'a puppy with show potential'. There can be no guarantees, can there.
Good Luck.
Dawn R.