Hello

I'm looking for a cocker spaniel puppy ready for early Jan 05. I live in Hampshire.  Does anyone know of any litters due about now, that would be ready to leave their mum in early Jan?

i am looking as well someone told me to go on www.cockersonline.co.uk/forum there you can regester and post a post on there i am looking for a friend so its good place to look
(sorry i cant do links !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
fiona

You will need to leave contact details!  Look up the local breed club in your area, they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Cockersonline is an excellent site, but your best bet will be either calling the Kennel Club for details of litters born, or like I said before look up one of the cocker spaniel breed clubs

Good luck

There are a couple of littes advertised on www.pedigreedogs.co.uk. They are due November so would be ready around January.
Archer
ps...know nothing about these litters or the breeders...just saw the ads so its up to you to do your 'homework'... :D

Think they might be too far for Paula - one's in Scotland & one's in the NE ;-) As Sharon said, it's best to contact your nearest regional Breed Club, in this case Hants & Sussex Cocker Club (Mrs Morton on 01256 862747) Be sure to make sure any breeder you contact does the recommended health-screening tests ie annual eye-testing as a minimum.

Jane

sorry but no where is too far for the RIGHT puppy!
would agree about conatacting the breed club though
Archer

I agree Archer my next BC is about as far away from here as you can get & still be in the UK

Id give the breedclub a ring they should be able to point you in the right direction :) Im sure there must be puppies close she can visit :D You can always start close to home then work your way down no point running all over the country to find out the puppys arent right and you find a fab little one on your doorstep :D I agree with jane Hip score and eye testing is a must :) if you dont like a breeder or anything move go visit another one :)

Maybe not in a numerically less popular breed but in Cockers it should certainly be possible to locate a reputable breeder without having to go to Scotland if you live in Hants!!

Jane

Numbers in the breed has nothing to do with it. I would still travel to the other end of the UK if I found the right pup in a numerically large breed....its about making the best choice and if that means a bit more inconvenience what does that matter when you are chosing a freind who will be pasr of your life for the next 10-15 years?
Archer

would it make sence to check out a closer breeder before wandering a few hundred miles up . If  I personly had to ask anyone to help me find a cocker it would be jane ;) Im sure if your having trouble finding one she will point you in the right direction :D  I know of several reputable breeders who do well in the show ring and there in england . Need any help feel free to pm me ill try to help :) You really do need to be pointed in the right direction these puppy farmers are now trying to make themselves look like normal breeders in homes . 

It's nothing to do with convenience but practicalities. Of course no-one should expect to find a well-bred puppy from a reputable breeder on their doorstep but as a breeder, I like to meet my buyers several times before letting a puppy go (some buyers even visit every week) & I would not dream of expecting a family to make several 8 hour journeys (with perhaps overnight stays) when I can recommend other good breeders closer to their home. If I get a pet puppy enquiry from someone in Scotland, I would naturally direct them to reputable breeders in Scotland not the opposite end of the country but I've obviously been getting it wrong all these years ;-) I see no point in arguing this - you have your view and I'm sticking to mine :-)

Jane

I agree breeders are now trying to make litters, bred by puppy farms, look more reliable by putting them in family homes.
I was caught out by this nearly 4 yrs ago with my Mastiff. I am quite experienced where buying pups is concerned.
Yet in my excitement I still fell for the patter.
If you are going to buy a pup go by reputation and reference, not the lovely little pups in front of you in someones front room.
Take time and great care or you could end like me with massive vet bills.
Even though I wouldn't be without my girl. No matter what it has cost me over the last few years.