I have been looking for a Cocker Spaniel Pup for about 4 months now. I have been to about 3 breeders and I wasn't happy, so as hard as it was with pups looking sad at me, I walked away.

One chap I went to, the mother or father couldn't be seen, he also had a lot of breeds there, again no parents of these pups. He didn't even know how old they were!!

Anyway I am going to see some pups tonight, they are on the list with the Cocker Spaniel club. I am hoping that they will be just fine??

Anyway, the prices of the pups varey, and I so want to get this right. I take it the more you pay for a pup, the better bred they are?? How much would you pay for a good pup?

Many thanks

You were right to reject a litter where the mother was not available to see and ideally still in company with them but do not expect to see the father most good breeders will travel far and wide to find the best match and only in rare circumstances will the most suitable male be found in the same home.  More than a couple of breeds being bred is a bit of a downer too.
It bodes well that the next litter have been located via the Breed Club and therefore should have been bred and reared to their Code of Ethics.  Check both parents have had a "pass" in the last year for a KC/BVA eye test this should appear on the puppies registration documents if they are available yet but if not ask to see the parents certificates.  The pups may be spending time outside now but there should also be evidence that they are each spending a part of the day within the home and off course the conditions should like tidy and hygienic.
The prices vary across the country, it is a few years since I bred a litter but speaking to others it would appear you could expect to pay £350-£500 roughly in accending order the further south you look :) A variation between "better bred" ones should not be apparent as all the puppies bred by Club members should be well bred puppies highly suitable for family pets and although some will show more show potential than others, potential is all it is and probably would not concern the pet purchaser.

You could always ring the breed club and ask what the average price for a pup is.  It doesn't always go that the more expensive, the better bred it is.

Good luck with the pups you are seeing tonight. 

I do hope you find the perfect pup and breeder tonight, but if you dont, remember that you can find a breeder you like even if they only have a litter planned and go on their list. Good breeders will let you visit even if they dont have pups yet.

I encourage people interested in a puppy tio visit before there are any pups as this way they are not distracted by the thought of the cute bundles but  can concentrate of the adults of various ages to give them an idea what they willb e living with for the next 13 plus years.

I also like to take them out to the country park for a walk to see if the level of independence/obedience is that which they imgaine and can deal with.  They can also see what they are like with other people and sdogs.