We couldn`t make up our minds between the cocker or min schnauzer,but i think its going to be a cocker now mainly because of temperment and the fact that weve got 3 lively children.I`m still not in a rush for a puppy as i want to do a bit more research into them.Can anyone recommened a good book about them as a breed.Also can anyone tell me if its best to not have a solid colour one as i read somewhere about colour rage?.
Last question now,our youngest is 3 and starts nursery in september would it be best to wait till after then to start planning a pup.(im a stay at home mom )id be able to give all my attention,or should i do it before so the pup can get used to the noise (they are v.noisy but v.nice)
thanks Chrissy(sorry for all the questions... i`m sure there will be more)

Hi Chrissy

You've made a very wise choice, but then I would say that :D If you are worried about the rumours about solid Cockers, please have a look at a new site devoted to Cocker Rage which will hopefully dispel some of the rumours you've heard & put things in perspective for you (note to admin - not sure if you'll allow this link, it's not my site but I did design it :-) ) There is no reason why you should not get a solid Cocker if that's your preference - you just have to make sure you buy from a reputable breeder, but the same goes for whatever colour & whatever breed you go for :-)
There are many books on Cockers - a good "budget" buy is The Pet Owner's Guide to the Cocker Spaniel by Frank Kane. You could also try Cocker Spaniels Today by Joyce Caddy, slightly more expensive but a nice book or The Cocker Spaniel by Haja van Wessem. All of these are available online from Amazon books.

Jane

Hi Chrissy,

We've just bought a Cocker Spaniel, she comes home on Saturday :D and I've got young children. They are 6, 4 and 15mths. They have all had extensive contact with my parents cocker puppy and they are all very accepting of puppies.

I'll let you know in a weeks time whether we made the right decision about getting a puppy now or whether we should have waited!! At the moment I'm dreading it - chris (hubby) has just got over the flu and I've gone down with a mild case of the mumps. Not that I'm allowed to take any time out to be ill, I mean I'm only mum !!

Seriously though we're certain we've made the right decision for us. Both my husband and I grew up with dogs and my parents have always head cockers. Things are going to be very busy but we can't wait. Only 39hrs to go!!!

Fiona

Thanks Jane for the web link,its put things into prospective for me.Fiona,i`m so green with envy.I think if someone was to offer us a pup right now i`d have it,even though i know im doing the right thing waiting and finding out all i can...it feels like having a baby.My only concern with having a dog is our traveling back to see family (we had to relocate last year to northumbeland from the midlands) though ive done a fair bit of research into hotels that exept dogs.sorry for any spelling errors,its friday and im off to have a very well deserved glass of wine!!!!!!
thanks again, both for your help. Chrissy