My parents and I have always had golden cocker spaniels. They have all lived long and happy lives. Our last one died last week. My parents are desperate for another but have only ever known buying puppies from pet shops. Now I am an adult with pedigree dogs and member of their breed club (huskies), I am trying to ensure they go to a good breeder, but I cannot find them one. They are saying they are just going to avoid the hassle and go to a shop. They truly are dog lovers and good people, but they just miss having their dog around so much.

My parents live in NW London, and I live in North Devon. Any information would help. I have downloaded a list from the KC, but I understand even this cannot ensure a reputable breeder?

gina@loveleebay.co.uk

Hi - please stop them buying a poor pup from a shop, which will have been supplied by a puppy farmer goodness knows where. :(

If you contact the breed clubs listed at the bottom of the Breed Standard (click on the link) you'll be able to find out about reputable breeders. Good luck!

Buying from a shop is likely to bring them more hassle than they could believe in terms of poor health and temperament.  Not to mention the appalling conditions that the mother will be kept in as she churns out litter after litter before becoming surplus to requirement, no comfy fireside retirement for her, a lethal injection if she is very lucky.  As cocker lovers please encourage them to do as Jeangenie says.  They have obviously benefited from this lovely breed over the years don't let them inadvertently pay the breed back by encouraging terrible breeding practices :)