Are you ready for a puppy?
Owning a cocker is a very rewarding experience.Cockers are ideal family pets as they thrive on human company. They are a medium sized dog so fit in with most peoples circumstances and they are not known as the merry Cocker for nothing! They are a joy to be around.
Taking on a new puppy is a very big decision and it is important that you know all that it involves before you decide whether your life can adapt to fit a pet in.
Initial Expense - If the initial expense of purchasing a puppy is difficult for you then you need to ask yourself how will you cope with routine vets bills(vaccination,worming,flea treatment etc) accident or illness of your pet, kennel fees, grooming salon fees,feeding costs etc.
How long would your pet be left alone? - Cockers are very social dogs and dont like being left alone for long periods. It is when dogs are left like this that they get bored and this may result in your dog getting destructive and developing behaviour problems. If you work long hours then a cocker is not for you.
Are you prepared to clear your diary for at least 2 weeks? - A new puppy needs time to settle in to its new home.You will need to toilet train it and it will initially need to be fed 4 times a day. You will not believe the amount of people who dont realise that a puppy needs 4 feeds a day so someone needs to be available for that.After the initial settling in period someone will still have to be able to pop in to toilet the puppy and to feed it. Pups also need mental stimulation etc so we prefer to sell our pups to families where someone is home for most of the day as its not fair for a puppy to be left and new owners can get very upset when they return from work to a soiled house and damaged belongings.
Are you prepared to exercise your dog.When your cocker is grown he will need around an hours walk a day.
Is everyone in the household in agreement on having a new puppy?
Does anyone in the household suffer from pet allergies?
Have you very young children or a baby on the way? - coping with a young family is hard enough without the extra demands of a new pet.
Is your garden safe and secure?
When buying a puppy remember to:
#Buy from a reputable breeder - Do your homework!
# Make sure the breeder properly health checks the breeding stock for hereditary health problems.
# Make sure you view the whole litter and parents (sometimes Dad may not be available to view if the breeder has used an outside stud).
# Satisfy yourself that the litter has been raised in a clean and caring environment.
# Satisfy yourself that the breeder cares for their dogs and puppies to a extremely high standard (regardless of cost and time involved) and will care greatly about the health, welfare, temperament and socialisation of their puppies.
# Make sure that the breeder offers a full after sales service where they will be available 24/7 to answer any questions or worries that you may have. Never under estimate the value of an experienced breeder.
# Do not be offended when a breeder asks you as many questions as you ask them, instead be happy that the breeder wants the best and permanent homes for their puppies as they will want their puppies to continue to get the love, care and attention that has been lavished on them by themselves. A good breeder will want to know about your home, family, work commitments etc.
# Write a list of the questions that you would like the breeder to answer for you, that way nothing is forgotten. A good breeder welcomes as many questions as needed.
And finally, no one likes to think that their circumstances will change and they will no longer be able to care for their pet but things like divorce, illness, housing problems etc can happen to any one of us and a reputable breeder will always take back a dog (regardless of how old it is).
The support of a good breeder cannot be under estimated!
If you decide a cocker is for you then you can rest assured that you have our full back up.
Phone; 01495 711041
