Getting a cocker spaniel from a breeder

[Salgar]

Hi,

We're trying to make a decision about buying a puppy, they're new, 3 weeks old. The breeder's other dogs all seem very well behaved, he seems to train them very well. The mother was very calm and she allowed us to handle the puppies and everything seemed fine on that front. He had KC registration for the parents and showed us the certificates which was fine.

This is all good.

However, he hasn't had any health checks done on the parents, he says working cocker spaniels don't have eye or hip problems (which, afaik, the internet disagrees with). The father was 9 years old and had no problems according to him. He also disagrees with immunisation, and said he wouldn't do it but as a breeder he is required to.

I don't really know how to feel about this part. Is it worth running away? Or is it normal for dogs of a known lineage to not have their health checks done?

I'm kind of a noob at this.

Thanks,
Paul

[Salgar]

carinatauk said:

Is he registering the puppies with the KC?

From my perspective, the parents should be hip scored and PRA tested, as a minimum. KC recommend the following:

And what health screening is relevant for the Cocker Spaniel?
Kennel Club Accredited Breeders must use, or are strongly recommended to use, the
following screening schemes and/or advice for sires and dams:

• BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme - including Gonioscopy
• DNA test prcd-PRA
• DNA test FN
• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme

This list is not necessarily comprehensive and you should still ask breeders and refer to breed
clubs about health issues in the breed.
© Kennel Club

The greatest risk with working cockers is inter-breeding, unless they have KC registration [although that is not guaranteed].

Wouldn't touch any breeder that doesn't do the first immunisation, there is a theory going around that puppy's tend to be immune from the mother until they are ten weeks or so, may be that is what is he thinking. I am not sure that I am qualified to comment but I would err on the safe side, it not nice to lose a dog to parvo.

Cockers are brilliant dogs, and less demanding the Springers, but this is only my opinion.

Always look at other litters, there are loads around. Check champdogs and the KC websites.

The parents are KC registered and he will be registering the puppies with the KC and doing the first immunisation/chipping in the next few weeks. But AFAIK I don't think he has done any of the above KC recommended tests on the parents.

[Salgar]

After a long time... we found this beauty

Puppy by Paul Robinson, on Flickr
Puppy by Paul Robinson, on Flickr