I was wondering if anyone could recommend a breeder of cocker spaniels who lives in Scotland. I have discovered a few breeders websites. Lynwater beside Edinburgh was one. She appears to only breed from her now well developed stock. She shows quite a lot also, very successfull apparently. When I asked her about PRA, FN and hip ratings I was told that she does not do this as she is breeding from dogs from her own lines built up over years and years. Naturally picking a puppy from any breeder is an important decision but I was wondering if if what she told me was o.k. or whether I should pursue it further. I have also found speaking to another breeder that they too don't test for PRA because the pup would be from parents and grandparents who have been tested clear. Is this o.k. I am a bit confused and obviously want to make the right decision when choosing a pup.
Thanks.

Welcome to the forum Funky Leigh

Thanks, this seems to be a very good site. The forum is full of very helpful information. Just what you need when your planning on becoming a new puppy owner.

Thats because it is a very good site lol

There are some very helpful and knowledgeable Cocker breeders here too. I am sure that Jane or one of the others will give you some good advice as soon as they see your posting

Leigh

Hi

I think it best if I don't comment on individual breeders (though I do have a bitch of Lynwater breeding myself, primarily because I love the temperament that is produced by this kennel).

As far as FN is concerned, there is no specific test that will identify carriers for this recessive disease before they are used for breeding - a puppy can be tested to see if it has the disease but that's about it. As an affected pup will not reach breeding age, its the unaffected carrier parents which produce the disease. Thankfully, FN is now relatively rare & most breeders now just take care to avoid the lines that have produced cases in the past.

PRA is a different matter - the Cocker Spaniel Club recommends all breeders should eye-test their stock annually since this is a late-onset disease & dogs that have tested clear when young may develop the disease at a later date. Like FN, PRA is a recessive disease which means parents that are unaffected themselves can produce the disease in their progeny. The fact that parents & grandparents have tested clear in the past does not mean that the breeder can relax & not bother testing anymore - the gene that produces PRA can pass along the generations for years & not cause a problem until the time comes that a dog carrying the PRA gene is mated to a bitch also carrying the gene. At the moment there is no test available to identify these carrier animals & all a responsible breeder can do is to test their dogs regularly to make sure they don't actually have the disease. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, some well-known breeders choose not to eye-test (along with all the commercial breeders). I leave it up to you to decide whether you think they are doing the responsible thing or not

Hip-scoring is a little bit different in that Hip Dysplasia has not been that well-researched in Cockers in the UK, though the evidence seems to suggest that the worst hip-scores are seen in solid-coloured Cockers (this is confirmed by the evidence from other countries where hip-scoring is compulsory). Many of the well-known solid breeders do now hip-score their dogs, though some do not. Very few particolour breeders hip-score as there is not perceived to be a hip problem in particolours.

Hope this helps!

Regards

Jane

Thanks Jane, that been very helpful and help clarify a few things that were bothering me.

Sorry for taking so long in replying. I am interested that you have a puppy with lynwater lines. Do these dogs have good temperaments? Would you put much importance in the fact that Mrs. McLean does not test for PRA, FN etc. I would hate to get a pup which turns out to have one of, or another genetic/health problem. Do all cockers have nice natures, or do some of the self colours get a bit snappy?. Are there any other breeders in Scotland which you or anyone else hold in high regard?

Hi Funky

We have had a couple of Lynwater particolours over the years & both have had delightful friendly temperaments with people & other dogs. As temperament is so vitally important, I have to say I would put this at the top of my priorities! I'm not sure that it's a good idea to discuss individual breeders on a public board, but please feel free to email me privately (just click on my name) & I'll be happy to go into this a bit further

Regards

Jane

Hi Funky and Jane:-)

Being a Cocker person myself - I agree, while health checks are important, in my mind the reputation and quality of the breeder go a long way to telling you if their pups are likely to suffer any problems, but it will certainly tell you a significant amount about the likely temperament of their pup's. Just because someone can tell you their dogs have been health screened - it does not tell you about their temperament.

The best way to judge is to find out as much about a particular breeder as you can. Go and see their dogs and get a real feel yourself for the temperament. Talk to others experienced in the field. Breed club secretaries will tell you who to avoid and give you a good starting point. People like Jane who has already responded are experienced in the field and can give you good advice about who they can recommend.

When chosing my two boys over the past twelve/18 months, I spoke to a whole load of people and gradually built a picture of who I should be looking to go to for my first pup. Then when I had made lots more contacts through a couple of internet boards, I got to know people and became friendly with the breeder of my second boy. I must say the second boy was better chosen by me as I had the chance to go and see his mum and sister by a previous mating. This convinced me to go for a pup from the same parentage.

As for related problems wioth solid colours - don't want to start a discussion here but - there were some cases a while ago now of red/golden cockers displaying what became known as "rage" syndrome. This is almost unheard of now, I understand, but you can get dodgy temperament in all the colours if the breeding is not done with careful thought to the lines etc.

I know of a "farm" not too far from me and local doggy ppl say they can spot one of those Cockers a mile off. Some groomers won't even touch dogs from that kennel!!!

good luck hope you find what you are looking for.

hth
Pam n the boys

Hi Jane

i've just recently registered with this site and am wading through the minefield of choices in finding the right breeder. I'm looking for a golden or red cocker boy pup as a family pet and was really interested in your reply about temperament. Would be really grateful if you could contact me via e-mail and help me in any way in making the right choice with breeders. I'm based in London but prepared to travel nationally to ensure that i get a healthy little puppy!
e-mail is christian.wallis@bmg.co.uk tel.07887 542637 or 0207 381 5063.

tks in advance

christian

in fact following my last posting if anyone can help pls reply to me - details above

thanks

christian

Christian, might be worth contacting:

London Cocker Society on 01206 303374.

or,

Red and Golden Cocker Spaniel Club on 01268 554619.

I think I remember Jane saying something about the clubs not keeping puppy lists, but the secretaries might know of a litter.

Leigh

Hi Leigh

The Red & Golden Cocker Club doesn't exist anymore - it's been amalgamated with the Black Cocker Club to form the Solid Colours Cocker Spaniel Association (bit of a mouthful!). The contact number is the same though.

Regards

Jane

Thanx for the update Jane. Leigh