We are looking to get a cocker spaniel puppy bitch around about the end of April/beginning of May.  what we are unsure about is how the whole process works.  If we find a breeder who is due to have pups around that time do we put our name down based on the hope that one will turn out the right colour and feel right for us?.  Can we put our name down with a couple of breeders? If we get a choice at what age would this normally take place?.

If it were my breed (though all pups are same colour) then it would be considered poor form to book with more than one breeder, as if the breeder you book with has not got enough pups of the sex you booked then they would normally pass you on to another breeder who did, or was expecting their litter after.

As for choice that would depend where in the queue you were.  For example you might be third pick dog or Second pick bitch.

Assuming I had 3 bookings of dog and 3 for bitches, then you would know you would be fourth in line and obviously your choice and chances of a pup are less. 

You would then decide if you want to be higher up someone elses list for another litter.  If I had more pups of one sex than I had bookings chances are that someone else might not have enough, or of course I would have to wait for more sutiable homes.  I prefer not to take more than 3 bookings for each sex before pups are born, as I don't like dissapointing folk..

I agree with Brainless - it's very much frowned upon for puppy buyers to book a pup from different breeders   Most reputable breeders can and do pass on genuine enquiries to equally reputable sources if the litter first enquired about has insufficient number or split of sexes etc to accommodate all those enquiring.

Also, much would depend on whether or not you and/or others booking a puppy were looking for the puppy as a show / work prospect.  For eg a breeder could have five bookings for potential competitive homes, but a reputable breeder may assess their litter and decide that only say 3 of them showed enough promise to sell on as such  prospects in which case instead of possibly being 6th on that breeder's list, a good pet home would be moved "higher up" in the choice stakes

In any event, my pups were picked by me for their new owners as not only does physical appearance play a part in the decision making process but it is vitally important that pups' characters are suitably matched to their potential new families

HTH, regards Teri