Puppies?

[pixie374]

Hiya,
Genuine advice appreciated please. I realise there may be some negative comments too....

Quite honestly, and selfishly, I have always wanted just one litter of puppies. I understand many people will say there are already too many homeless dogs... but I also don't think those are always suitable for every home.

Now, I have a very happy, healthy rescue springer, in season. The vets won't spay her due to lockdown (have asked since last June). But honestly, I am so tempted to find a dad for her.... she has tied with my *neutered" cocker around 6/7 times the last few days. My unneutered older cavalier is clueless... and my cocker bounces him away anyway.

IF... I go for it, next time- 6/8 months.... I would really appreciate proper advice and experience first. I have always had dogs, but never a baby litter.

Does anyone have any advice please?
Thank you... xx

[Prudie]

I wonder if you'd get such a grilling if you asked if you should have a baby!!

[pixie374]

Awww, shoots :-(. Probably not, prudie lol x

[shoota]

He's alive now, I brought him back from the dead when he was born.

[pixie374]

Ah, well done :-). I might call on you to check my puppies then.

[lankeela]

If you do the right thing and get her DNA tested, eye tested and hip scored then I would be more than happy for you to contact me at the time of whelping to be available on the phone any time of day or night - which I do for anyone who is breeding - in fact I would be happy to do it even if you didn't do the health tests but would prefer you did. It is surprising how many girls whelp during the early hours and their owners are not sure at what point to call the vet if there are problems.

[lankeela]

I am admin on this facebook group which publishes details of health testing clinics all over the country and gives information on what is required. BVA/KC/ISDS Dog Health Testing

[pixie374]

That is really kind, lankeela- thank you so much. I have a few months now, where I will speak to the vets and find out everything I can and everything I need to do. Thank you x

[tamborine]

French bulldog who had to be ceasored; needing 24/7 watch for a week - done by rota with dter, SIL & me. Never again!

https://ibb.co/TvHW53M

[tamborine]

^^ 3 pups

[pixie374]

Blimey tambo. Always a risk... I hope they were all ok after. I'm prepared for sleepless nights (my sister also very willing to help) and no doubt, vets bills. Thank you x

[tamborine]

all well but anesthetic difficult for frenchy coz of flat face

[pixie374]

Ah yes x

[woofgang]

Pixie "she was given to me as a cocker, and general surveys plus strangers we meet out- all say springer. "

so you aren't sure what actual breed she is, she isn't health screened and you have found two decent stud dog owners who will let you use their dog?

[pixie374]

Woof, pretty much all stud owners don't seem to care, as long as you pay. And not everyone wants pedigrees. The only question I've been asked, from one stud owner, out of about 10, was "is she vaccinated?". Otherwise, none seem worried what you do. Not their problem, I guess.
Tbh, as a potential buyer myself- I don't think i would be (and actually wasn't) bothered, whether she was a cocker or springer- i just wanted a friendly family dog. And I think many will want the same, without wanting to breed from them.

[woofgang]

I think that's awful.

[woofgang]

be aware that there are many people out there at the moment who will want to buy a bytch as a money making proposition :(

[pixie374]

Hi, I know, woof- but this is the way we seem to be going at the moment. One extreme to the other...
20 years ago, dogs were being given away to anyone who would take them.
Now, many decent people are priced out for not being rich (which doesn't affect how you treat a dog) and they are at more and more risk of being stolen. The more checks, tests and so on, the higher the prices go.
Don't get me wrong- I totally understand your point, but a balance would be better. There's nothing at all wrong with a £50 scruffy mongrel- they are usually healthier than the intensively bred breeds.
Care and caution, yes- but we don't (well, I don't) also want to end up in a situation in 20 years, where all dogs are a luxury status symbol, that people only want for showing or breeding.

[ladybirder]

OK Pix I'll give you a negative comment you expected. Always happy to oblige! Since lockdown thousands of people who couldn't have a dog before because they were at work all day have now adopted one. When they have to return to work I fear the Rescues which are pretty empty at the moment, will be flooded with these poor dogs and you might not find it that easy to home your puppies although of course puppies are always popular. Ok it's just a bit negative:-)
I hope we never return to tens of thousands of unwanted dogs being PTS every year which has been the case for a long time in this country.

[woofgang]

Pixie "Care and caution, yes- but we don't (well, I don't) also want to end up in a situation in 20 years, where all dogs are a luxury status symbol, that people only want for showing or breeding."

I really don't see that happening, its not realistic at all...do you think you are maybe trying to justify yourself a bit? I think LB has made some excellent points. if you look around on preloved and gumtree, there are pups for sale for thousands who are on their third or fourth home because they were bought by people who had no idea what they were getting in to. Rescues are already seeing the beginning of the pup donation tsunami and as the economy opens up, its going to get worse. I am, really really not a hardline "adopt not shop" exponent but I honestly think that your timing is not great. If you were talking about breeding her this time next year, then although I would still be saying I am shocked that decent stud dog owners don't care about the breeding or health of your dog (and it makes me wonder if they really are decent stud dog owners) and advocating all the appropriate health and inherited illness screenings, I would be a bit more positive about the idea.

[pixie374]

Thanks lb :-). That is something that concerns me as well. This female literally is a "lockdown" dog- so I don't want to add to that. However, we are looking at about 6/8 months time, and things may be clearer then.
We don't want overwhelming numbers, but also, not exclusive, in my own view.
Thank you :-)