getting a puppy!

[welshlibranr]

It's nearly two years since we lost our little dog Oliver, said I'd never do it again, but now I feel so lost without a dog to walk and cuddle up with!........thinking of a Cocker Spaniel girl!..........What are your thoughts?..

[jd_here]

Go for a Westie!

[RATTER15]

I wouldnt have a spaniel, too hyper!! I do think they are great dogs though, just not for me.

I will stick with my Wolfies.

Have great fun with your Cocker :-)

[Carakeel]

Well yes, ratter and I have Irish Wolfhounds and probably always will have, but we also have a little Shih-Tzu. I have had a cocker in the past, but to be honest, he was way to hyper for me, so when I wanted a small breed I chose a Shih-Tzu. They are intelligent, easily trainable, great characters and not as highly strung as cockers.
Having said that, each person is suited to a different breed and I am sure you will be perfectly happy with your cocker pup! Cockers are so adorable when they are little, the sweetest, soft faces! Have a lovely time with your new baby and post some photos if you can. We would love to see her!

[Euphemia]

Westies are lovely........but yappy

[Brinjal]

Pug

[barb1314]

My friend has a show cocker spaniel bitch who is lovely and comes to stay with me quite a lot BUT she has major separation anxiety issues and barks the house down when she is alone. She has also been very destructive. I also walk 2 half working half show cocker sisters who are adorable but totally mad and hyper. Give me a laid back lab like mine any day! How exciting for you. Hard work but exciting all the same. Have fun.

[lankeela]

So glad you have decided to get a puppy. Please ensure that the breeder has done all the relevant health tests on the parents - Eye testing, DNA testing for PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and DNA testing for FN (Familial Nephropathy - a potentially fatal kidney disease). These tests are the minimum requirement for Kennel Club Assured Breeders before puppies can be registered by them.

[welshlibranr]

Lankeela, thank you for the advice, I knew I could count on you!...have made sure that all of the checks have been done, all seems fine!.....going to choose her tomorrow!........thanks again!.....welsh

[lankeela]

Thats good to hear, no-one wants the trauma of losing a young dog if it can be prevented by testing before mating. Sadly not all breeders do and still people are foolish enough to buy them often saying 'we only wanted a pet' and not prepared to pay the price for a health tested one. Hope you get the one you want. Enjoy.

[JonnyBoy12]

Can I ask why you would never buy from a breeder, postdog? What do you have against them? It is their living when all said and done.

[welshlibranr]

Thank you lankeela, you are so helpful!........sure I'll get the right one, not sure how really, but going to go with my instinct, and my daughter's too!......sure we'll get the right puppy for me and my family, she's going to be very much a family pet!.......