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Choosing A Puppy Doesn't Have To Be Difficult!
Our practical tips and advice will give you all you need to feel confident about choosing a puppy
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Choosing A Puppy
Are you looking for Cocker Spaniel puppies? Although our site is dedicated to Cocker Spaniels, it doesn't matter what breed of puppy you're searching for, the advice is still more or less the same.
The best time for choosing a puppy is when it's between 6 - 8 weeks old.
By this time its character and temperament are beginning to show, its markings will have started to come through, and the Cocker Spaniel puppy should be running around and exploring its environment.
Before choosing a puppy, you will have already decided whether you want a dog or a bitch, and perhaps its colouring.
Either way, you'll be looking for a healthy, confident, happy little Cocker Spaniel puppy.
Buying puppies can be an exciting and emotional experience, but don't let the excitement of the moment mean that you forget to ask questions about the puppies.
Before choosing a puppy, look at the puppies' living environment, and check the following:
Is the puppies' sleeping area large enough?
Is it tidy and clean?
Does it smell offensive?
Is there plenty of bedding for each puppy, and is it clean?
Are there bowls of clean water available?
Also, when choosing a puppy, it's important to look at the mother.
Does she appear healthy?
Is her coat in good condition?
Is she confident and friendly?
She may be protective toward her puppies but she shouldn't be aggressive, equally, she shouldn't be timid and shy away from you.
If the mother has only recently given birth, you may need to make allowances, for example, her coat may not look its best right now, especially if she has many demanding Cocker Spaniel puppies to feed.
Before choosing a puppy, watch them while they play, and ask yourself the following questions:
Do they appear healthy?
Do they look well-fed, plump, not skinny?
Are their coats shiny?
Do they seem seem happy?
Are the puppies curious, lively and energetic?
Do they appear confident with their littermates and with human contact?
Check their eyes for discharge, they should be clear and shining but not runny.
Also check the puppies' ears - are they clear, do they smell? If they smell bad, it may be a sign of infection.
Check the tummy button for lumps; you need to be sure that your Cocker Spaniel puppy doesn't have an umbilical hernia.
Ask the breeder to show you the puppy's teeth to ensure it has the correct bite; the upper teeth should close over the bottom teeth. The gums should be a healthy looking pink. If the gums are pale, it could be the sign of a poor diet.
If you're not happy with what you see, or you're in any doubt, don't take the process any further. Be polite, make your excuses, and leave.
At 6-8 weeks, Cocker Spaniel puppies should now begin to look the way they'll look when they are an adult, ie. a miniature version of an adult Cocker Spaniel.
If you're looking for a show Cocker Spaniel puppy, speak to your breeder.
She may want first pick of the litter, but she will help you to choose the second best for showing.
When choosing a puppy, however, there are no guarantees, as your Cocker Spaniel puppy may continue to change as it grows older, and may not be suitable to show. On the positive side, your 'second choice' puppy may turn out to be a showstopper!
With the breeder's permission, pick up and handle the Cocker Spaniel puppies. If you're unsure how to pick up a puppy, ask your breeder to show you. Let the puppy get used to your smell before you pick it up and stroke it, or play with it.
The puppies should be friendly and be comfortable about being picked up, cuddled, and stroked. If they don't seem comfortable, it may be a sign that they haven't been socialised correctly. Puppies that have been properly socialised will grow up to be well adjusted and happy dogs. Puppies who've not been properly socialised may be timid and may develop behavioural problems.
Before choosing a puppy, watch them closely to see how they interact and socialise with each other.
Observe how they react to sudden or unusual noises, or loud bangs. Do they over-react, or is their reaction mild?
When you arrived, did the puppies happily come over to you, or did they shy away?
A mild reaction to sudden noises and disturbances, and a general curiosity towards strangers is what you're looking for when choosing a puppy.
If you reserve a puppy before it's born the breeder may allow you to visit and view the litter when the puppies are about one or two weeks old; any earlier and there's too much risk of infection.
Subsequently, you may be allowed to visit once a week, giving you the opportunity to get to know the breeder better, and helping you to be more prepared for the day you bringing home a new puppy.
The breeder should be familiar with the temperament of each of the puppies, and will be able to identify the more boisterous of the litter, the quiet one, or the truly mischievious puppy. Unless you're an experienced dog owner, don't choose the most active puppy in the litter, this will usually be the most dominant and you may find it difficult to manage.
Equally, don't choose the weakest (runt) of the litter as it may have behavioural or health problems later in life.
Instead, when choosing a puppy, go for a plump-looking puppy with a (not too) lively but slightly mischievious personality.
If you have any doubts about choosing a puppy, ask your breeder for advice; they should be able to guide you.
Ask the breeder what socialisation the puppies have been given to date, to help produce socialization process when you get your puppy home.
A caring breeder will want to make sure that each puppy is going to a good home and that you will make a responsible owner.
Whilst you may feel like you're being 'grilled' by the breeder, you shouldn't be offended by any of the questions they may ask - they only want what's best for their puppies.
We hope this page on 'choosing a puppy' has given you enough information to help you to to make the right choice.
