Choosing A Breeder-page 1

Choosing a Breeder
Written by Diane Davis

The Breeder
Breeding involves a tremendous commitment on the part of the conscientious breeder to the dogs involved, the puppies produced and the breed as a whole. Most responsible breeders will have only a couple of litters a year, as they know that raising a litter properly takes a lot of time and energy. They will not breed a female with each heat or season because they know it will impair her health and stamina and the health of the resulting litter. They will have only one or possibly two breeds as a breeder knows that it is a challenge to make wise breeding decisions in even one breed.
A breeder spends many hours studying the standard for the breed, health issues and pedigrees. Very often a litter is planned years in advance with the breeder considering things such as:

How their dogs compare to the accepted standard for the breed.
Evaluating prospective mates for conformation to the standard.
Studying pedigrees to evaluate if the mating may produce a beneficial change in the offspring.
Reviewing health information and certifications on the lineage of the dogs to be bred come from to try and prevent inheritable diseases in the offspring.
Evaluating pups produced by a prospective mate, especially those from similar lines, for conformation to the standard, health and temperament.
Breeding should be goal directed. The goal being the overall betterment of the breed, both in conformation to the approved standard for the breed and health. The goal is not to make money or supplement an income.
A breeder's commitment to the dogs they produce extends for the lifetime of that dog not just until it is transferred to a new owner. Prospective owners should expect responsible breeders to ask questions. This is to insure a proper "fit" into a new home. Likewise, the prospective owner should expect and receive information about the breed, pedigree, health, training, grooming, etc. from the breeder.
With all this said, let's look at what you can expect from a responsible Cocker Spaniel breeder and what kind of information a responsible breeder will expect from you.