They have arrived!

[BirdbyBird]

The pups are sold with a spay/neuter agreement...they are too young. Research showed information that neutering too early effects the growth plates......if you want a strong athletic dog capable of performance, field or agility work....or just good healthly bones and structure for a couch potato, neutering a little later is recommended..... If any go into a show home then of course they will remain intact.....

Because there aren't many English Cockers available, the prospective adoptees get "vetted" pretty thoroughly....including calls to previous veterinarians, etc..... We work hard to keep them from falling into the wrong hands and having to rescue them from Craig's List......

[JoanE]

Tina, someone recently told me that neutering an older male (her dog is 8) could make him aggressive. Can you address that? I had never heard it and wonder if it is just an excuse to save the vet fee.

Re puppy neutering, yes you need to wait until they are old enough but happy to hear that this is addressed. I knew someone who aggrssively bred royal standard poodles and sold them as show and breeding quality. They weren't. He was ignorant and his buyers were ignorant but it perpetuated dogs with genetic problems and overpopulation.

[BirdbyBird]

I have never heard of neutering contributing to further aggression at any age.... and it can save a dog from Testicular cancer. I do know (and have read many reports) of owners that contribute to increased aggression at any age by their lack of knowledge and their sustained ability to reinforce the wrong behaviors... ... but as we know the dog will get blamed.

Also an older dog can change temperament due to health issues...pain can be a big contributor....

When Lyn asked about breeding Izzy I agreed to help her because I wanted a puppy and knew the quality of Izzy's lines. My agreement was based on us completing all the standard health test for the breed....hips, eyes (PRA), FN (liver), hearing.....I will admit that I passed on the evaluations of her patelas..... The stud dog besides being an AKC Grand Champion has a big loving teddy bear temperament and has all his tests......It helps to know in English Cockers that in almost all cases, the puppies are all spoken for by the time the litter arrives or before they are weaned. Some times breeders will keep multiple puppies as show prospects until they are older and then later place they pups that they decide not to keep.

[JoanE]

Thank you for increasing my knowledge, Tina.