Information about buying a puppy from Macdolly Cocker Spaniels
CURRENT LITTERS
We have babies on the ground now, born 11 Aprill - a parti-colour litter looking for forever homes.
PARTI COLOUR (ROAN) PUPPIES born 11 APRIL 2008
Sire: WATERVAAL HANG ON A MO (Black and White dog owned by Gwen Hansen)
Dam: MACDOLLY DANGEROUS CURVES (Orange Roan)
Click HERE to see the details of the litter and pics of the Sire and Dam. 3 orange roan boys 3 orange roan girls and 1 blue roan girl and 2 black and white girls
We have more babies (another parti colour litter) due in early June and they will ready for new homes in late July/early August.
We plan to have a solid colour litter before the end of the year from Ch Macdolly All or Nothing and also (fingers crossed) from Ch Macdolly Obsession.
LITTERS PLANNED FOR 2008
Here at Macdolly we only breed when we are looking to continue a bloodline, or to fulfill a specific order from another exhbitor/breeder. We do have waiting lists, and are happy to take your details and contact you when our next litter is due. Our pups are priced from $800 to $950 depending upon the litter. However, if you are looking for a puppy imminently, we can usually refer you to other breeders who may have a puppy that is suitable for you.
Litter due early June
Sire: Grand Champion Cobalt Dragonhart (blue roan)
Dam: Acijay I Am Hot Trouble (blue roan)
Expecting blue roan, orange roan and black and white puppies - taking orders for this litter now
GRAND CHAMPION Jyndel As Good As It Gets - is off to Denmark to Kennel Sheerclever. She will hopefully have her first litter for Sheerclever near the end of 2008, after making her presence felt in the showrings. We hope to have a few puppies from Dimity make their way back to Australia in the coming years and we wish her well in Europe.
STUD DOG ENQUIRIES - looking to enquire about stud services
Our boys are available at Stud to approved bitches. Most of our boys are proven specimens of the breed, having gained their Championship Titles. Our boys are usually hipscored and prcd-PRA tested. Our boys stand at stud at $300.00 AUD - all enquiries are welcomed. A return service is granted if no puppies, or less than two puppies are born in a litter.
HEALTH ISSUES - No Guarantees given nor implied with any puppy from Macdolly
The Cocker Spaniel is generally a healthy, sturdy, purebred dog. However, like so many others, this breed does have some known health problems. We have listed below, the generally accepted, conditions that can affect this breed. Other problems such as overshot or undershot jaw, deafness, blue eyes, various eye problems such as PPM, entropian, ectroprian, cataracts, enlarged hearts etc also occur in the breed.
As a breeder we cannot guarantee your puppy against any conditions. Unless your chosen breeder has hip x-rays and eye certifications for many generations of ALL dogs in the pedigree, and knows the testing results of others from the same litter, they could not begin to guarantee you anything but a happy, healthy puppy full of promise and joy at eight weeks of age. Many things can and do go wrong, as a puppy grows up, but many problems are unseen unless specifically tested for (dogs with HD can run for miles, jump fences and lie like a frog - unless you actually X-ray a dog, you cannot diagnose HD).
PRA - PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY
PRA is a descriptive term applied to retinal diseases that affect all breeds of dogs. The same clinical signs are present in all PRA affected animals. Affected animals will show night blindness and a progressive loss of day vision. Many PRA affected English Cockers can be diagnosed between three and five years of age. It is during this age period subtle retinal changes can be noted by the experienced ophthalmologist. Even though the same clinical signs will be present in all PRA affected animals, the age of onset of disease differs from breed to breed. The onset period is divided into three approximate age groups: early, middle, and late. The English Cocker falls into the late-onset group (4-7 years old). This late-onset form of the disease is now called Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRCD). PRCD is inherited RECESSIVELY
HD - HIP DYSPLASIA
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is the most common, heritable orthopedic problem in dogs. It is usually characterized by hip joint instability (laxity) and secondary degenerative joint disease (DJD). Normally, the ball-shaped head of the femur fits snugly into the socket (acetabulum). When the hip doesn't fit tightly, degenerative joint disease begins. The genetic basis for CHD is thought to be polygenic and multifactorial
FN - FAMILIAL NEPHROPATHY
A recessively inherited renal disease that has been recognized in the English Cocker for more than 50 years. FN is a form of "hereditary nephritis" which refers to a group of glomerular diseases that are linked to genetic collagen defects. Onset of renal failure due to FN typically occurs between six and 24 months of age. Clinical signs may include polydipsia (drinks more), polyuria (urinates more), weight loss, lack of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms are commonly associated with any type of renal failure.
It is hoped the the outline of the above conditions, will make you more informed about the breed's health issues. All the conditions invoke great debate from dedicated breeders across the Country. We suggest that when you select your puppy, you bear in mind, that even if the parents have testing certifications, that it is NO GUARANTEE that your puppy will not be afflicted. Probably the best way to think about it is, that your puppy will be a joyous member of your family for the next 10 to 12 years, and like children, they may or may not turn out exactly how you envisioned, however, your love and care, will ensure that they can live a long and happy life as most of the conditions can be corrected or eased by your veterinarian.
SHOW PUPPIES
Puppies whose structure, markings, and general conformance to the standards of the breed qualify them as candidates for Breed Shows. These puppies are either retained by myself to become show dogs, or are sold to individuals who intend to show. We welcome all enquiries regarding Show Puppies, however no guarantees can be given as to the quality of the puppy. Please remember all you are buying is 10 weeks of hope. Sometimes these puppies will not be for sale, but may be placed in a prospect show home on a lease agreement. There is usually only one, perhaps two show prospects in a litter.
PET PUPPIES
Puppies that are not considered show dog candidates. A puppy may be considered unsuitable for showing due to unshowlike markings, less than graceful movement, and other highly technical aspects of stance, profile, and structure. As show dogs have to be almost ‘perfect’ and perfection is almost impossible to achieve, the majority of our puppies are ‘pet puppies’. Even though not destined for the show ring, these puppies make wonderful and beautiful pets.
RETIRED CHAMPIONS
When our show dogs have given all that we have asked of them in the ring and in our breeding program, we do try to rehome them where they can love and be loved in comfort for the rest of their lives. A retired show dog is an exceptional companion animal due to its beauty, training, and eager responsiveness to people. Sometimes our dogs are made up at a very early age and maybe looking for wonderful homes at the age of two years or so. However, this is a very uncommon occurrence and usually our beloved showdogs are retained until they pass on to doggie heaven in their old age.
YOUNG ADULTS
Occasionally, a promising show puppy will not meet its expectations. The decision to retain or rehome a young show prospect is usually made at approximately 8 months of age. These dogs have the benefit of showring training and have been extensively socialised and are always fully house trained. They make the perfect companion for someone who would love a Cocker when all the hard work has been done. Our retired show champions are usually rehomed, entire (not desexed), with the ANKC registration papers signed into the new owners names.
However, if it is a male dog that you acquire from Macdolly, you may be asked to sign an agreement stating that you will join the relevant Canine Control Council in your state of residence, and that the dog may Stand at Stud at my discretion. Young adults who are rehomed will usually have already been desexed and the ANKC registration papers will be signed into the new owners name. On some occasions, they may not have already been desexed, and registration papers will only be signed into the new owners name upon Macdolly receiving a desexing certificate from a practicing Veterinarian. So if you are still interested in purchasing a Cocker Spaniel from our kennels, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our puppies are very reasonably priced and if we do not have puppies available, we may be able to refer you to another reputable breeder who is producing stock from the same select bloodlines.
OUR PUPPY SALE CONTRACT
if you have read all of the above information and are still interested in purchasing a puppy from Macdolly, please click here to read our Puppy Sale Contract.
