This dog tip about puppies is by Dr. Alvin Grossman, an international dog show judge. He has judged dog shows in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Sweeden, France, Holland, Brazil, Russia, Taiwan, New Zealand, and the Phillipines. He is considered one of the foremost authorities on the American Cocker Spaniel. His books on breeding, dog showing, and the American Cocker Spaniel can be found here on our web page.

Is it better to buy a male or a female puppy?

Most books advise the budding novice to obtain the best bitch ("bitch" being the term for a female dog) he can afford and then to proceed with a sound breeding program. Although this appears to be sound advice, actually it is not.

Assuming that a novice could recognize an outstanding bitch, what breeder would then sell that bitch to a novice? Even if the novice has the best of intentions and a lot of cash, the breeder of the bitch is unlikely to give up such a treasure. An outstanding bitch is worth her weight in gold to a breeder. One superior bitch is all it takes to launch an entire bloodline.

Unfortunately, the bitch that is available to the novice is usually of lesser quality. How much less? That depends on the breeder from who she is purchased, the purchase price, and how much the novice has to offer in return. Ideally, the bitch should be able to produce offspring better than the bitch herself when bred right.

As a novice, it's easier to purchase a high-quality male puppy than a high-quality female puppy. Typically, a breeder won't keep a male unless he is "vital" to their breeding program or considered top-flight quality. Many good male puppies are available, puppies that are capable of having good show careers. However, many of these males wind up not being shown due to lack of takers. Usually, breeders are delighted to sell their above-average males to people who are interested in showing.

If you would enjoy showing more than breeding, or if you would like to begin as an exhibitors and move into breeding later, strongly consider purchasing a male puppy first.

What about leasing a female then?

You may be able to lease a bitch. Although bitches offered for lease are usually older, under certain circumstances younger bitches are offered for lease. Typically, the younger bitch will have earned a championship or points toward that goal, or will have produced a litter. Bitches are offered for lease so that the breeder offering the bitch for lease may make room for younger stock but still control the bitch's destiny.

How old a puppy should I buy?

The best time to select and buy a show-quality puppy is when it is about eight months old. By then the puppy should look close to the way he will look at maturity, he will have gone through most of the awkward stages, he will still be young enough to adjust to a new home, and you may still enjoy him as a puppy. For those not desiring a show dog, get your puppy between 8-12 weeks of age.

A puppy younger than eight months may cost you less, but you will be taking more of a risk. Sometimes a serious show fault appears that is undetectable before the puppy is eight months of age.

How in the world do I pick a good puppy?

Before purchasing a puppy, become familar with the breed. Go to dog shows, talk with breeders and exhibitors, read the breed standards, and read a book-- hopefully one from Doral ;-) --about your chosen breed. Recognize, understand, and appreciate the characteristics of your particular breed, whether it's a Newfoundland, a Collie, a Beagle, a Labrador, or a rare breed, such as the Catahoula. Knowing and understanding what the "standard" of the breed will help you better determine the quality of the puppy.

But remember, the whole dog is more important than his parts. Try not to focus too much on any one outstanding part but rather look at the dog as a whole. Even if several parts of the dog are outstanding, the dog will be worthless as a competitor if he lacks balance, symetry, and proportion.

Just about every trait a puppy possesses can change. Beautiful, plush puppy heads can turn into plain, poor adult heads. A long neck with smooth shoulders can turn into a short neck and heavy shoulders. While these types of developmental changes do occur, it is extremly rare that a puppy's initial faulty characteristics correct themselves. Still, an outstanding puppy has a much greater chance to mature into a good adult specimen than does a mediocre specimen.

What other qualities should I look for?

Dogs who are the biggest winners in the show ring all possess one intangible quality. People have different names for it. Some call it heart, others call it soul, still others call it showmanship. It's this quality that makes a judge select one dog over another, even if the two are of equal conformation.

Sometimes a dog's structure will leave you breathless when the dog is posed in a show stance. But put that dog on the floor with the rest of the litter and he blends into the background. Then, there is the dog who, when posed, could use a little more of this or a little less of that. But when this dog is on the floor, surrounded by other dogs, he draws attention to himself and he stands out from the crowd.

This is the kind of dog you are looking for: A dog who makes the most of what he has, a dog that possesses a superior personality, and a dog who knows he is a winner.

Where should I buy that special puppy?

Certainly NOT from a pet shop! When you do this you have no idea about the dog's background or health. You are much, much better off buying from a breeder.

Most people expect to be able to purchase a good dog from any breeder. A few blue ribbons and some puppy-match trophies can convince beginners that they're dealing with a successful breeder. Breeders who are not well-established may indeed produce good stock. However, they are not in a position to offer their best stock to others, simple because they need it to improve their own bloodlines.

Therefore, buy your puppy from a well-established breeder. Judge the breeder on objective criteria. Have this breeder's dogs finished their championships with good show records against good competition? Or did they finish in poor competition and take a long time in doing so? Does this breeder sell good dogs to others or keep them? Are this breeder's dogs and bloodlines in demand? Are the breeder's dogs producing quality specimens? Do other breeders breed their dogs to this breeder's dogs? You can find this specific information from breed books and by talking to exhibitors at the shows. Also, breed magazines publish lists of top producing dogs and bitches based upon the number of champion offspring. They may also publish lists of top breeders.

Is it a good idea to form a relationship with a breeder?

In order to form a good relationship with a breeder you must understand what drives him or her. Breeders want the best for their bloodlines. They also want their good dogs to be shown and win.

Selling promising dogs to novices could be a bad move on the breeder's part. They could be unsure of the novice's commitment to the dog; they don't know if the novice will be able to raise the dog properly or show them to their best advantage. In some ways, selling a puppy is like selling a child; a good breeder will want to ensure the puppy is going to a good home and is going to have a good future.

If you demonstate a high level of commitment to showing the dog, the breeder is more likely to offer you a puppy of higher quality. Ways to prove your level of commitment include: Discussing the possibility of placing the dog with a professional handler for his show career, allowing the breeder to guide you with regard to the puppy's upbringing, and letting the breeder have some say in the first breeding (for a female puppy). Work with the breeder to arrange terms that suit everyone.

Successful breeders are a fountain of knowledge because they've spent years breeding and raising dogs. Approach the breeder in a straightforward manner and ask for help and guidance. Breeders will teach the novice who really wants to learn.

Why are purebred dogs so expensive?

You have now located the ideal puppy to start you off in the dog "game." Your excitement is high, your enthusiasm boundless. Then the breeder tells you the puppy's price. Your jaw drops to your chest. Before you accuse the breeder of overcharging, consider the following: Breeders rarely make a profit on their litters, most merely hope to break even.

There are many costs involved in producing and raising a litter: The stud fee, which can range from $100 to $500, based upon the dog's breed and the quality of the stud; shipping the bitch to the stud dog; veterinary exams and shots for all the puppies; additional food and vitamins for the dam (the mother of the litter); food for the puppies; and advertising to sell the puppies. After all the expenses are paid and the puppies are sold, breeders feel fortunate if they make even a small profit.

Level 1. Winning with Purebred Dogs by Dr. Alvin Grossman

Level 2. The Standard Book of Dog Breeding by Dr. Alvin Grossman

Level 3. Born To Win: Breed to Succeed by Patricia Craige