[sabrina]

Had an e-mail from my son this morning, they are buying a King Charles Spanial puppy. His question was would I buy the runt of the litter. Its half the size of the other 6 puppies and he was told mum was not feeding it as much as the others as she kept being pushed aside. Also very quite while the rest of the litter are full of life. Now my 7 year old granddaughter has already met her and given her the name of Poppy. Breeder has said they will all be vet checked and scanned this coming Friday. ? My answer was that I would only buy the runt if it was as lively as the rest and in good health. I would want to see a vet report.  Should it be cheaper ? Puppies born 8th of April. This will be their first dog, they have 3 children, age 5, 7 ,10 and I would hate for them to have a bad experience. My son grew up with dogs so should know how to look after a puppy. Any advice please.

[lachlanandmarcus]

I wouldnt. First dog, children involved, you want the most strapping healthy one in a litter. Especially would avoid a quiet one, not a good sign re: potential health problems or future temperament issues with a timid dog. I wouldnt say never get the last of the little but I would say dont if it is significantly poorer than the rest. Price I would say is not a persuader.

Would also want to be sure no syringomyelia in parents...

[robert waddell]

price is not a factor   and neither should the size  imagine if it was purchased and later died the heartbreak to the children and the financial lose as well         far to often people buy from the heart and regret it 

[Moleskins]

A friend who was a vet once told me to buy the biggest dog or bitch in the litter, the one that was pushing the others out the way and eating all the food.
That's because the vets never see those dogs as often as they do the weaker dogs.

I notice the breeder seemed to be playing up that they would all be checked by the vet, which makes you feel
all will be well, when of course it's unlikely that it will be ok.

I'm tempted to say typical.

My advice would be to not buy the weaker dog or bitch and possibly find another litter to choose from.

[kaz]

I would agree with all the others regarding this runt of the litter. It has probably got something wrong with it and it would be awful with children and their first puppy to have something wrong with it. King Charles dogs can suffer from all types of things due to the interbreeding. I should know having purchased two from the same litter that both died within months of each other at the age of six. My sister in law bought one and later found it suffered from fits & had a bad heart and died before it was a year old.

Don't get me wrong King Charles are beautiful dogs but don't buy one that is looking dodgy now, as it can lead to real heartbreak. A lot of breeders are just after the money and will do everything to sell a pup. A reputable breeder will take them to the vets to be checked, but in this case you just have the word of that breeder.

Please beware.

[sabrina]

Update, My son decided to do a bit of research after my mail, turns out breeder is a puppy farm that has been closed down 3 times. she had 12 bitches all due pups. My daughter inlaw has been in touch with trading standards to get her closed again. They are upset but as i pointed out they could have landed with vet bills or a dead pup. Hope they will take better care next time.

[doganjo]

Well done to your son and daughter-in-law, Sabrina, for doing the right thing by these puppies and their parents.    So often people feel sorry for these pups and buy them to give them a better home than they have and that is exactly what puppy farms rely on!

[lachlanandmarcus]

Good for them and hope they find a lovely bruiser of a puppy soon :-))) and hurrah for getting TS onto the scum.

[kaz]

Well done to them. I hope they find a real good puppy soon.

[sabrina]

I have told him to check the Kennel Club for breeders, also look into health problems.  mentioned the local dog rescue could be worth a look. My grandaughter is so upset and its hard for her to understand why they are not getting the puppy.

[sabrina]

They are looking for a Ruby King Charles bitch pup, live in North Wales so far not found one.

[Bramblecot]

Please tell them to be extremely careful buying a 'cute' pedigree puppy.  I could tell you horror stories having worked with dogs for over 10 years.  Lets just say my niece bears the scars  :'(CKCS are notorious for breed problems although delightful little dogs in general.  Well done re the TS  - the breeders should be publicly shamed.

[kaz]

Have you tried looking at Champ Dogs. There are several breeders in the North Wales area, but don't know if they have what you want.
Please be extremely carefull with who you get one of these dogs from as they can have a lot of health problems.

[Moleskins]

Have you tried looking at Champ Dogs. There are several breeders in the North Wales area, but don't know if they have what you want.
Please be extremely carefull with who you get one of these dogs from as they can have a lot of health problems.

Perhaps a different breed might be better if there are health probs. losing a pet early in it's life would be heartbreaking for the children.

[jaykay]

There are so many dogs and puppies needing homes. A smallish, spanielish puppy from a rescue centre is likely to have 'hybrid vigour' in terms of both health and temperament.

Nothing is ever guaranteed of course, and I know some folk say 'always meet the parents' but every dog anyone in my family has ever had, bar these current BCs (and their mum was) has been a rescue dog and not a a bad 'un amongst them.