On 29 Apr 2005 17:44:10 -0700 Family Guy  whittled   
   these words:   
   > My family is looking to purchase either a Cockapoo or Cockalier. We are   
   > located in the Middle Tennessee area.  If you know of anyone that is a   
   > reputable breeder and will have a litter of puppies ready by June 2005,   
   > please let us know.   
      
   I can't refer you to any such breeder but I can give you some information   
   on how to idnetify one.  Presumably for your family pet what you are   
   looking for in a breeder is two things (1) a breeder who knows enough and   
   cares enough to breed for good health and (2) a breeder who cares enough   
   about the welfare of the puppies that both of you will sign a contract   
   regarding matters such as what happens to the dog if you can't keep it,   
   and providing you guidence and advice to get through puppy problems and   
   avoid behavior problems.  That you prefer a mixed breed dog doesn't mean   
   you have lower standards in regard to good health and temperament. You   
   may, however, have a harder time finding a breeder who actually knows the   
   dogs in the line well enough to do good genetic matching.  Poodles   
   and cocker spaniels share a number of health problems so avoiding those   
   problems requires proper testing and record keeping to detect it before it   
   is serious enough to get noticed without that testing.  FOr example, you   
   will want to look for a breeder who has "CERF'd" both parents, and   
   hopefully has CERF records onthe grandparents and great grandparents, and   
   as many siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins as possible.  That provides   
   the careful breeder with good information about the risks of the puppies   
   haivng PRA or other eye diseases that may cause the dog to go  blind at 5   
   or 6 years old.  Similarly the skilled and careful breeder will have xrays   
   taken of the knees, elbows and hips of both parents, and records of the   
   same of grand parents etc to avoid the risk of "luxating patella" hip   
   dyslasia and other problems.  Don't let anyone tell you only big dogs get   
   hip dysplasia.  The Pug dog is nmumber two or three on the list of   
   affected breeeds.  Poodles and Cocker spaniels are less often affected by   
   that problem, but slipping knee caps "luxating patella" and other issues   
   are important to check for and avoid.  Temperament is also important. You   
   will definetly want to meet the mother.  She should be self confident and   
   friendly.  She should not be esepcially barky and she should willingly   
   quiet when her person assures her you are welcome in the home. If you get   
   a chance to meet the sire the same appplies.  Do not under any   
   circumstances accept puppies when you cannot meet the dam, and if you are   
   not completely satsified with her temperament.   
      
   There is no excuse for all the unhealthy and poorly tempered dogs out   
   there.  Nothing you can do to help  except use care to chose a breeder   
   whose breeding practices produce healthy dogs of good temperament. It will   
   take some patience to find the right breeder, but I'm sure you would   
   rather do that than reward a breeder who doesn't know what they don't   
   know.   
      
   Good luck and have fun.   
      
   --   
   Diane Blackman   
   http://dog-play.com/   
   http://dogplay.com/Shop/   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)