where is the best place to find a good breeder...

[maletto]

....from whom to buy a puppy?

there is a *slight* possibility I might be able to get a puppy. I don't want a rescue, would rather a male cocker (either working or show) but haven't got a dog since the day you would get the magazines and look up breeders in your local area... any suggestions? good websites to view? central databases of breeders? thanks!

(not holding my breath as the whole thing may still be a pipe dream but my mum has provisionally agreed to look after a mutt during the day whilst I'm at work...)

 

[satinbaze]

Try the breed club. In my breed (Flatcoated Retrievers) we have litter recorders who have a list of all available puppies and their suitability for different types of homes. The other option is the Kennel Club. Whichever why you opt for do your research first about your breed, know which health testing should have been done and what are acceptable results. ie: average hip scores for the breed
When you visit a litter ask to see the test results, in fact a good breeder should volunteer to show you these, as the test such as eye tests all have certificates that go with them with the results written on. DO NOT ACCEPT answers such as "she has good hips" or "my vet checked her eyes and they are okay" Most test need to be done on BOTH parents but one or two are on the sire or dam only such as haemophillia in GSDs.
A good breeder will be asking you as many questions as you ask them as they will want the best possible homes for their puppies.
Good luck with your puppy hunt

 

[Venevidivici]

Champdogs website has a lot of useful info.