A gem is defined as that which is remarkable for beauty, rarity or perfection, a cherished object or person, To me cocker spaniels are little Gemz.
My name is Tricia Barber (ok it is Patricia). My profession is that of a critical care nurse, which influences my position on health issues in the dog world also. As a young kid I can remember being afraid of the family cocker Blondie. I know she was blind and had other health issues as well as temperament issues. I was too young to have a concept as to her age and don't even know if she was euthanized or died of old age. Shortly after I graduated from nursing school, Mom was really wanting a cocker puppy. Since my first paychecks were burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to buy Mom a cocker spaniel puppy although I secretly thought, geez...Why a cocker? So we went through the adds in the paper and we went shopping and came
home with another poorly bred cocker puppy. At least this one I fell in love with. She had lots of physical problems but I loved her and wanted a cocker myself after Honey died at 16 .... but I wanted a healthy cocker.
I talked to vets who said to go through a local breeder club to get names of breeders. I met Jan Morgenthau (Morgenstar Cockers) who had show dogs who looked healthy and had really good temperaments. They also looked way different...they were beautiful. I became fascinated by show cockers. I purchased Lady from another show breeder as Jan didn't have any available. Lady too had problems and was spayed...probably not genetic though. By then though I was hooked on cocker spaniels...they are after all...Little Gemz.
I am pretty new to the show and breeding world. I am a very small hobby breeder. My main focus is on health and temperament. I only breed CERF clear, OFA'd, and thyroid
clear dogs who do not have seizures and have good temperaments. I also do try to breed toward the written standard as structurally correct dogs are more sound. My dogs are raised family style. I do not have a kennel. They are raised with plenty of TLC and good quality natural foods with minimal exposure to environmental chemicals. My dogs are my kids which is the way I feel it should be.
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