Our Breeding Program

Ridgebury Red Alert CD RN NA NAJ WDX "Mandy"

Our Breeding Program

It is our belief that when a breeder plans each litter, they should have a "bigger picture" in mind... a broader goal. We believe in an English Cocker that is sound both physically and mentally. Our bigger picture here at Calypso is to breed English Cockers with the following characteristics:

1.) Breed type: We breed in accordance to the AKC Breed Standard. We enjoy a cockery body with the correct English Cocker head and soft expression combined with moderate coat of a good texture. We enjoy a sound moving dog, but recognize that without correct type, you cannot have a truly sound cocker.

2.) Temperament: The English Cocker is a family dog and temperament is very important to us. The correct English Cocker temperament is active, happy, friendly, and upbeat. Our standard describes this breed as Merry.

3.) Health: We want to breed English Cockers who are free of genetic health issues. In the book Control Of Canine Genetic Diseases, George Padgett DVM argues that it is likely that each purebred dog carries for at least four or five genetic diseases. English Cockers are a relatively healthy breed, but English Cockers can have eye issues such as PRA and cataracts. They can also have FN, deafness, and hip dysplasia. We will make every attempt possible to maintain a line of English Cockers as free of genetic disease as possible by utilizing all possible testing methods and carefully analyzing pedigrees before doing each breeding. Each dog will have hips checked by OFA, eyes screened yearly with CERF, and we will Optigen test our dogs to prevent PRA.

4.) Intelligence: The English Cocker was developed as a flushing spaniel and these are on average very intelligent little creatures. Unfortunately, if intelligence is not valued and bred for, it diminishes or disappears. We value the intelligent dog and will make every effort possible to breed for BOTH brains and beauty.

5.) Birdiness: As was stated in the last point, the English Cocker is a flushing spaniel and a very good hunting dog. Many lines of show bred English Cockers still have these instincts alive in them. It is our goal to preserve these instincts and to allow the natural instincts of our dogs to shine by training and competing with them in the field.

Sincerely,

Neil and Kelly