Springer Spaniel advice

[AMoorlen]

Hi

My partner is looking at getting another dog, between us we've never had a Springer but that is what she's leaning towards.

She wants it mainly as a pet but something she can take beating (which is why she stopped looking at Teckels). And also something that she doesn't need to worry about around my dogs (HPRs + Labs). Not too sure what to look out for when looking at litters, any advice much appreciated.

 

[finbar]

Docked very lil red ink in its pedigree
Only breed of dogs to have ADHD bred into them
Had them now for over 20 years lurchers terriers before that
Can be lil head strong will go over bored to please you
Won’t have any other breed now
Possible a Teckel when a retired 5 years from now hopefully

 

[timbrayford]

Hi

My partner is looking at getting another dog, between us we've never had a Springer but that is what she's leaning towards.

She wants it mainly as a pet but something she can take beating (which is why she stopped looking at Teckels). And also something that she doesn't need to worry about around my dogs (HPRs + Labs). Not too sure what to look out for when looking at litters, any advice much appreciated.

Choose the boring looking pup that just pricks up its ears and looks at you, that's the one that will pay attention and be easy to train

 

[Donkey Basher]

Had springers for over 30 years after being persuaded by a keeper friend to get one instead of a lab.

They say labs are born half trained & springers die half trained. I'd say that with labs you have to get them to do what they can do & with spaniels you need to stop them doing what they know they can do.

Full of energy & keep going all day, ideal beating dog in that respect. Teach the basics early, control & recall & the dog will do the rest naturally. Have used mine for beating & picking up as well as finding deer. Both currently lying on their beds looking longingly at me having been fed & waiting to jump on laps!

 

[cookingfat]

Had springers, labs for 45 years and each dog has been different and when your looking at a 8 week old litter you can never really tell how its going to turn out.

My two current springers are chalk and cheese, the older one was so easy to train, once trained it would sit on the peg while I was loading and work the beating line, my younger springer was a completely different kettle of fish, very hard to train and took much longer to do so, she will work the beating line but don't think she will ever sit on the peg.

Long and short of it is you can never really tell how things will turn out but you will be stuck with it for some time.

Good luck and hope it turns out ok

 

[bullet chucker]

Started with Springers years and years ago,Now I have Two Cockers there are similarities but I prefer the honesty of the cocker if' they were bred from good working stock which both of mine were.

BC.

 

[greylag]

Definitely from working stock, boundless energy thats a joy to watch, tendency to over think things..

 

[potshotpat]

Spaniels. Nobody ever sold a good one, nobody ever bought a bad one. The ones to watch out for are the ones that when you let them out of your vehicle on a shoot day, give you a passing glance as much as to say I'll see you at 4 o'clock. Good,bad or indifferent I love them. PS a good name for one is you little illegitimate.

 

[Len the dog]

A springer wants to do everything at 100mph, the hardest thing is not getting him going but to get him to stop. I don't mean stopping him with a whistle, I mean taking his foot off the gas for more than two seconds. Unbelievable amount of stamina but if you are out beating on a shoot all day then you will need more than one dog because if you let them they will literally run themselves into the ground.

Also, a springer just absolutely, totally and utterly wants to please you all the time, praise him for doing well and you'll have the most loyal dog ever.

 

[Len the dog]

Also as Finbar pointed out, docked and dew clawed is an absolute must, as they get older they have no limits for what they will try to push through when on a scent, I've seen some horrendous tail injuries on dogs that weren't docked. Also on labs but a springer is in the brambles and thorns to such a greater extent and their tails never stop wagging.

 

[GN01]

Fantastic breed and great to watch. They tend to calm down after the first 10 or 11 years...or never.

 

[NullMac]

A springer wants to do everything at 100mph, the hardest thing is not getting him going but to get him to stop.

I had the complete reverse. Not remotely interested in game, wouldn't pick cold game. Bugger all happening.

Eventually tied him to a fence post behind the line on a driven shoot and let him pick a warm pheasant. Different dog for the rest of his life. He was 3 really before he got going. Worth it though he worked well after that.

 

[reiver]

Had springers for over 20years now wouldn’t be with out one . Had some goodies and some bad ones but all good workers . . guaranteed to break your heart when they go to Valhalla.
This is my current working ESS he is a bit of a **** at times but is a great worker and loves digging.

 

[finbar]

What a belta

 

[gelert]

My first was aptly named Gelert,last of the litter and bought for £50.
What a dog,no off switch old style very big powerful dog lived till he was 15.
Current dog 6 years old,incredibly soft,but training came so easy and just wants to please.Interestingly he had an undescended testicle,so at 12 months had to whip one off,hasn't made any difference to his speed.
The age old saying, Labradors are born half trained,Spaniels die half trained.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I think my springer is a brilliant dog, she will do whatever is asked just to make you happy. She was probably the easiest to train dog I've had and picked everything up quickly. She was retrieving rabbits at 6 months or so quite happily. I think her first retrieve was around 4 months whilst taking her for a quick stroll.
She has a bit much red in her breeding and when she's out, Is on the go pretty constantly, only slowing down slightly now she's 7.

Flip side of that, I thought she was a bit much as a pup, my pointer pup makes her look relaxed!

 

[Len the dog]

When it comes to choosing one out of the litter I think Tim hit the nail on the head, make a sound or a little whistle and see which one picks up on it. We did this when we chose our current springer and when my wife picked him up he grasped her thumb between his front paws and gripped for dear life and wouldn't let go, whether that was because he felt comfortable with her or he thought she might drop him I'll never know, but he is the one of the best working springers I've come across in all my years of shooting over them.
At the end of the day it's impossible to say how they'll turn out because the others go to different homes and a different way of doing things, had a different pup gone to you then it may well have turned out differently to what it has.

I don't get the theory of not wanting too much red in the pedigree, my dog's lineage has a good list of FTCHs but I have shot with a few of those guys whose dogs appear on it over the years and every single one of those dogs was a 1st class working dog, not just a one trick pony trained to perform flawlessly on the day. That may be true of other breeds but I cannot say because I don't have the experience, but certainly amongst ESS circles they have all been proper workers. I would back this up by admitting that my training abilities are limited but my dog's ability goes way beyond that, therefore it is in his blood to do what he does.

 

[CookM]

My last one didn't know he wasn't a lap dog.
Need another soon.

 

[CookM]

Spend every minute you can encouraging them into the dog you want,they do reward you.
My family miss both of mine .

 

[Len the dog]

I take mine out foxing at night and if I'm sitting rather than walking he'll be on my lap quick as a flash, he's a good sized strong dog so not exactly comfortable, but hey ho.