PoppyS.
New User
Me and my OH are thinking about getting a puppy
, Im very excited, mainly because he said we can get a Springer !
I loved springers since I was a child, although never had one since my family only got our first dog when I was 11, a rescue greyhound who was 5 when we adopted him, died at aged 13, so never had the chance to have another dog while I was there, before I moved out on my own. I have since met my now husband, and we have been living together for around 3 years. We are not quite ready for kids yet, however would love to have a puppy around. Although we dont have kids yet, we do plan on having them in the future, maybe the next 2-4 years. We both work, I work as a dog groomer, 10-6 every week day, husband works 9-5 office job, also every week day. We have our weekends free, either spending time with family (nothing that would be inconvenient to do with the puppy, other than the occasional meal out, or me and OH going to national trust places, most of which allowing dogs. Of course, sometimes we will have to leave the dog, for if we went shopping, or went to the cinema or so on so on. My mum has agreed to sometimes doggysit if shes avaliable, if she isnt, then we shall either reschedule or wait until the dog is able to be alone for longer periods of time. I dont have a lunch break, but OH does, so he will be coming home to let them go to the toilet, and to play around in the garden for about 20-30 minutes. We have an average garden, big enough for the puppy to run around in before their vaccinations are done. When the pup is able to be out and about, we will be taking it to the local forest, and open fields. We also have a lake close by, about a 15 minute car ride. We plan on taking it to puppy classes, and agility classes once old enough. We understand they also need mental exercise, so will be buying some mind working things (the things where they have to try and figure out how to get a treat out??). I heard somewhere that once the pup is allowed out, we should take them out off leash and let them run around until theyre tired so that we dont damage their joints/bones. If this is true then that is fine, I can exercise the dog for at least an hour in the morning, depending how long they wish to be out in the field, and at night for at most 3 hours once theyre adult. On weekends the dog will most likely be able to run until their hearts content. We have some questions,
Are Springer spaniels good for agility? Would a cocker spaniel be a better choice? Work or show line? (I 100% prefer the look of work springers, however I am willing to get a show line if its better suited for us). We also love collies, and want to get one in the future, once the Springer is fully trained and fully grown, so do Border collies and springers generally get along (I know its not always on the breed, but as a general thing, do they tend to get along?)
I know this is a very long message, but we want to be sure that we are doing the right thing so that we dont have to rehome the puppy, which would break our hearts.
Are Springer spaniels good for agility? Would a cocker spaniel be a better choice? Work or show line? (I 100% prefer the look of work springers, however I am willing to get a show line if its better suited for us). We also love collies, and want to get one in the future, once the Springer is fully trained and fully grown, so do Border collies and springers generally get along (I know its not always on the breed, but as a general thing, do they tend to get along?)
I know this is a very long message, but we want to be sure that we are doing the right thing so that we dont have to rehome the puppy, which would break our hearts.