Looks like we are getting a dog.. First gundog questions...

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Chumsmum

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My OH has been going on for years about getting a dog and I'm finally cracking
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OH 'works' from home
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and we are both 'outdoors' type people so will get plenty of exercise and I think we will offer a good home though the cats might disagree
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He does a lot of shooting and wants a spaniel. His good friend is a gamekeeper who has some puppies left from two litters and has offered him one for nothing - the parents are excellent working dogs so we would be daft to turn it down.

OH hasn't trained a gundog before but he is great with his friend's dogs and will have lots of help.

As OH wants me to come and help choose a puppy, I wanted to ask a few questions on here so I can have some sort of idea what I'm looking at though I'm sure my OH has already picked his favourites
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Any particular thing I need to be looking for when choosing a dog that would be 'easier' to train?

We have no breeding intentions so would you say girl or boy? Would getting them neutered affect them working? I'm quite an advocate for getting balls chopped off etc
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We have the choice of either Sprocker (just one boy left) or an English Springer Spaniel (couple of girls / one boy left) - would you recommend either over the other?

Dog will be living outside.. I am a softy and already imagining it curled up on it's own. All my other animals are kept in pairs / threes - am I asking for trouble by getting two...?
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Thanks for any advice / replies
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Go for one that is reasonally bold as they are easier to train than a shrinking violet.

A single dog is easier to train IMO. If you go for two don't get two bitches as similar age/size bitches can fight like nothing else (that said we have 3 bitches and they get on fine.....probably only because I'm the biggest bitch of the lot!!!
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). I personally think boys are easier to train as tend to be more dependant, that said a good bitch is worth her weight in gold as they have a brain!!!!!
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Think its down to personal choice really.
 
Please don't get two pups.

I think you'll regret it. They will bond with each other and it will make trainer so much harder.

All I can say is do your research and do lots of it.

Get a working line dog if you are going to work it, as working lines are much more active and will not cope with a couch potato lifestyle.

Also, there is quite a bit of info to say that keeping a male dog entire is a healthier way of life these days, but of course, all personal preference!

Good luck and enjoy your dog!
 
Thanks for replies
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I guessed you would say just go for one dog - I'm just being silly really
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I think I would prefer a dog - I prefer geldings to mares too lol.

Thanks for the tip on what to go for.

Any opinions on the Sprocker v ESS?
 
It will definitely be worked - just how good it will be down to us as it will be our first one but OH has researched lots in to it - I've not really shown much interest until now as I wanted to see if he ever went off the idea, but feel guilty to keep using the cats as an excuse...

OH business is outdoor pursuits so will get lots of exercise - don't think we would ever consider a worker if not.

Will look into keeping it entire, haven't seen that, I'm a bit paranoid in unwanted litters etc - OH will be pleased if dog doesn't get the chop - is it a man thing?
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Thanks again for info - getting quite excited about it now.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Any opinions on the Sprocker v ESS

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Not really don't like either!!!
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Sprocker is likely to be steadier than ESS.

Good choice re: going for a boy,
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(bitches tend to gravitate to the men in the house, so I bet your hubby may want a bitch is he is going to be the one working it). I got my male JRT because I was sick of the 2xLab and 1xESS bitches (all workers) only snuggling up to my dad and brother of an evening.
 
Should have realised, my female cat loves him but my male cat and my geldings all prefer me
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I love Labs but he really wants a spaniel...

But there is only one Spocker left and it's a boy
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I love explaining to men how I watched as my geldings were cut..
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Do your workers sleep outside?
 
I had 2 ESS's both entire males of roughly the same age - as soon as puberty hit they fought constantly. My ex had intentions to breed from the tri-colour (gorgeous boy) so we had the liver done, but it made no difference. In the end we had had to re-home the liver (my baby).
I was used to training puppies for normal things like stopping food agression, but not the gun aspects. I think it is about best to make it fun for the dog and encourage them all the time.
 
As long as you & OH enforce that you are top dog it shouldn't matter if you have 1 or 10. BUT it must be enforced that you are the top dogs in charge at all times (even if having a coudle with the dog).
I personally feel it is a load of bull on the bitches over dog issue that one is more loyal than the other. They all have their personal personalities just like people do.

On choosing the pup I always find the pup picks me!

On the breeds I have no idea on either so would not like to say which one to go for (I have labs)! The important thing is that you enjoy it (the both of you) & share duties!
Also do not be affraid to ask for advice from a true proffesional at any time (especially the start).
 
I find it is always better to have 2 dogs as company for each other. Bitches are cute ........but so are dogs! I have 2 labs and a basset! (2 girls 1 boy) The pups will pick you so go with the flow!!!!......
 
Thanks for replies, lots of good advice.

Been speaking to OH - def. only getting one. He assures me that he hasn't got one in mind and no preference on dog/bitch so going to let the puppy choose us
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I delibrately had taken a step back in this dog malarky as I felt I had enough on my plate with a fairly stressful job/3 ponies/2 cats etc and I wanted to be sure OH was serious - yes he is a grown man but acts like a kid sometimes
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and I didn't want to be picking up poo from yet another animal
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Will let you know how we get on.
 
Glad you have decided to just get the one pup - two will be a nightmare!!

I personally would go for the Springer not the Sprocker but then I haven't seen the parents.

There are loads of gundog training videos out there and gun dog forums who are really helpful. I go to a gundog training class in the summer, either with a young dog, or an older one to get them back into it - its great for socialising them which is very important for a working dog - he will be mixing with loads of different dogs out shooting. Of course lots of people send their dogs off to be trained but I am not a great advocate of that and its very costly. Some places hold residential courses for you and your dog - they're better!

The training will depend on what type of shooting your OH does, will he want a peg dog, a rough shooting dog etc.

Good luck, keep us updated - there's nothing more satisfying than having a good day out with a well trained dog and you did it all yourself
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One dog will focus on the humans in its life, two will focus on each other, although our dogs always seem to be two years apart in age, currently we have seven, five and three year olds.

Our bitch adores my husband, the two boys adore me.

Training needs to be little and often (IMO). Ten minutes a day is plenty for a youngster, and whether you have a sprocker or an ESS (we have two), breeding will out - there is a saying that Springers are born half trained, and die half trained!

Personally I would castrate/spay, a veterinary pathologist friend has told me that if a bitch is done before her first season you are dramatically reducing the chances of cancer and therefore hysterectomy (sp?) at a later age.

Good luck whatever you choose!
 
I have had gun dogs all my life, and currently have 2 springers.

It really is best not to get 2 the same age as it will be near on impossible to train them.

Spaniels are the hardest first dog to have, they need an awful lot of exercise, training and attention!

There is a saying which is so true:
"labs are born half trained and spaniels die half trained!"

If you need any advise let me know as my mum is a gundog trainer!
 
Thanks for all your replies - great information
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We went last night to see the puppies. There were 5 left out of the two litters, 1 sold and waiting to go which left us 4 to choose from but it was still difficult! He bought them in to the house for the first time as it was getting too dark outside to see and they ran riot, it was hilarious
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Tried to let the puppy choose us but they were too interested in trying to wreck the house. We finally narrowed it down to a Sprocker bitch, a bit ugly if truthful, white with just one black ear, more independant than the others, happy to chew sock on her own than play tug of war - she was my favourite. OH favourite was a ESS bitch, pretty small head and body but not as bold - she was also the gamekeepers favourite but he happy for us to have her as he will still see her lots and he really doesn't want to keep any of them.

I picked up lots of tips from him about how not to fuss too much etc - will have to restrain myself.

We need to give an answer on which one this morning
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- I've been dreaming all night about it! Will let OH have final say as it will be his dog so probably go for the ESS.

Just sorting out the kennel and puppy proofing the garden.

Thanks again for replies and offer of help krissi - I hope you all realise that I'm going to bore you to death with questions
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