New dog what type is best for our requirements?

[patch1234]

Unfortunately I had to put my dog of 16 years to sleep last month as he had a stroke.

We are considering another dog but dont know what type is best for us.

Can anyone give me any info on Springer Spaniels as we have seen them about and they seem like nice dogs.

 

[Suzie86]

I've just bought a springer puppy to live with my cocker! She comes home in 2 weeks

 

[patch1234]

Hi Suzie what made you choose a Springer?

 

[Kallibear]

There are a couple or springer 'types' about, and many health issues with springers as they've been so overbred and over produced.

There's the big, solid old fashioned springer, as they used to be: nig and solid with a heavy head, stoic, laid-back but with a very high work drive. They are often a one-person dog and not that bothered about other people (although generally nice natured).

Then there's the hyperactive, manic, much smaller 'modern' springer. Light-weight, weedy and usually long in body and tail, a bit more like a large field cocker. Soppy and gentle but usually neurotic and bit nervous. They often have hip and elbow problems, part due to their busy busy busy nature. They are the most commonly seen type around nowadays and the ones who are massively over-bred with little health checking.

What type of lifestyle will you give a dog? How much excercise and what kind? How much time will they spend on their own? How big a dog do you want? What kind of temperament? (quiet, boisterous, loyal, outgoing, calm, enthusiastic etc etc).

 

[patch1234]

Our last dog was a medium sized mongral similar to a pointer. We had him 16 years he came from the dogs home.

We own a stable yard so will be with us most days. In the evening will be at home with us and hopefully sleep at end of bed.

No small children in the house, chickens and horses at the yard, would go for walks but im not a long walker as too worn out after the horses.

Must be friendly and enjoy a cuddle. Not keen on Staffie, Rottweilers, Dobermans due to our life style.

Would like medium/large male or female.

Would be on their own occasionaly, we do have a cat.

 

[Kallibear]

A springer would prob suit your lifestyle. They need a lot of exercise but all day out on the yard, then a walk would be enough.

They are however a fairly small dog if you get the more common type: much smaller than a pointer.

They are really over grown lap dogs and very soft a cuddly

They do however have many health issues, ESPECIALLY problems with their hips, cruiate and elbows. You need to choose very carefully.

If you like the springer 'type' (feathery) but want something bigger, the flatcoats are lovely. They have health issues too so again, do some research.

If you have nothing specific in mind, why not try a rescue centre first. There's often lovely spaniel or lab crosses who would suit you perfectly, and a lot less prone to breed health issues. And do look at staffie crosses: they are seriously cuddly dogs!

 

[Suzie86]

Hi patch, a few reasons! We have a show type cocker who we started doing gundog training with for fun and as an alternative to normal puppy classes, boyfriend in particular has got really into it and wants to take it a bit more seriously, so wanted to get a proper working type and start doing things properly from the very beginning. Also opportunity really, my friend has just had a litter from her lovely bitch, who is just a lovely dog as well as good in the field our other dog will carry on and I will probably do more with him and perhaps mix in a bit of agility

I think a springer could suit you as sounds like you have an active lifestyle!

Here's willow.....

 

[Luci07]

My 3 staffords are proper yard dogs and youngest one hacks out. They are actually really high energy dogs and need the exercise and stimulation. We have a large range of dogs on our yard and most dogs would like the lifestyle you offer. Only thing I have noticed is that a couple of the older dogs (lab and a working cocker) no longer like going out on hacks etc whereas my previous staff was hacking out, aged 12, 3 weeks before she died due to a tumour. Why not go back to a rescue, with your list and see which dog tugs at your heartstrings? also, maybe think carefully about what you really loved in your previous dog so you don't assume every dog will share the same trait. My dogs are highly sociable and take the whole loving people bit to extremes and the Dally on the yard seems to share a lot of their characteristics. If you do pick a certain breed, then don't forget there will often be a breed rescue as well. Equally, if you want a puppy, sadly there are often quite a lot of puppies in rescue as well. Battersea always seem to have some litters they have been dumped with..and pictures of whatever you end up with and sorry you lost your previous dog as well...

 

[EAST KENT]

There are a couple or springer 'types' about, and many health issues with springers as they've been so overbred and over produced.

There's the big, solid old fashioned springer, as they used to be: nig and solid with a heavy head, stoic, laid-back but with a very high work drive. They are often a one-person dog and not that bothered about other people (although generally nice natured).

Then there's the hyperactive, manic, much smaller 'modern' springer. Light-weight, weedy and usually long in body and tail, a bit more like a large field cocker. Soppy and gentle but usually neurotic and bit nervous. They often have hip and elbow problems, part due to their busy busy busy nature. They are the most commonly seen type around nowadays and the ones who are massively over-bred with little health checking.


This describes the KC Show type Springer and then the shooting type working Springer.One,the second would be unbearable without a lot of exercise or work.The first is fairly normal and easy to live with.

 

[orionstar]

I know three people that have the slightly manic, hyperactive type, that run round with live animals in their mouths, like the chickens, pidgeons, and once and unfortunate yard cat, then there was the hiding of underwear, the uprooting and burying of all the house plants into the carpet, and the fact that you couldnt leave a cup of tea unattended anywhere, as the cup would vanish, never to be seen again, and the one that used to make a tunnel through the muck heap every day. Give me a Dobe, a Rottie or a Staffy anyday!