GWP x English Springer

[TheHoundsBitch]

Does anyone have any experience of this cross? Is there a (working) reason for it?
We have applied to a rescue to meet a 10 week old, and I can't find much info about the cross. It's not really the type of dog I was expecting we would go for, but DH seems heads over heels for it.
Obviously it's not a foregone conclusion that we will have this pup, but I would like a bit more knowledge of the type before meeting him!

[mrslaughan]

Two very intelligent high energy working breeds.......what someone posted on the poodle collie thread about taking over the house and locking you out springs to mind".......

I think you would need ample time for training and entertainment, and want to work it or do something like agility

[TheHoundsBitch]

Time is not an issue, I am a SAHM and have no plans to change that. I am looking forward to lots of walking and training! We won't be working our dog, but agility is a possibility.
Any ideas on size? I suppose it's hard to predict which way they will go, as there is quite a difference in the size of the two breeds.
I have heard of both breeds being quite needy too, is this typical?

[mrslaughan]

I am no expert - but all the German pointers I have meet (and I have meet a fair few) have been needy and demanding.....though I have often wondered if this is because they are pets, and don't have a job as such - enough mental stimulation. Springers I think are less needy, but still need work and if you follow this forum, there are plenty of people with springers who come on here with dogs thats have ishoos and springers to pop up a lot in that group.
If some of the mumsnetters that are more aware of these breeds don't come along - then maybe a gundog forum , would be a good place to ask (if one exists - surely it must.

[TheHoundsBitch]

Thanks for your help :) I have experience of Labs and GRs, but no other gundogs really. Spaniels have never really appealed to me (I'm more of a muttley person), but DH loves them.
I would hope the rescue wouldn't rehome this dog to us if we aren't suitable owners, but I want to be armed with enough knowledge to make that decision myself too. It's hard to override the cuteness as he is such a stunning puppy!
I'll have a look for a gundog forum.

[TheHoundsBitch]

Bump for the evening crowd :)

[Hechan]

I have a GWP. The plan was that DP would train her to hunt but unsurprisingly it was all left to me and I had no idea how so she's a pet
She's now 6, very calm, sleeps a lot. She can happily run 20+ km on the beach and still be ready for more, but equally happy on couch with just a pee in the garden. V friendly, never aggressive, doesn't chew or bark or dig.
The only downside is her recall, if there's a sniff of a rabbit she'll disappear off but that's probably our fault with training. My dog is similar height to a lab but much slimmer and lighter, but I think she's on the small side.
I'd get another one in a heartbeat.

[Hechan]

Going to try and post photo, I'm 5'4" to give idea of size.

[TheHoundsBitch]

It's good to hear of a happy pet GWP, she looks a good size too. I guess crossed with a springer the puppy might be a bit chunkier. She looks and sounds lovely Hechan

[TheHoundsBitch]

Thanks for your advice, we have decided on a crossbreed rather than the gwp x spaniel. We're going to see her again tomorrow :)

[motmot]

We have a pointer and I wouldn't have another one. She's so sweet and affectionate but her prey drive is incredibly high- luckily we don't live in a suburban area, I stress enough about her encountering a feral cat. They also have a tendency to separation anxiety, as do spaniels I believe? Both high energy breeds and both gundogs so people-oriented but a cross not for the faint-hearted I reckon.

[motmot]

Sorry I see you're going for another dog, what's the mix in this one?

[TheHoundsBitch]

It's a real heinz 57, she's got huge feet so will probably be a big girl. The rescue said they think she has some staffy in her but I can't really see it apart from the colour (she's brindle).

[Floralnomad]

My Patterdale mix had huge feet ( in comparison to his size) when we got him from Battersea ( 15 weeks) , he grew and his feet stayed the same size - he only weighs 13kg .