Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DH wants a puppy Is it worth getting a puppy for his birthday

118 replies

Safarigiraffe · 01/02/2023 20:31

Hi all, we are thinking of getting a English Springer Spaniel puppy for DH birthday in June as a surprise for him however we do work full time, DS/DD work part time so any advice on if it’s worth getting DH the puppy he's always wanted or hang on a bit

OP posts:
spidereggs · 01/02/2023 21:19

Set up fine

Everything else?

Worth it? Let's assume that's badly worded.

Puppy? Yes all fine, but no breeder worth that name will sell as a surprise

He is an adult

Hey let's research and get a family dog, around your birthday? Can be your present in name.....

Anything else, quite frankly, is insensitive as hell today, so I'm going to shout

DO NOT BUY A FAMILY DOG FROM SOMEONE WHO THINKS A SURPRISE IS GOOD

Ponoka7 · 01/02/2023 21:20

I'm glad that someone else has posted about how much exercise a Springer needs. My hobby was camping, it is a popular breed for people who camp, hike etc because they are so high energy. It's a breed that you plan your life around. It's a bit of a crap present if it's to be a family dog, but like getting a hoover etc. Plan the exercise commitments, then perhaps a family gift for Easter? It's best to have the full set up before the puppy, so pads, toys etc. You need to plan the toilet training and everyone be on board with discipline and were the dog is allowed to go in the house eg not upstairs.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 01/02/2023 21:21

We have a ten month old lab. I worked from home solidly for two months when we got her as she couldn't go anywhere until fully vaxed and needed a lot of attention. She goes to decent daycare with a trainer on the days I am in the office, sometimes overnights as I will do two long days back to back and she won't get the exercise or the stimulation she needs.

If you can afford help and lots of it then it might be viable but do your maths. There's a reason a lot of dogs are being abandoned right now.

PupsAway · 01/02/2023 21:22

Depends on a lot! If your DH has been wanting one ages, you know exactly the type he would go for (and you trust he'll love it, even if you get him a breed he's not too keen on by accident), you've both researched the breed and know what it needs and that you can provide for him, you are ready for the vets bills, food costs, training, peeing and pooing everywhere and eating everything (your chairs, work books, laptops, cables, etc...) etc.. and all the family are on board with it, then yes! Do it!

We got a pup a couple of months ago and I adore him! It was such a good decision! He's part of the family and seems to be really getting used to us and his new surroundings. He needs a couple.of long off-lead walks a day. But otherwise is pretty chill! He's mastered toilet training and so far so good!

Lcb123 · 01/02/2023 21:23

Awful and cruel idea. Puppies are incredibly hard work. Surely
your DS and DD will move out soon if they’re working, then who will look after the dog. Sorry but sounds very short sighted

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 01/02/2023 21:25

What happens when your children want to go out, or work full time, or move out?

This is a horrendous idea and a springer spaniel is really not the breed for you.

Atethehalloweenchocs · 01/02/2023 21:30

Spaniels can be lovely dogs but a lot of work and need training, and lots of time put in. Lots of people understimate the amount of work they are.

FrauleinElsaMars · 01/02/2023 21:31

We got our dog a couple of years ago, he’s a miniature schnauzer cross. We both work full time, but both from home, I took a month off when we got him but I could have done with a full mat leave 😂😂 however we have absolutely no regrets on getting him, he was enriched our lives so much. Be prepared for that first year to be hard work tho.

KimberleyClark · 01/02/2023 21:32

No no no. Getting any animal as a surprise gift is wrong.

lollylimejuice · 01/02/2023 21:33

I had an English Springer Spaniel. I loved her very much.
As a breed, they are very active and need lots of walking, every day, twice a day at least and when they walk and run they kick up mud, water you name it. It's the way they run. So, you'll need lots of old towels and an outside hose for cleaning your new puppy down.
It's a big deal getting a dog and all the promises to walk disappear at 6.30pm on a cold, wet winter's night. Your husband, if he wants a puppy should choose his own.
Check the breed line and the pedigree and the temperament.

The animal charities are overrun with dogs purchased during lockdown and that now don't fit.

Dontlistitonfacebook · 01/02/2023 21:36

Pets are not gifts. Neither for adults nor for children.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 01/02/2023 21:37

Puppies are adorable wankers.
Mine is just coming out of it age 15 months.

Longdarkcloud · 01/02/2023 21:38

If despite all the advice here you decide to go ahead then make a voucher card to give him on his birthday saying his gift is that he can choose a puppy.
A part of the experience of getting a companion animal is the choosing and you should not deprive your DH of that pleasure.

Costacoffeeplease · 01/02/2023 21:40

Ridiculous idea. How are you going to train the pup when different people will be with it all the time? It needs consistency to learn

Plus a living breathing animal should NEVER be a ‘surprise’ or a present.

I can’t believe people still even consider doing this 🙄

Rainbowqueeen · 01/02/2023 21:42

Someone needs to be home full time with the puppy for the first 6 weeks, focusing on care, settling and training.

What research have you done into suitable breeds for your family?
How are you planning to adapt your lives to adequately care for your dog for the rest of its life?

Im not saying don’t get a puppy but unless you have done the really basic 3 things above then don’t get a puppy. Saying “someone will be around” makes you sound like you haven’t fully considered what is involved in having a dog in the family.

plumduck · 01/02/2023 21:43

What happens when your kids move out?
This is a bad idea

BotterMon · 01/02/2023 21:43

Springers are extremely high energy intelligent dogs. Not for first time dog owners if that is your case.
If they aren't exercised/stimulated enough they will destroy things. They also love company.

Don't buy a working breed if you want a cuddly pet and you should never buy one as a surprise present. By all means it can be a present as long as you all choose the dog together and do you research beforehand as to what's a suitable breed. And buy from a registered breeder which usually kyboshes the birthday present idea anyway as pups aren't bred to order.

DominoRules · 01/02/2023 21:45

Have you done plenty of research into Springers? They are amazing dogs but need a lot of your time and attention!

Mine is now 15 months and needs about 2 hours off lead exercise a day plus activities to occupy his mind. He is totally attached to me, if I move in the house he moves. He can cope with being on his own for a few hours on occasion but certainly wouldn’t manage on a daily basis.

I have done a lot of training with him, as well as sniffer dog classes. We are also starting gun dog classes and flyball soon, he needs that mental stimulation to learn something new and to ‘work’.

You have to honestly ask yourselves if you can give a dog like a springer the life they deserve. They are intelligent, focused and full of energy and you have to be prepared to challenge them and channel that in the right way.

Stellaris22 · 01/02/2023 21:50

Someone near us got a spaniel cross on a whim as 'it's cute'. Person has mobility issues and clearly did no research into the breed and constantly complains about the exercise needs. It's off lead and bothers children and other dogs as the person can't physically keep up with it.

They are lovely dogs but I wish people would research breeds.

Eastereggsboxedupready · 01/02/2023 21:51

Ime of older dc being at home... They are usually in bed and nowhere near a dpuppy.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/02/2023 21:53

I don’t think you should surprise someone with any pet. I made sure dh was involved in the choosing. Dh adores dpup who is now 2.5. Puppies are destructive dicks though.

Hongkongsuey · 01/02/2023 21:54

I don’t think a high stamina working dog like this is the dog for you. They’re extremely loyal and want to be with their owners and have high energy so lots of stimulating exercise. How about a more laid back breed?

Reinventinganna · 01/02/2023 21:55

Get a tamagotchi.

Insideallday · 01/02/2023 21:55

You need to research the breed more. Are you willing to walk a springer twice a day EVERY day! We had a springer spaniel, loved her, miss her so much. She was high energy. She had one lead walk (1hr) and one off lead walk a day (1hr), weekends she’d get much longer walks.

things to consider….springers stink when wet, even after a bath….coat stinks. They shed a lot too, they need to be groomed reg, consider this cost. Because they are low to
the ground she would get destroyed on walks on rainy days, muddy belly and legs. They are hunters by nature, she’d often bring a rabbit home from a field walk. They spin when excited. We built a run for her outside, it was pointless….in her youthful days she could spring over 3mts height.

They are fabulous breeds but you need to realise you will have to adapt your daily habits

I miss our springer terribly, she
minded all our children, she was a mammy
:-)

NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/02/2023 21:56

I disagree with the advice re not buying a working breed if you want a cuddly dog. My working cocker is full of energy and speed off lead on walks but a home he flops on floor/sofa depending on his mood and loves to cuddle. He’s been snuggling with me for an hour so far this evening.