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

[Safarigiraffe]

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

@NeedAHoliday2021 yep when we’re at home he tries to curl up on my
lap like a cat!!

Definitely don't get it as a surprise. You all need to be ready, prepared and committed when a dog arrives in the house.

Also, 'Is it worth it' makes it sounds like you haven't got any burning sense of the essentialness of having a dog in your life. Without that burning sense of essentialness, the hard work and constant challenges will mean that you end up resenting the dog.

Don't do it.

Especially not a springer spaniel! They are hardcore dynamos that need a very very committed home and masses of exercise.

😱😡

What the...?

It's a terrible idea. The dog needs someone who is consistently there for it not be looked after by 4 different people on a very part-time basis. Trainig a spaniel takes time and commitment.

Please get your dh a gun pig or a robocalls dog but not a puppy.

FFS

Guinea pig or robodog even

@DominoRules yes! He thinks he fits on my lap! He doesn’t!

Hang on a bit (and by a bit, I mean until retirement or you win the lottery and give up your job).

So, you want a puppy? Not a dog? And not just any old puppy but a Springer Spaniel?

For the love of god just don't

OP please don't. You don't sound at all in the position to have a dog least of all a springer spaniel.

Please don’t get a puppy unless you’re 100% committed- it’s extremely hard work. The next 15 years will be hard and very expensive & time consuming. Are you able to commit to this? Sounds like you both work full time so add dog walker fees on top of expensive vets bills. ‘Wanting a puppy’ is inly
the start.

rescue centres are absolutely bursting with dogs (& have a waiting list of dogs ready to go in) where someone has got a dog then realise it’s hard work. Or they don’t have enough time or money or it’s no longer a puppy.

I have my almost 2 yr old springer next to me, asleep (but with one eye open - if I move so will he!). He has only recently in the last few months started to settle in the evenings. Other than that we had pretty much no free time to ourselves. It is like having a toddler.

You have to puppy proof everything. He isn't our first working dog, but even our spaniel owning friends have said he's at the hyper end (one described him as having ADHD! he is non stop).

Going out for dinner as a family (we have two teens) is a birthday treat, because we can't leave him. It's inbuilt in him to be with his owner, to use his skills for what he's been bred for. If he's not physically exercising then it's brain games and enrichment to keep him occupied. We have had to teach him how to calm and settle, otherwise he won't switch off.

So if you're dead set on a springer, make sure you can commit to its needs, or you will have an unhappy dog, and lots of rescues already have unhappy dogs from owners that couldn't cope with their dog's needs.

I would recommend taking a "what breed for me?" quiz to find the dog that fits into your lifestyle. Oh, and no don't do it as a surprise, it's a possible 15 year emotional and physical commitment, not to mention associated vet fees. It needs careful consideration, from everyone.

Guinea pigs aren’t disposable pets either. The decision process should be the same as it is for a puppy. Any potential pet should be thought through in the same way.

As for the OP, quite apart from anything else, it’s February, if you haven’t already found and researched a breeder for an ESS, how do you think you’re going to get a well bred puppy by June?

Why does it have to be a puppy? Why not go to the pound and rescue a dog that's going to be put down?

Spaniels are active intelligent creatures

mine has three walks a day and I’m at home all day!

they need companionship and stimulation

you have to plan for the next 10 yrs plus…also if you can’t take with you when you go out you really shouldn’t leave them longer than a few hours as a one off

maybe a different breed that’s more of a sofa dog…can’t think of one apart from a geriatric dog that wants peace all day long

spaniels need active families who spend a lot of time with them

Also spaniel rescues, that I sponsor, are full of 6 month plus puppies as people can’t cope with the demands of a working breed past the cute 12 week stage

Springers are high energy dogs, they need plenty of exercise and stimulation. It would be really unfair on the dog if you are all out most of the time.

Whatever conversations you have had with your husband, no animal should be given as a surprise gift. It should be a joint family decision. Too many dogs needing to be rehomed due to bad decisions!

Springer Spaniels need a lot of work. What about fostering a dog to see how you get on, or walk a neighbours dog to see if boredom sets in after a week or two.

We are experienced dog owners and I know that we really couldn't give a springer the work and time it needs. They are working dogs and need input.

Don’t, it’s a hopeless situation for any poor puppy. Wrong environment for a spaniel / do you have any idea how much attention, how much education a springer needs? Get your DH a cuddly toy.

Do your DS and DD never intend to work full time?

Not read the whole thread but springer spaniels are a very high energy breed that require a lot of physical and mental stimulation. However they are a fabulous family dog if they have their needs met. I wouldn’t dream of getting a dog for a birthday and then only from a reputable licensed breeder with a contract. So many adolescent spaniels get surrendered to charities once they lose the puppy cute looks and boredom becomes destructive behaviour and busy owners don’t have the time.

Please don't get a puppy.

Are your children going to be available for the next 12-15 years?

You cannot leave a puppy/dog for many hours at a time.
The puppy stage is full on .

As to springers ... you've got to be joking . They need a lot of input.

How much research have you actually done OP?

Do you know that they can't really be left at all in the early weeks/months. They'll need to be taken out to the loo multiple times day and night, will need constant supervision and consistent behaviour from everyone looking after them.

They cant go for walks until their vaccinations have all been given, and even then, can only be walked for 5 mins per month of age once or twice a day, until they are a year old. No more. Otherwise you risk joint damage. So the pup won't be using up all their energy on walks, they'll need to be entertained at home.

Can you really rely on your children to take on that much responsibility? And what if they leave home, or just want to go out with their friends? We've had rescue dogs all my adult life, and now have a puppy as we are both home all the time - it's been really hard work to do it well. Think long and hard before you take what seems a rash decision at this point.

2 of those people are likely to move on at some point.....what is your 14 to 15 year work and life plan? Springers are amazing dogs but full of energy and love company do you have the commitment to do an hour's walk all the weather before and after work? They don't like being on their own so who's there when the kids leave home. My springer cost £250 in insurance towards the end his meds were just under £300. His food bill etc. £100 a month. They are not easy to lead train pulling is an issue you have to be really committed and all on the same page off lead walks are better but only if you have suitable areas near you. Mine could pull me up Snowden and still be running around 5 hours later. If we had a family event we had to either take him or have someone in every 3 to 4 hours max.
A dog is a family member and a bigger commitment than a child.

It does not really sound as though you have time to care for a puppy. It would need a lot if attention, companionship and training and also a lot if exercise. Springer Spaniels have boundless energy.

animals don’t make good surprise birthday presents, if you absolutely insist, I’d suggest sea monkeys.

please don’t buy a working bred dog when you both work full time and don’t appear to have much knowledge on the subject, that’s a really terrible idea.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT GET A PUPPY.

DO NOT GET A SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPY

I AM REALLY BEGGING YOU.