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Springer spaniel-I've been asked to take on

40 replies

spacedog · 18/11/2009 10:34

I've been asked to take in a Springer Spaniel pup, sadly unwanted by owner who can't cope with the walks. Is a nice friendly dog. Trouble is I've had a few dogs, inc a spaniel over the years but never a Springer. My kids are all school age but I work part time. My concern is I always thought these dogs were a bit like Border collies i.e. need constant company, stuff to do and plenty of runs, and she won't cope with being in the house alone. Anyone had one, can you advise? If I take on this dog it will be for life (as with my other pets) so I need to know what to expect. Thanks

OP posts:
nooka · 20/11/2009 05:45

We had a Springer growing up (and then a Border Collie) my mother said she nearly gave him away several times when he was a puppy because he was so difficult, but he grew into a fabulous family dog. I don't remember him being very demanding, but he died when I was 11 or so, and I guess the Collie would have been similar, so I probably just think dogs should be mad (the rescue dog my mother had after that was really rather boring in comparison).

sheepliessleep, in Canada where I now live, the SPCA (RSPCA equivalent) recommend that you keep your cats in, and actually suggest building them runs. This is because they are convinced that if let out they will be killed by bears/coyotes/eagles. We've yet to meet anyone whose cat has been eaten - or seen any of the above anywhere near our part of town, so our cats live an inside/outside life.

We've just adopted a American Water Spaniel cross (he idea with what though!). dh (who is looking after him as he is a SAHD) says it's like having a baby again. He looks exhausted!

howdidthishappenthen · 20/11/2009 07:07

I've only known one springer - the one we had when I was around 12. He was a lovely lovely dog, gentle, funny, loving, mischevious. For two years he also ate every single thing in the house (large furniture items included), pulled like a bastard on walks, and never came back when called. And yes, he went to dog training classes every week of his life, did two months in doggy boot camp, and got 5 mile off-the-lead walks daily. And we've always had dogs, so no lack of experience in the house. Eventually rehomed him to the gamekeeper of a large country estate when he was 2. These dogs are very very bright and very very mad and very very athletic. I wouldn't volunteer for the task, no matter how much I love them - but if you're ready for it, I'm sure he'll more than repay you.

ABetaDad · 20/11/2009 07:12

Springers need huge amounts of walks and lots for that excitable inquiring brain to do.

Parents used to breed them and they are lovely dogs but not dogs that take well to being left alone bored in a house.

ABetaDad · 20/11/2009 07:14

Oh the other thing is they have a special naural oil in their coats that smells. Your house will smell of dogs unless kept in an outhouse.

Drusilla · 20/11/2009 07:26

You'll never need another pair of slippers, as everytime you stand or sit still for more than 30 secs you'll have a dog lying on your feet Our old one died earlier this year and we have a new 12 week old one now They are wonderful dogs if they get the exercise and something to do with their brains. Also great with kids if trained properly, I have a lovely video of my then 2 yr old in the old dogs bed "reading" a story to him while the dog has had head in DSs lap.

spacedog · 20/11/2009 07:31

Thanks all. She's coming on Saturday. We have moved the 'good' furniture to a room which will be shut off. It's wood floors everywhere so not bothered about hairs. ABetaDad the smell of dog will be a nice antidote to Ds' aftershave .
My dad fortunately lives round the corner and has offered to take her to the pub keep her company on the days I work.

OP posts:
MmeLindt · 20/11/2009 07:45

Lol at never need a pair of slippers. That brought back great memories of sitting on my my parent's couch, cup of hot choc in my hands and dog on my feet. Lovely memories.

We had to leave our dog alone, my mum worked so she was alone during the day. I walked her around the block at lunchtime and mum got home at about 3pm iirc.

Keep the DC's door locked. I can vividly remember coming home to find the dog had massacred my soft toy dog, Sally. Mum collected the stuffing and bits and made a new Sally for me, bless her.

You knew when the dog had misbehaved, she cowered in her bed instead of bounding up to greet us when we came in the door.

walkthedinosaur · 20/11/2009 07:46

I lost my lovely old springer two weeks ago she was 16 and only really slowed down from April this year. In fact when we went for a walk with her the week she died DS1 said do you remember when she used to run around all the time and we would lose her? This was when she was walking next to me, head down really not enjoying her walk at all, that's when I knew she was tired of life. She lived for her walks.

She was the fabbest of fab dogs and I miss her completely, I didn't realise how much I used to natter to her all the time. I work from home and DH works away so she was my company on an evening. It feels really strange not to be tripping over her whenever I walk around the house.

We used to walk her for miles and when she was younger we worked in London for 10 hours a day so she had a dog walker come in a couple of times a day, but she never objected to being left at home. She was completely crazy out of doors would run like a mad thing for miles, if we walked 10 miles she'd easily do 20. Obsessed with water, for years our house has smelled of dirty old ditches for years and like others have said completely food obsessed. She once broke into the pantry and ate one of the huge bags of Eukanuba and the sack of Iams cat food next to it, her belly was scraping off the ground when we got home. One of the other stories on here brought back memories too, she once had to be rescued out of a tree by the fire brigade because she'd chased a cat up there, not kidding she must have been 10 feet high and stuck on a branch.

You'll have tumbleweeds of dog hair floating through your house and if you sit on the floor she will push all stray toddlers off your knee because that's her place.

Oh dear I've made myself cry with all these memories, enjoy your springer because one day you'll have as many happy memories as we have and I wouldn't be without those for a minute.

On a positive side, I am enjoying not having to wipe dog snot off the French windows and being able to take a bin bag out of the bin and it not be raided!

BellaBonJovi · 20/11/2009 09:10

What lovely memories, walkthedinosaur

Congats, spacedog

BellaBonJovi · 20/11/2009 09:10

What lovely memories, walkthedinosaur

Congrats, spacedog

BellaBonJovi · 20/11/2009 09:11

Not sure how I managed to x post with myself

MitchyInge · 20/11/2009 09:18

walkthedinosaur! thank you for letting me know am not alone in springer-in-tree humiliation

eyes prickled a lot reading your post, want my dog to live forever just as he is now

bedlambeast · 20/11/2009 10:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MmeLindt · 20/11/2009 10:57

Walkthedinosaur
Your post made me laugh and cry at the same time. You could have been describing out springer, except I don't think she ever got stuck up a tree.

I still miss her and she died 17 years ago. She was the best friend of my childhood.

LuckySalem · 20/11/2009 23:12

Im' sorry to have not read the thread properly

Our pup is a collie X Springer and she's NUTS!! I read that you are going to take him on and then got excited that you were taking him on and skipped! (sorry)

Tizzy (ours) needs 3 walks a day (off lead for 1/2 hr) constant training and something to do during the day (kongs normally do it though)

HOWEVER, she's ace with kids, dogs and cats and ME so she aint going no where!! Good luck!

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