Border Collie or Springer Spaniel?

[WoodRose]

Hoping for some views from dog loving mners. We are looking to get another dog and can't decide between a border collie or a springer (yes, we prefer nutters!)

We currently have a 12 year old border collie and lost our other border collie in June, aged 14.5. We subsequently adopted a failed working Springer who collapsed and died suddenly 2 months later. Our male collie is missing a canine companion and I would like to get another young dog before he is too feeble to cope.

I am a SAHM with 2 dog savvy DC (8 & 6). We live in London, but are surrounded by loads of green parkland and woods. DH walks our dog before he goes to work (30 mins off-lead) and I walk him again in the afternoon (1hr -1.5hr). I like to run, so would also take any new dog running with me when it is old enough. We have a well-regarded trainer locally who has experience of border collies. I could attend his weekly class indefinately.

My heart tells me collie (show lines, not worky) but I know how much work they take to train. I got my collies before children, so my life was able to revolve around their training. I am concerned that I would not be able to give them what they need.

We are also thinking about another Springer. We prefer the look of a working Springer (facile, I know!)but wonder whether you can ever trust their recall or are they governed by their nose! Our poor Springer followed me like a shadow in the house, but never really focused on me outside. He was much more interested in following scent under bushes - the pricklier the better!

So, in a nutshell, which is the better family pet - a show type collie or a working springer?

Nope, doesn't cause him any discomfort at all, as far as the vet and I can see, and his teeth are sparkly! I was very worried initially, obv [PFpuppy emoticon] and went mad looking into all sorts of dog dental surgery, but his jaw/teeth have sort of adjusted round it. His lower teeth don't cut into his upper jaw, and he's just a bit more dribbly when he drinks. He is, though I say it myself, a Fine Figure of a Dog.

BUT, I think it can be a problem - we were always going to have this particular puppy, for various reasons, but if you're still exploring your options, it might be a more significant factor. Am sure one of the MN dog experts will have a more definitive answer...

I've had a working springer and now have a show springer.
The working springer (actually he was crossed with a cocker) was much more energetic. Totally barmy at home and out, endless amounts of energy but so eager to please. Sadly, he died at 7 months old.

I now have my almost 5 month old show type springer. He is a lot calmer in comparison, but can still run and run and run and run without getting too tired. He does usually crash out on the floor for a few minutes if he has been running for a while, but he usually gets up and goes for more running.

The show type are bigger and have longer ears, but they are so much calmer! Thats my experience anyway lol

Good luck with your decision, its not easy to chose a dog. I'd love to have more than just the one, but being realistic, it can't be done.

I'm in London too, wonder if we are anywhere near eachother!

Kid - I have been reading through the puppy thread and following your progress with Teddy. He seems SO energetic that I assumed he must be a working Springer!

We have decided that we will get a border collie puppy and then a springer when my lovely old boy makes his way to Rainbow Bridge. Hopefully, my lovely dog will be with us for a couple more years by which time the new collie will be able to help whip a springer pup into shape. Female collies are sooooo bossy. Who knows she may be able to do something with my children

We are in Norf London quite close to the big Palace on the hill!

I'm near the Gherkin.

teddy started off very calm, then we fed him a not so good complete food and he went quite loopy.
I have changed his food and he now only has randon moments of madness. He was definitely reacting in a bad way to the food

He is getting a lot more runs in the park now, while I stand and watch him. I should try and run with him, that would be a laugh!

My springer had to stay on lead (very dodgy recall, strong hunt instinct and a loathing of anything small and terrier-like) so I tried to run with him. I don't know which gave out first - my lungs, my legs or my arms I used to run with my collies when they (and I!) were younger. I was very fit and 2 stone lighter, so hoping a new collie will work wonders on my body if not on my nerves. I have started taking DS(8) out for runs to train him up for exercising the dog.

Glad to hear that Teddy's loopiness has subsided. Sounds like the change of food has been money well spent!

I have a DS who is 8 too.

I can't run with teddy, he is very naughty on the lead (but we are working on it) and I am very unfit!

The little rat nearly ran off today in the park. DS was playing football and teddy decided he wanted to go and play too. We were quite far away, on the other side of the park, and he just focussed on the ball and was gone. I did manage to get him back at the last minute. Maybe he thought it really wasn't worth the trouble he was about to get in to? It certainly made me panic briefly!

We have 3 collies who are fantastic. The elder 2 don't particularly like children, so we have to keep an eye on goings on. The new'ish pup is far better at being manhandled, coming from a family with lots of dogs and babies. The pup loves chasing pheasants and escapes at any opportunity. It's maddening. Otherwise his training is coming on. Collies are fantastic. Our eldest is probably from show stock, the middle one is from a puppy farm we think, and the youngest is from a working line. All the dogs are broadly similar, and none of them are 'mad collies'. A really good training class in North London is here

Silentcatastrophe - Funnily enough, that is the class where we were taking our Springer. He really enjoyed his classes (as did I!) so we will definately be returning with our new dog.

We used to go when they were up in Southgate from about late 2000 to 2003. We really enjoyed going too. I take the new dog to classes locally in Norfolk and the classes are great. There aren't nearly as many 'nut dogs' as there were at John's, or perhaps it's just that the new dog isn't a total nutter! Boris, the middle dog, was hauled up by John as a reason that people shouldn't get dogs as they end up like him, in a serious phsycological mess, unable to concentrate and completely unbalanced, in a rescue home and likely to be put down.

He's still with us, nearly 10 years on, and a really super dog most of the time! Big thank you to John Hip hip hooray!