Springer spaniel pups - yes or no?

[BeaWheesht]

Theyre from a farm, theyre only 10 days old just now but would obviously want to see them and mum before purchase.

Is this a really bad idea?

Not a puppy farm? Working stock? How much do you know about the breed?

No, no not a puppy farm, would never do that.

Ive had a Springer as a teenager, I know they can be wild and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation etc.

Why do you think it might be a bad idea?

By the way this is following on from my earlier thread re king charles spaniels. I have actually always wanted another Springer but wasnt sure and have been looking around over various options.

Im just stating this so people dont think Im jumping from one dog to the next, we are considering everything very seriously, I would never take a dog we werent fully prepared to have for life, come what may.

Have you had a dog before? Springers are hard hard work, and need a lot of time so not a great choice if you don't have time or experience. Maybe a cocker or cavalier would be better.

Avocadoandfitch I guess because everyone on my other thread is talking about approved breeders and how good breeders dont need to advertise etc.

On the other hand Im not especially keen on a pedigree because of interbreeding and initial cost outlay.

The only cockers we have seen are extremely expensive to buy. Ive never had a cocker, only a springer.

Sorry crossed posts. Cavaliers are great too, I have 2 and they are very energetic without being mad

I've had a springer/cocker cross from working stock who was a bit of a loon. A very loving loon but endless amounts of energy. His parents were never screened and his 'breeder' wasn't interested in who he went to.
He also died very young

I now have a show type springer spaniel who is literally perfect, we couldn't have wished for a better dog.

You do need to check if the parents have been health screened for the common issues in this breed.

My pups parents were hip scored (well dad was) and their eyes were checked for numerous conditions.

I think you need to take every breeder as they come and assess them on individual merits.

I know of well renowned breeders that I would never have a puppy off and home breeders that are no expense spared and do everything 'right'. And visa versa.

Ask lots of questions, don't assume anything. Ask to see the 5 generation cert, cross check names on both sides a grand parent and one side may also be a great grand parent on the other side.

Go back more than once before leaving a deposit. If anything feels off or not 100% right then don't do

We have a springer spaniel and got ours about this time last year.

She is working stock with a champion lines.

She has also been hard work, has lots and lots of energy, made me mad with frustration and almost close to tears, she is a mud magnet and chases anything that moves (including leaves)

She is also however a complete joy. She has made our family get out and explore, we have discovered woods and walks that we wouldn't have found before.

Her temperament with the kids is great and she is now at a year becoming a loyal companion.

Get one!

I have just looked at your other post. You just found like you are trying hard to make the right decision. Lucky dog that ends up with an owner like you! Agree with avocado. Great advice there.

Awh thanks Wolfie, I was worried I was coming across like I just wanted a dog, any dog!

Check the parents have had their hips scored and parents and pups should go to doggy eye doctor to have their eyes checked. Ask about temperament and spend some time with the Mum and Dad. Our pup came with a health guarantee too which gives you a level of protection against any issues that may come up. We have a bench-bred (from show lines) Springer pup, the field lines are a bit more work and will require more mental stimulation than the ones that are bred for show/companions.

Our girl is 14 weeks (picture on profile) and we are madly in love with her. She is a busy bee but very, very sweet and smart as a whip. She has now learned to sit, "leave it" and lie down and can sit politely at the front door before I open it. We're working on recall and she seems to have no problem with that (Springers will do pretty much anything for food rewards!) .

We have a springer spaniel pup, she is eight months old and from from working stock. We live on a farm and she goes to work with my DP every day on the tractor and round the fields and she has so much energy it's incredible!

Choosing her was the best decision we ever made but I underestimated how much exercise springers need, considering she is active all day, every day and often comes for a 5 mile run with us over the farm tracks, she still often has energy for more!

So the point I'm trying to make is that they need a hell of a lot of exercise and if we have a quiet day at home on the weekend she is bouncing off the walls by the end of the day, and we have a big garden with plenty of space for her to play by herself too.

My only advice would be make sure you have somewhere good for a springer to have a really good run about (field, woods etc) and make sure you have enough time.

Same goes with any dog but I think especially as sprinters are known for their energy

I'd assume a pup from a farm is genetically a working dog so would need loads and loads of exercise.

We have a five month old cocker who goes for a morning run with my dh for half an hour and has an hours walk in the evening. And she sometimes comes on the two school runs a day- and could do more if allowed!

We took here out yesterday to a country park for four hours walking, running, picnic etc and she had to go for another walk test evening.

Lots of energy and time required! And she's not what I would call a proper cocker breed, her father was a member if the dog lovers club but not kc reg or anything, only £300 to buy, from a gorgeous family home, gorgeous mum and dad etc, so my point is you don't always have to get the pure bred breeds to get a cracking dog.