Newbie to dog ownership, not got a dog yet but could do with some advise!

[Whenthetoadcamehome]

Ok, bit of background. Family of 4, 2 kids seven yr old and two year old. I'm a hausfrau, so lots of time to walk dog and plenty of company. We have nearly an acre, so lots of space. we have chickens. we ideally would like a springer or speller spaniel, B&W as I have recently fallen in love with a local one!

So, What do I need to know?

How do I find a decent breeder close to me, do I NEED to get the dog from a breeder, what advantages does it have over rescue dogs or local paper ads?

How do I best handle settling him/her in, ESP with chickens who free range?

Are Dogs or bitches preferable and why?

Am I best waiting a year til 2 yr old is older or will I be able to handle them both now?

When we go pup visiting what behaviour do I look for that let's me know which dogs a keeper and what are the warnings of an unsuitable pup?

I've had a look though the thread but it's be great to have something solid to talk to DH about when we make our decision!

thank you if you manage tp reply, I want to do this right so the dog has a happy forever home!

Sorry, that should be springer or sprocker!

I think your best bet is to speak to the breed club (for springers). Why did you choose that breed? I do not know much about them except i think they are high energy?

As far as I am aware sprokers are bred by two sorts of people- people who work their dogs and have a purpose in mind- they need a dog with a high drive and desire to work, and those idiot back yard breeders who are sticking any two dogs together to give it a designer name and sell for £££. So personally I would stick with a springer- if through your research you decide that it is the dog for you.

With regard to the chickens. I guess it would be a bit like cats, in that you need to start early, and keep pup on lead so she never gets the chance to chase (and realise what good fun it is!) Praise pup when she ignores the chooks and distract her if she focuses on them... but that is just my experience from introducing an adult lab who had never lived with cats before to a cat. Took about 6 weeks before i could leave them in the same room and not worry that the dog would try and chase.

Dog vs bitches are personal choice I think. Just be aware with bitches that the come into season twice per year for approx 4 weeks when you shouldn't walk her/ walk her only on lead in non doggy areas. You should wait until after her first season before having her spayed.

With regards to a good breeder, not sure what health tests need to be done for springers- look up the breed club, they will be happy to advise you and point you in the direction of good breeders. A breeder who asks more questions than you ask them, and doesn't just want to make a sale is a good start. Ideally someone who works or shows their dog who is breeding for a purpose- not because fido is "pretty" or "would make a lovely mum" or ££££.

I would steer well clear of a Springer, but that's just me. They are so high energy. Mind you, you have a big plot so it would probably be fine for you. My friend has one and it is never still. And I mean never still. You cannot even stroke it! She adores it but it is too frantic for my liking. What kind of things do you want to do with your dog? Long walks, lap dog, working dog? I would absolutely go through a reputable breeder. My faves are labs and golden retrievers as we had then when I was a child. You can do a lot of research online. Also, just my opinion, I would not bring a Springer into a family with a child as young as two. Other breeds yes but not a springer, waaay too bouncy!

Spaniels are bird dogs and most have a strong prey drive, so you would have your work cut out training one to ignore free range chickens.

I would steer clear of a springer type too as they are a bit hectic to say the least !

What area are you ?

That's interesting to know outmonday as the one i have fallen for and which inspired my choice lives with a flock of chickens and ducks and totally ignores them so I had assumed it wasn't an issue if you got them young and trained them well.

Crossed wires, I'm looking for a dog I can have decent walks with, which will be trainable to be very obedient and gentle with the kids, a decent guard dog, which will live outside if it wants during summer and share the fire with us in the winter. I don't want a huge dog, mainly because of the kids so something small to medium sized, but not too small, not overly keen on terriers.

I do love Labs but absolutely everyone we know owns a black lab and I'd like something a little different. Plus, as I said, I have met a very sweet, affectionate and calm springer (poss cocker mix) and just fell hook line and sinker....perhaps I should ask the owners for him, he seems to be alone a lot!! :o

Oh woman, am in Yorkshire!

I have a Springer. He is the most amazing dog ever, and me and the kids (4, 9 and 12) adore him. Ours particularly loves toddlers as he's worked out they drop food a lot and are at the right height to lick easily

We got him when my youngest was 3, and the only downside was that long walks were awkward. She would get tired if walking, but we had got past the pushchair stage. now she is older and can use a bike or scooter it's fine again.
She seems to view him as an extra sibling, and they play together a lot or cuddle on the sofa watching Fireman Sam.

If you are worried about handling a puppy and two year old, would a slightly older dog be an option? The puppy stage can be hard work! Mine is nearly a year old now, and much easier.

We didn't look for breeders, so I can't advise on that. We had him at 10 weeks old from a rescue. We got him from Many Tears, and I have seen quite a few Springers there. I also spoke with CAESSR (Cocker and English Springer Spaniel Rescue) and they gave me some great advice.

I haven't tried mine with chickens, but he lives with a guinea pig and rabbit, the rabbit is not totally free range, but they do spend some time free together in the garden. We started off by praising and treating the pup whenever he ignored the rabbit and focused on us instead, At first this was with him on a lead or the rabbit in the hutch. now he will totally ignore her hopping around if we are there with them, but I have never left them unsupervised. I dont think he sees her as food, but I would be worried he would try to play and hurt her.

I have no idea how to go about choosing the best pup from a litter. I chose which pup I wanted just by the fact he was the last in the litter without a home lined up. He turned out to be wonderful, lovely natured, extremely friendly and very loyal

Shame you are oop north, I know of a very good doodle litter coming up shortly would be ideal for you !

Oh I've just seen the other posts! I don't recognise my dog in the descriptions others have given!

Mine is bouncy yes, in a desperate to meet everyone way, but is very calm at home. He can be trusted 100% with kids, he adores them and when he meets a new one lays on the floor to have his tummy rubbed. He is very gentle, and has on the odd occasion he has had paws stepped on, been tripped over etc, not reacted at all.

He is great to walk with, will keep going forever, but is also happy with shorter walks as long as he gets to have a good game of fetch, so it is definately managable

He would make an awful guard dog though, I have never heard him growl and he likes to lick strangers.
He would also hate to sleep outdoors, he likes to be as close to us as possible.

He has been very easy to train, and is very obedient (well most of the time lol

Also, I really don't think having a single dog living outside is fair. Why would you want to do this?

Dogs are social creatures and they need to be with their family. Breeders who keep dogs in kennels would never think to leave one alone, they are always in pairs or trios for company. At least the ones i know wouldn't, and I certainly wouldn't. Plus there is also the risk of theft if dog is unattended in the garden.

Don't know principality, which is why I'm here, to learn about all I need to so we can give whichever dog we get the very best life we can. Actually I have considered getting two, to keep each other company...am I mad even thinking about it? Is it like with kids, where two is somehow more than twice the work?

Too early, your dog sounds gorgeous.

i live next door to a springer and she has never been especially friendly/interested in my dcs also there are another two that live down the road one chased and caught a hen from the local free range flock - farmer insisted dog was muzzled and owner had to pay for chicken

just my experience of the breed

i have a chocloate lab and can't recommend them enough - really really great with dcs and so easy to look after

i would advise read read read all you can about whatever breed/type of dog you are after and don't rush into anything imo when your youngest goes to school would be the best time to get a dog

NOOO!!! Don't get two at once for company!! Terrible idea I am afraid. A puppy is bloody hard work and needs your attention. Two puppies together need three times as much training and time than a single puppy- training alone x2 plus training them together. A good breeder would not let you take two at the same time. I know of a mum at the school who did this- the dogs, now age 5 are lovely dogs but they were a nightmare as puppies, they took a very long time to house train, and they didn't really listen to her as they were so busy playing together.

FWIW, I also have labs, same as the PP and I cannot reccommmend them enough. BUT make sure you go to a good breeder- there are soooo many labs being bred- about 90% from people I wouldn't buy from!! Definitely speak to the Breed clubs who will have a puppy list from club members who will all have health tested their stock, and usually show or work their dogs too.

i would certainly consider a labrador or golden retriever. I am going for that breed too

We have a golden retriever 4 month old puppy. She is wonderful, really easy to train, always eager to please and fantastic with the kids. I was expecting the puppy phase to be much harder, but so far she has been brilliant

BTW, lab puppies are usually VERY hard work at first- tehy are bitey little buggars, and it really can hurt and they are big chewers! But it is all worth it. Just in case you had visions of adorable andrex puppies who are just cute without any normal puppy behavior

Well we have both springers and a choc lab. I can honestly say that they are both great breeds.

Our lab is now 10 but I remember as a pup he was a big chewer, he actually chewed the plaster off the wall in the dining room . He has become what I can only describe as a local icon. Adults and kids alike will call him, pat and hug him and give him treats when they see him. He has grown into one of the best dogs we have ever had .

Our springers are younger 18 months and 7 months. The older of the two springers is the most laid back dog we have ever had. Pupster is a little bit more full-on.

I can honestly say that we have had people ask us if we have given something to our dogs as they are so well behaved and calm for springers.

I would not hesitate to recommend either of these breeds Pics on profile

ours has his won fan club locally too puddin - people i don't even know know his name

own

We got our lovely dog from the Leeds Dogs Trust. Couldn't have a better dog with a child. You could find your ideal dog somewhere like that and not have to worry about finding the right breeder.

Out2lunch, I know it's amazing. I can be walking over the field locally and all of sudden someone calls his name and off he goes. When I get there he is sat with his big head against someone having loads of fuss. I apologies and they say oh don't worry we love DDog1, I'm left and as I haven't the foggiest who they are.