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Are springer spaniels good with kids or too boisterous and jumpy?

15 replies

sidsgranny · 08/09/2013 17:50

That's it really. DS has been very scared of dogs for a couple of years and has been having some professional help to try and overcome it. We are now at a stage where he says he wants a puppy and we have the opportunity to go and see some springer spaniel puppies. I'd always thought that if we did it we'd go for a Labrador as I'm concerned that spaniels are quite boisterous. Any experience/views would be welcome!

OP posts:
kitsmummy · 08/09/2013 18:03

A cocker spaniel would be smaller and less manic (show cocker, not a working cocker) and might be a better match for a scared DS.

Or a rescue that has been in a fost home for a while, that way you would really know what you're getting.

I think springers are lovely though

tabulahrasa · 08/09/2013 18:08

Um, there's not much difference in boisterousness between a springer and a lab...they're both fairly bouncy.

CwtchesAndCuddles · 08/09/2013 18:11

I love springers and my aunt has always had a few of them but I wouldn't advise getting one in your circumstances as they are very lively!

I would go for a calmer breed and maybe.

LadyTurmoil · 08/09/2013 18:15

If you son has been so scared that he needed professional help, then I would say that a puppy is the LAST thing you should be thinking about!

Look at other threads on here about puppies - they chase, bite, have needle sharp teeth, jump up constantly and scratch with the claws, make holes in trousers/clothes - even children who aren't already scared can find them really, really scary or just plain annoying, which doesn't really sound like something your son would appreciate.

I would look at older dogs from a rescue, which has been in a foster home already so you can find out its temperament/character re. children/dogs/cats etc. It's more of a "known" than a puppy and potentially less scary for your DS.

If you do still want a puppy, then don't discount a rescue either. They often have puppies from unwanted litters, people who've got them and then regretted it - a million reasons. Just look at www.heathlands.org.uk and www.manytearsrescue.org/dogslookingforhomes.php Tons of puppies and other gorgeous dogs

BinarySolo · 08/09/2013 18:15

Agree that there's not much difference between bounciness of springers and labs. I have 2 springers and they're great withy kids and really gentle. I also grew up with a springer which we got when I was 5 and she was the softest kindest dog ever.

There are 2 sayings about springers that I've found to be true tho:

  1. You can't wear them out, you just make them fitter.
  2. Labs are born half trained, springers die half trained.

They are the funnest, most loving and loyal companions you could ever wish for tho.

LadyTurmoil · 08/09/2013 18:48

For example, Hanky Panky or Carry

TotallyBursar · 08/09/2013 18:48

A dog's breed will put certain things in the bag and it's own individual personality will add yet further. But that is like a travelling bag of potential and to a greater extent what makes the dog is you.

Some Springers can be frenetic and scatty - channelled properly you get a quick, busy dog that works all day; homed inappropriately you get a dog that is neurotic or destructive.
Labs are great dogs but they are also boisterous.
Cockers are jaunty and meant to be busy - show cockers are still cockers, although less frenetic they are equally prone to quickly amusing themselves with destructive behaviours. It's all about you.

It sounds like you and your DS have worked so hard to overcome his fear. If you get a puppy he will be bitten, chased - can he cope with that? Many children without his previous fear have become scared or wary of puppies that do this. Of course the first thing you do is start training but in the meantime is this an appropriate situation for him? (not snarky, literally just asking).
Puppies are also hard work, like reverting back to having a new baby, they are not easy blank slates.

My personal opinion, that you haven't asked for, is the perfect dog for your family is going to be a schoolmaster/mistress - these dogs are older, usually out of their teen months althought you can get very steady puppies. I would really recommend looking to rescue. If you have a breed in mind there are myriad breed rescues nationwide who will work exceptionally hard to match you up with the correct dog. Breeders may also have older dogs - pups that have been run on to assess their potential but are not suitable for showing or breeding - not problem dogs.

Otherwise I would think hard about your needs as a family and your circumstances - show strains of gundogs may have been calmed slightly but many people work and show together, they're still dogs made to be out in a field all day. We are back from a show today, last weekend they were all out competing as gundogs. Speak to a few breeders, they should know each pupies personality like the back of their hand so be prepared for them to say the one you fell in love with when you laid eyes on it is not the best for your needs. Also be prepared for a good breeder to have concerns about selling a puppy to you - we would have to meet you both and think long and hard but, being brutally honest, from a starting point of no.

TotallyBursar · 08/09/2013 18:50

*puppy's personality not pupies.

HoneyDragon · 08/09/2013 18:54

I've had Labs always. All lab puppy's are bouncy. My last Lab was so laid back she was horizontal and helped many a small person overcome a fear of dogs.

My current lab is like a whirling dervish of hyper on crack cocaine that has ingested a sack of sugar and just met Santa Claus holding a bag of Bonios.

A older rescue dog is a much safer bet if you want to guarantee how they'll be.

ivegotaniphone · 08/09/2013 18:55

Before you buy a cute 8 weekd old puppy I would advise you son spends some time with one that's about 5 months plus, as then they are like toddlers on a bad day and a lot less lovable. If your son has had such difficulties with dogs he may find that stage hard going. A nice gentle older escue might be mcuh more suitable? And if you get a cocker make sure it is a show type and not worker, working ones will run rings round an inexperienced dog owner! (am a fellow spaniel owner ;-) )

LadyTurmoil · 08/09/2013 22:12

My current lab is like a whirling dervish of hyper on crack cocaine that has ingested a sack of sugar and just met Santa Claus holding a bag of Bonios. LOL Grin

HoneyDragon · 08/09/2013 23:03

Tbf she is settled now. On account she's gone to sleep next to me.

tooearlytobeup · 08/09/2013 23:34

I've just typed out a huge post and lost it!

I have experience, we got a 10 week old Springer pup when my kids were 11, 9 and 3. The 3 year old had been very dog phobic before this and was only at that point recently comfortable with being in the same room with a dog.

Ours has always been amazing with kids. Even from the very beginning. He is 2 now and yes he's bouncy but definitely no more so than a lab of the same age, generally better tbh. He runs around like a mad thing on walks, but in the house he sleeps or plods around after us. He is very very gentle and always has been. My DD and he are best friends and I honestly think getting him was the best thing we have ever done for her. She is now totally confident around all dogs.

I could keep praising him forever, so will shut up now, but if you want to know anything else just ask Grin

BinarySolo · 08/09/2013 23:38

Don't forget there are show type springers too which are supposed to be more laid back.

Mine are both working springers. One I had at 8 weeks and the other was 18 months. The 18 month old was considerably calmer and easier to manage. I loved the puppy dearly, but there were seriously days that I could have given her away due to her nipping and general hyperactivity.

If you're an active family and can give plenty of exercise then go for it but a bored, under exercised springer is a destructive hurricane of a dog!

Mine are loons when they're being walked but lovely and calm at home. They're 4 and 9 and the 4 year old still fats mistaken for a puppy.

MrTumblesBavarianFanbase · 09/09/2013 08:49

We have just got a 2 year old cocker spaniel mix rescue dog (she looks quite a lot like a cocker spaniel but clearly isn't 100%) from a foster home where she lived with children. She is absolutely great with kids, even/ especially our 2 year old, but not without issues (barking and being afraid of men including DH - but she's very new to us, she only came home on Thursday).

An adult rescue does sound worth considering. My kids wanted a puppy too (DD has wanted one for years and years) but the right adult dog (despite the issues mentioned) is undoubtedly easier to introduce into the mix of family life than a puppy, and calmer.

Puppies have a tendency to mouth things and have sharp teeth - could well set your son back a long way if he gets chewed on!!!!

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