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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Springer spaniel?

19 replies

Trylavenderorsagee · 16/07/2015 10:54

What are they like? How do they compare to working cockers?

They are such beautiful dogs and I would love to have one in my life one day. I work from home and live near countryside so walks and time together won't be an issue.

Are they less excitable than cockers?

and what about sprockers?.... I know probably not recommended as not pedigree

OP posts:

TropicalHorse · 16/07/2015 11:12

I have a Welsh Springer who is the dog love of my life! Much quieter (more timid? Though that could be upbringing) than an English Springer. I've never had a coated breed before and I'm surprised how low-maintenance his beautiful feathers are. He's wonderfully gentle but playful with my 2yo DD despite only being a little older than that himself.

TheoriginalLEM · 16/07/2015 11:19

They are called springers for a reason. they are on the list of dogs id said id never own. however having met loads id love one. great personalities. i can't have one as i don't have time.

you sound like you have the right set up.

basildonbond · 16/07/2015 11:48

Ha ha ha at the thought of a non-excitable springer . I think my sister's actually has springs underneath her paws ...

She's a lovely dog but has taken years to calm down (she's now 6). She found it v difficult to concentrate on anything for long when she was a puppy so wasn't particularly easy to train. She's very sweet and loving though

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 16/07/2015 11:51

OP-Why do you say non-pedigrees are not recommended?

horseygeorgie · 16/07/2015 11:55

I have one. He's 2 now and I have known him since he was a day old. I've never had one before but would now never have anything else, I utterly adore him!

He needs a lot of exercise (think a minimum of 2 hours a day outside) but indoors is the quietest dog ever. Loves lazing in front of the fire on a winters evening after a good run.

The hair needs constant brushing/detangling/chopping out the various bits of hedge that get stuck in it. He is brilliant with children, and as much as I would ever trust a dog, I trust him.

My friend has free range chickens on out stable yard, Tolly met them for the first time yesterday. After following one around for a few mins he then cornered it (very gently, no distressed hens!)........

And gave it his tennis ball to throw! Sums him up really!

horseygeorgie · 16/07/2015 11:56

oh, I've met some lovely sprokers as well. Ignore the non pedigree thing.

horseygeorgie · 16/07/2015 11:58

Gratuitous Spanner pic!

TheoriginalLEM · 16/07/2015 12:06

the only issue i have with sprockets and such like is back yard breeders selling them for ££££s.

i paid £250 for a heinz 57 though. hes a fab little dog.

imabusybee · 16/07/2015 16:44

You can get calm springers if you source your breeder right but they are few and far between. I know dozens of batty ones & 1 steady, calm lad who is worked so his owners were careful where they got him. If you'd consider a rescue there are plenty of breed rescues around

tabulahrasa · 16/07/2015 16:49

The main difference I find between cockers and springers is the size really...lol.

Sprockers, well you should avoid most of the dodgier cross breeders as they're often bred for working (rather than just because) but then sometimes working breeders can tend to be a bit old fashioned about health tests, not all of course, but some still see it as a bit of a waste of time and don't do them.

Snugglepiggy · 16/07/2015 21:41

We have two working English sprinters.Littermates,brother and sister,and having had Labradors,a collie and various cross breeds over the years I am sold on the breed.Will be our dog of choice now as long as we are fit and able.
At eighteen months old they are calm in the house,great with each other and all the family and after going to training ,and the odd 'teenage' moment a delight to walk.Just seeing their enthusiasm and joy of life lifts my spirits daily.Yes they are energetic on walks,and love variety and company.But your set up sounds ideal.They are definitely not a breed to get if you work long hours ,or aren't prepared to go on varied walks.But it's a bit of a fallacy that they needs miles and miles of walks every day. Mine are just as thrilled with a session with the ball thrower or a game of hunt the green beans in the garden.They are bright ,sociable,funny and extremely loving.As you can tell I'm smitten!
We were lucky with our breeder.Their mum had a lovely temperament,and the breeder did a fantastic job,even playing a CD in the background of noises ,sirens ,fireworks etc to make sure they were calm steady dogs.Being working springers and close coated they don't even need trips to groomers.Just their ears combing through for twigs and sticky buds at certain times.Go for it and good luck !ps.We know a few springerpoos,cockerpoos,and other poo types that have cost more money (that wasn't the main issue)but we just wanted the original and best -to our minds.No offence meant!

horseygeorgie · 16/07/2015 21:45

other 'poo' types!

I love mine. would second the fact they are actually a lot calmer than people think. Mine is asleep with his head in his food bowl at this very minute! (he has biscuit, not mean lol)
If you did get a springer, I would suggest stocking up on tennis balls when Wimbledon is on. Saves me a fortune!

ExitPursuedByABear · 16/07/2015 21:48

Mad as a fucking bag of frogs

Search my dog posts.

Could never imagine another dog in my life

ExitPursuedByABear · 16/07/2015 21:49

But if you do want one there is a fabulous spaniel rescue. Pm if you want details.

Asleeponasunbeam · 16/07/2015 21:53

Mine was an undersocialised rescue at 12 weeks. He's 3 years old now and amazing. Calm in the house (excited for a mad minute by visitors but trained to run to his bed when he hears the doorbell), lovely to walk, total recall and great fun off lead.
Downsides - hoovering and farts.

mineofuselessinformation · 16/07/2015 21:56

If they come from working stock, go for it.
IME, 'working' strain springers are lovely. Yes, they do need exercising twice a day (half an hour each time minimum), but they are very praise oriented, affectionate dogs which are easy to train if you put the time in.

ExitPursuedByABear · 16/07/2015 21:59

Here you go

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 16/07/2015 23:20

Can I add to the spaniel spam?

CopDog, our little Irish rescue (sprocker we think)

StarsInTheNightSky · 17/07/2015 07:13

I have had two, I wouldn't have another. They were lovely dogs but hard work, I found them harder work than the Siberian huskys that I've had! Also we have a toddler DS and I like our dogs to be very calm and steady around him, ie no barging out of the way or accidentally knocking him over, we currently have three giant breed rescue dogs (including an eleven months old pup) and they are wonderfully careful around DS and worship the ground he walks on (much to his delight!).
The springers we had were calm for the breed, but not calm enough for my liking, despite plenty of exercise, competing in agility etc. They were pre DS though so it didn't really matter, and they were both loved and pampered until the end of their days .
They wouldn't be practical for our current situation either, we need dogs which are calm gentle family pets but who double as capable guard dogs too.

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