Lab v spinger

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1st time dog owner - and im very lucky in that I have the chance to get a puppy lab later this year (fingers crossed) or rescue a springer bitch who we think is around 2-3 years old. I have two children aged 5 and 7, happy to walk the dog but not sure which would suit us best. I have concerns about rescuing a dog i know nothing about and have been told to expect to toilet train her, crate train her and teach recall...
or do i go for a well bred puppy and start a clean slate. We've been looking for a dog for the last 2 years so this isnt a decision we have made lightly. thanks for reading.

I would read the thread that's currently running on here about a 2 year old springer. They are very high energy dogs and need huge amounts of mental and physical stimulation.

I would go for the Labrador.

Sprinters tend to be very lively dogs, I'd definitely go for a labrador.

As your a first time dog owner I'd go with the lab pup. We rehomed a sprocker in Aug however we were very lucky and know his history. He's a very high energy dog but we're an active family and I wfh so he's just slotted in perfectly. I'm actually amazed you've found a dog you can rehome with young children, ours came from a family friend hence knowing his history.

Glitterelf I work in security and was made aware that a number of dogs were seized from travelers suspected as stolen but despite best efforts, cannot trace owner and travellers cant show ownership.. 4 have found homes so I have the option of the bitch who is left. They are not in a typical rescue centre

As you have no idea about the springers background, I would definitely go for the Labrador puppy.

Springers are bonkers! I’d stay clear. Don’t fall for the trap that bigger means harder work. There’s a reason why labs are so popular - they are surprisingly calm (once you’ve got past the puppy months) And so so so friendly

Definitely go for the Labrador they are wonderful dogs!

As a first time owner, I wouldn’t recommend taking on an adult dog that’s potentially been living outside and has had no training and probably no socialisation.... guessing by your description.

It is theoretically speaking the same training as a puppy needs, but with a much bigger chance of baggage from her experiences and potential issues.

The breed is much less important, both springers and land can be bonkers or great pets - or both, lol.

But I don’t think a dog coming from those circumstances to a novice owner with young kids is a great plan.

Labrador but show dog (and not working dog as they need too much mental and physical stimulation).

We had a Labrador puppy - exceptionally hard work, as all puppies are, but he is such a friendly dog. I would get a Labrador again but I wish I had read up more about puppies and training before we got him.

An untrained Springer already aged two or three??? Bless her she's going to need lots of experienced support to get her sorted. Definitely go for the Labrador pup. Despite my nickname I do love and care for both breeds btw, basically I'm a gundog girl. Meanwhile can I offer professional support with this poor spaniel? I do a lot of work with rescue gundogs.

Another vote for the Labrador, my children are similar ages to yours and they adore our lab and vice versa. For us he's the perfect family dog.

We have a working line btw and he's super chilled out/doesn't need a huge amount of exercise in the case the showing/working comment above concerned you.

We have a 16 week old springer puppy. We all adore her but either we got very lucky with a relatively calm springer or she is going to get bonkers later! I have already decided that when we get her a friend in a few years it would be safer to go for a lab puppy...

Springers need mega walks which I think your children are a little young for - so I’d go for the lab.

Labrador. But they are mad pups. And they have super sharp teeth and jump-bite til about 6/7 months so keep a stair gate between puppy and children for a while. You’ll have to supervise all interactions between puppy and kids. Ours is 8 months and is getting more manageable with the youngest children.

I'd say the Labrador too. I have two children just a little younger than yours and he's wonderful with them and to have around. He is older now (10) but has always been a great dog, easy to train, lovely lovely dog

Lab every time with children. Our previous lab was 5 when we had DS but they were inseparable. When she died we had a break then had a new pup when he was 11. They are inseparable now she is 5 and his best friend. She sleeps with him clears his room of smelly socks and is currently invigilating his online mock GCSEs.
She is actually our third lab. Our first was an ex working dog that had never been socialised with children. But she was the kindest and gentlest around young children. My DF had an ex working springer who was petrified of children and would walk in the opposite direction if children were around. She had been brought up with young children, we couldn’t work out why she didn’t like them.

I'd go with the lab - unless you can meet the springer and find out a bit more about her. Has anyone actually assessed her level of training, or are you being told to assume the worst case scenario? If she is a stolen working gundog, she should have good recall, stop whistle etc ingrained. Quite a lot of gundogs are kennelled, but many of those also spend time in the house so are house trained.

A trained adult springer with a good temperament would probably be easier than a lab puppy.

Incidentally, is the lab puppy from show or working lines? Working line labs tend to be more active and ambitious than show line ones.

Grumpymiddleagedwoman, lab is show line, springer still in kennels, no assessment has been made and as we wre not sure of background, I've been advised that I should be treating her like a new puppy, from the beginning again.

If you can't find out more about the springer, with young DC and as first time dog owners, I'd go for the lab puppy.

Missing the point entirely but what a shame this little springer is someone's stolen pet

Lab every time .My boy is from show lines with some working line added but his parents both worked with groundsmen

He is more muscled and potentially stronger than working lines .But he is so easy to walk I can hold him with one hand or even a finger and he never used his full strength .

Mine does need more walking than some show lines and definitely needs brain work so those that say show line less active not always the case

But I knew that going in

As a puppy though those teeth like needles

Honestly we have a springer and I would say get a lab! ...do had always wanted one ...I love the look and we wanted an interactive dog ( not ggd right words but can't think of how to express) we also like labs but thought would be too big for our house.....ended up with a huge springer! He is gorgeous but a lot lot lot of work...dc are teen and I'm glad as has been hard and have struggled a bit...not cosy cuddling toy dogs with much playing as so nippy but getting much better....think would have been harder if dc younger..

Thanks for all your responses. I've been told we can meet the spinger tomorrow but ill meet her logically and not thinking with my heart. I'm definitely leaning towards the lab puppy for reasons mentioned above

If you get the chance when you meet her, try and see what her basic training is like. If 'sit' doesn't work, try 'hup'. If you have a whistle, that might work better for recall than 'come' - three pips is a pretty common whistle recall (of course, she might not respond due to the pitch, rather than not knowing the recall). Open your arms as you call her in.

If she'll sit, I'd try 'stay' (hold your up as you say it, palm towards her) and move off a few paces and see how long she holds it.

If she does all that, you have fair odds that she is a stolen working gundog, and if she's friendly and wriggly, you might be tempted.

If she's an untrained maniac, at least you'll know and that will clarify your decision.