Hi

We have always had Golden Retrievers, they have lovely temperaments, loyal, intelligent and clowns of the doggy world.We recently lost two of ours within 4 months of each other and have just acquired a new puppy, Poppy. She is adorable, quick to learn was house trained within the first week of getting her and has learnt several basic  commands. They do not require oodles of exercise but we walked ours twice a day usually about 45 mins. They adore water. When choosing your puppy whichever breed always see the puppies with mum and if dad is there meet him too. Ask the breeder lots of questions and go and see the puppies in their own home before choosing. If you feel uncomfortable or something does not feel right walk away!

Hi all

I was walking with Zara today and we met a Welsh Springer spaniel. We spoke to the owner and she said there not as hyper as English springers and that this was her 4th Welsh as she said there great dogs and she thinks they would match us and be happy with what can provide.

I wanted to ask is this true that there not as hyper as English springers? Me and Zara both really looked them , the Golden is still on the list it's just they might be better for me being medium in size and we said no before because Zara thought they were the same size as cockers but now after meeting one there not to small for her and a better size for me.

I just want anyone to tell me there experiences or thoughts on them if anyone has been around them.

We meet a couple out on walks, different owners, and they do seem like nice placid dogs. That's about all I know however.

We have a number at ringcraft and they are a lovely breed and yes no way as mad as the English. Bear in mind that they are still a Springer though.
I do like the Welsh but not sure how they are comparable to the show English.
I've walked a few English and the show type was very laid back and very easy. The working type are mad hatters and never stop

> she said there not as hyper as English springers and that this was her 4th Welsh as she said there great dogs .

I agree, I could live with a Welsh (where an English or even a Cocker definitely not).

I used to reciprocate holiday boarding with a friend who used to breed Welsh Springers. Also looked after one or two of her friends.

Hi all

We went to visit a lady who owns both golden retrievers and Welsh springers yesterday, she doesn't breed them just shows them and works them but she has no interest in breeding. Anyway we all loved both breeds , Zara obviously preferred the golden for the reasons I stated earlier. Anyway even when she was telling us the downsides we weren't put off at all so as we couldn't decide she told us the differences of the tow.

She said the golden will be easier to train as goldens don't ask why they just do it (she did remind me she's taking about an adult) were a Welsh will ask what's in it for me or what's the point.

She said that the golden is easier when it comes to exercise and energy levels she said it part to do with there being a divide in the golden so a showline dog will always be more chilled than a duel purpose dog but goldens in general are more laid back even her duel purpose golden is more laid back and calmer than any of her welshies , were even though Welsh are more calmer than there English cousins there still more outgoing than the goldens, she said calm and laid back are not words o would use to describe the Welsh.

She said goldens are also easier to live with as even though there affectionate there not as needy as welshs as the WSS needs to be with you all the time like when I got to the bathroom the goldens are still relaxing downstairs were the WSS are the ones right outside the door.

She also said that WSS can be sensitive dogs and that Goldens are not as sensitive.

We still can't decide even now but there is one thing she said above that might help us decide so I wanted to ask for your help when she said that in general Goldens are calmer and more laid back than the Welsh is this true , do you agree? (She said goldens are still active , energetic dogs but compared to the WSS goldens are calmer and laid back?

And do you agree with everything else she said about the differences between the golden and the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

I've not had much to do with welsh springers, but they are usually put forward as an alternative to English springers as they are not as nuts which I would agree with.

I reckon the breeder you spoke to is right in what she has been telling you with welshies versus goldens. The calmest will be the show type golden although I might add here they they won't necessarily be the sharpest card in the pack. A dual purpose golden depending on the lines in the pedigree, should be a happy medium and the working bred will vary from hot to very hot.

Goldens love their people and like to be near them when they are about. Mine have always followed me about the house and flopped down nearby to keep an eye on what I'm up to, the only one that has been more aloof and tended not to follow me was the show bred golden. However I've never had any problems with separation anxiety, apart from when they are in their first few weeks at home with you when just moving away seems to be a major emergency. Once past that stage my goldens have always just waited patiently for me to return and at the ready to greet you with a soft toy (or a pair of socks).

They are happy with a moderate amount of exercise, an hour mainly offlead is fine generally, but if more is offered then they will be there waiting for the off.

Goldens are still pretty sensitive, shouting is out unless they happen to be much further away from you. They are quite capable of looking like an rspca advert just because you've raised your voice.
Hope this helps

I would agree with all Jodi says, but my boy is more sensitive than the girls. They can also have selective deafness as puppies so training recall can be a priority!

Thank you both for your replys, what you have said has helped a lot and I read what you both said to my girls and I told them I would choose the golden as if compared to a golden there more chilled and laid back then that would suit me more and they both agree.

There are not many arguments in the house only the odd argument between Zara and Jenny like sister's do. 90% of the time there best friends and there always together but there's that 10% were they might disagree so I'm just wondering when you both say that goldens are sensitive would a golden (i would definitely be getting a boy as I prefer boys)  be afraid or unhappy at them arguing , again it's not very often but thought I should ask, and can you tell me more about this sensitive trait and if there's anything I could do to help my golden not be as sensitive.

I have to be honest I'm so happy to be going back to the golden as even though I like the Welsh there's just something special about the golden that keeps drawing me in, I think you both will know what I mean there a very special breed.

If an argument breaks out it won't be the end of the world, the dog would probably jump up at them or leave the room. You may find that the dog sticks with you most of the time if you are the one at home doing the feeding and looking after the dog when a puppy, so he would probably come and find you and try to tell you that the girls are making a noise and it's not nice

They're  not desperately sensitive, just don't appreciate harsh handling and being shouted at.

95% of the time our house is very quiet and peaceful but it's Jenny who normally starts the argument by doing or saying something that annoys Zara like taking something from her room without permission.

Our golden will never be shouted at or rough handled as we're training him with positive methords.

I will be at home with golden all of the day during the week but at weekends Zara wants to do loads and be fully involved and even during the week when she's at uni ect she wants to still be involed in training, feeding, grooming duties, walking (she wants to do the morning walk before going to uni) and loads of play and cuddles.

On the odd occasion when 'words have been said' i.e. an argument, ours tend to come for cuddles which sort of defuses the situation! It's hard to stay cross with a lap full of golden!