We will be looking to buy a puppy on the spring and want to make an educated choice. Despite having had Springers in the family we're now told they can be difficult and highly strung - does anyone agree or contest this?

We are in love with the Spaniel look and are looking for a good natured family pet that will get long country walks and be able to cope as a jogging companion! We would also prefer an undocked pup as their tails are so beautiful - will this prove difficult?

Friends have told us to get a cross-breed to even-out any extremes of Spaniel temprement - but surely that is really a leap into the unknown?

Someone else we know has Sprockers (SpringerxCocker) which are very cute but is this a recognised breed?

As you can tell we're looking for a lot of advice - hope someone can help!

T & G

It all depends who you speak to. One mans meat is anothers poison. Spaniels that I have had to stay, English and Welsh Springers and Cockers wouldn't suit me, but that is bexause of the fawning eagerness to please, which is exactly what someone else would love.

I personally like Field Spaniels, as they seem less hyped than some of the working Springers I know, but not such long ears as Show ones or Cockers.

I also have a friend who used to breed Welsh Springers with tails, but she stopped as a puppy she bred had fits, it later turned out it wasn't Epilepsy but a Brain Tumour! By then her bitch was too old to breed again! You don't get the division in type (working and show) with the minority spaniels compared to Springers and Cockers

Hi, I have had a springer and a cocker. Springers are lovely dogs but they do need a lot of exersise when adult, and their nature is to bounce about, which would drive some people crazy! If you are certain you can give an hour (at least) of free running EVERY day, they will stay sane!! They generally have good temperaments, but then I had a "working" line, I dont know about the temp. of present show lines, but they cannot be without regular exersise. If you want a dog that is always eager and ready for anything at any time, and want a dog that needs a lot of exersise it may be the one for you.
Cockers are also very biddable, but again " ready to go", being smaller they need slightly less exersise. I would go for a parti-colour bitch if I were going to have another cocker. They do need a daily grooming and regular visists to the groomer. Ears can sometimes be a problem, though good management will avoid, sore leathers ( ear flaps) and ear infections.
Cavaliers are lovely little dogs and out of the spaniel family would be my choice if I were to have another spaniel. They demand less exersise and grooming and are a little quieter. The problem with them (amongst others) is that some have heart problems and so some are short lived- about 8 years. If you want a Cav make sure it comes from heart tested stock and hopefuly from a kennel where they have related elderly (8+) dogs too. There may be other health problems in all 3 breeds that I have not mentioned, I had spaniels as pets, before I was really aware of hereditary problems in dogs. The cross you mentioned is not a recognised breed of its own.

Brainless is right - it all depends who you speak to. Field Spaniels are hard to get hold of as they are hard to breed. Springers are bigger than a Cocker and demand lots of exercise. Cockers being a bit smaller can cope with less but will take whatever you give them. Cavaliers and King Charles are suitable for people who don't want to do too much walking and prefer a lap type of dog. Clumbers again although not very high are a big heavy spaniel that need lots of exercise and again are hard to come by. Welsh and Sussex - again - as far as I know like lots of exercise but don't know much about their manners.

Temperament is something that is brought about by breeding. You get a good temp if the breeder has brought together the right parents - bad if not. I have Cockers as I love all the grooming that goes with them - I find them a wonderful sized dog taking whatever exercise you give them. That is something else you need to consider. Most spaniels are intelligent and need mental stimulation as well as exercise and this is often where you get problems. If they do not have enough to think about - they get a bit scatty;) (I say most - coz my older boy is incredibly sweet but a bit lacking in the old grey cells :D))

It is acknowledged that Springers can be highly strung - but then can so can Cockers - especially some of the Blue's - the lines my Blue is from for example - wonderful dogs but totally different to my other boy who is soooooooooooo laid back - he's horizontal. I wouldn't change him for the world. Although Jasper is a bit highly strung he has the most wonderful personality and manner about him. He wouldn't harm a fly and loves cuddles and people contact. That's what's important to me.

No cross breed is a KC recognized breed aas it is not a "breed" (as far as I know).

Looking at what you want exercise wise and assuming you have the right type of home and garden - very secure!!, I think I'd look at a Springer. The other thing you could consider is a "working" cocker. Very different to the show cocker. Looks a bit like a springer just a bit smaller. Not sure how easy it will be to get one with a tail. Most breeders of dogs who are worth going to breed for show or working stock and will dock. Please be wary of breeders for the pet market - not all - but many breed for numbers not the final quality or well being of the dogs.

Have a look through the lists of breeders on the breeders section of this board and ring them up and talk to them. Some will be willing to pick out a nice puppy for you and leave it un-docked, be prepared to have to pay for the puupy up front though and you won't be able to choose. But you might well find one who is good and leaves tails on. I know there is one who does working cockers.

A word of warning in advance - and apologies if you know this - but don't take a puppy on long walks and certainly no jogs until it is almost fully grown. You can damage it's bone structure and give cause to arthritis etc.

Good luck, I'd love to know what you decide. I hope this helped.

Pam n two mad boys

I had two Cavalier spaniels some years ago. They were brilliant at really long walks, but equally happy to exercise in the garden if circumstances changed. However one of them was inclined to be a bit snappy with young children - possibly because they look like toys and therefore children are less inclined to respect them as "real dogs". So even Cavaliers are not necessarily the "ideal family dog" that they are frequenlty claimed to be. Again, it pays to ensure that the parents are of good temperament. We later realised that the father of our dogs was not very sociable. Do your homework carefully!
Cathy.

I can recommend the clumber as a good family dog. But as Pammy and others have said, these dogs are not without their problems and should be researched before hand so you know what you are getting into. And no serious exercise for a clumber until it is 18 months plus.

But. If you find a breeder who breeds for good confirmation and good temperament, then there's nothing better than a wet, dirty, smelly clumber snoring in front of the fire!

The Clumber Spaniel Club will be more than happy to put you in touch with a local breeder, who will talk to you for hours about what to expect if you decide this is the dog for you.

Clumber Spaniel Club - 01204 709631

Irish Water Spaniel ?