Hello, I am very new to the dog world but willing to learn. I've been looking at Springer Spaniels but am not sure whether they are the right kind of dog for me as most of the people I have talked to have said that they are hard to train and a bit silly! Is this the case?
Thanks
nicola

To get an idea about any dog's possible mental make up have a look at what the dog was originally bred to do.

Although on a shoot a Springer fulfil most jobs, its real function is as a hunter, a finder of game. It is trainable or it would never be able to adequately fulfil these jobs but is prone to being headstrong, a liking for doing it's own thing.

On my way to work in the mornings I often see a woman walking a Springer and a Labrador and have often thought how these two dogs epitomise their respective two breeds. The Labrador walking to heel beside the woman barely looking to left or right and the Springer quartering the ground at the end of the lead with its nose on the ground!

As to training, with any breed you should play to their strengths, not battle against the tide trying to change their natural desires or you will be making hard work out of it.

Regards, John

Absolutely right John, especially the last paragraph!

The number of people who want dalmatians because "they look pretty" rather than "they can trot for 20 miles a day, that's what I want" drive me wild!

If people only considered what each breed was designed for (and they are ALL designed) and only bought what would fit in with their lifestyle, many fewer dogs would come onto Rescue.

My opinion.

Hi
I'm also new to the dog world in a way after getting a dog after more then 20 years from my last one.
I spent nearly 6 months trawling through books and the internet, and asking people when I was out what they're dogs were like, and I finally settled on the English Springer Spaniel. then it took me another 10 months to find a suitable breeder, I finally settled on a bitch from a lady who had a pair and bred them once, her dogs were working stock, but kept as pets , although she used them both in field trials. I don't know if I was lucky, but I'm now the proud owner of a 5 month old puppy, who is so well behaved, we think we may have a dog that thinks its a lot older and another breed.:)
I think before you decide on a particular breed, you have to ask your self some pretty searching questions. Can you give 100% attention to your new dog? I don't think its fair not to. Are you buying a dog for its image? Can you provide for alls its needs? especially when its a puppy, etc.
You also have to consider how your life will change, and how you need to give the dog your attention, even when you don't feel like it, I'm not trying to put you off, but I think its important for the dog to be appropiate for you, its no good having one that has endless energy levels, when you like your lie in on a sunday morning.
I couldn't be happier with my choice of dog, , and as I have no commitments, such as work (lucky me) I can give her as much time as she needs.
There are also things that you don't even think about before you get the dog, such as what do you feed it on, OK the breeder will have they're preferences, but will they suit you? in my case the breeders choice of food was one that I disagreed with, regarding the way the manufacturer does research on animals.
I hope I don't sound to negative, but which ever dog you choose, its going to be with you for many years and its going to be a wonderful friend, so you want to start off just right.
Please feel free to email me if you need any help, I've got absolutely mountains of web sites and links , for you to plough through
Good luck:)

Hello

I am a Springer owner, (I have 2). I must say that the comments about the Springers lead manners are spot on. If you go for a Springer I think you can safely expect them to not be great on the lead. They love tearing around the place, and in my experience, are easily trained to obey off the lead. They are great fun, very affectionate and once you have one you'll wonder what took you so long. They do require regular exercise (as most dogs do) and will let you know if they aren't getting enough!
Puppies can be a handful but your other option is to rescue. Rescue dogs are given up for many reasons and may take a bit of training. But some dogs are left when their owners die or something and have no behaviour problems at all. You may want to speak to the NWESSR or try their site at www.englishspringerrescue.org.uk

Have fun

Rehan

Hi,
I am also a springer owner this is my third and even within a breed they can be quite different the first two were pretty obedient we even won obedience classes at exemp level.
But Bella is a different story shes a 2 yr old maniac!!!
Pulls like a train, no matter what aids or tecniques I use, and has a really strong hunting instinct of the lead on a walk she won't come back until shes finished chasing the bird/rabbit or what ever else lurks in the under growth.
But get her to some agility equipment and shes an angel with an instant recall, she also walks to heel at obedience class!
I really do believe a springer(especially from working stock) should have a job to do, there is a lot of different disiplines so every one should find something for them. JMHO

Has any one got any ideas for fun things to do together with my springer to keep her occupied.
I've heard of agility, but having kidney failure, I don't know if I would be able to keep up with the dog on that one.
I'm ok on long walks as long as I can have a 5 minute breather now and again, and I'm great at throwing a ball, I've even learnt not to throw it too far incase its me that ends up fetching it.

You could try a bit of retrieving work with dummies. My springer loves it.

Helen

you could try flyball, satisfys the retrieve instinct and you dont have to run anywhere.

what is ................................ never mind................. lol :), I'll do a search on the net

My Springer loves to 'seek' things out - we do this around the house as well as out in the field......