Cocker / Springers
Discussion
Me and mr beaver are contacting breeders at the moment with a view to potentially choose a puppy to join us.
It's been a long process considering different breeds.
I grew up in a house full of Dalmatians and like something with a bit of personality, however we live in a small house which already contains a cat and don't want to overstuff it with a large breed.
The gradual short listing seems to have left us considering a cocker spaniel, a springer spaniel or maybe a vizsla.
Can anyone with experience of the breeds give us a push in the right direction?
It's been a long process considering different breeds.
I grew up in a house full of Dalmatians and like something with a bit of personality, however we live in a small house which already contains a cat and don't want to overstuff it with a large breed.
The gradual short listing seems to have left us considering a cocker spaniel, a springer spaniel or maybe a vizsla.
Can anyone with experience of the breeds give us a push in the right direction?
My main dog as a kid was a springer. It was a fantastic pet, as long as you have plenty of either private space for the dog to exercise, or plenty of time to take it running.
I still can't believe how much stamina it had. It also loved water, so a local river/lake would be a bonus.
Springers are full of energy, the owners need to at least try to keep up.
I still can't believe how much stamina it had. It also loved water, so a local river/lake would be a bonus.
Springers are full of energy, the owners need to at least try to keep up.
Yep, what Kawasicki said. They tend to be bursting at the seams with energy. If you can't or aren't prepared to spend quite a lot of time exercising the dog, dont go for a Spaniel.
The upside is that they can be real characters
My sister and BiL have one and she's great, always makes me smile.
The upside is that they can be real characters
My sister and BiL have one and she's great, always makes me smile.Just to complicate matters, we have two springers and were expecting them to have "the mental" and be "all about the exercise" but they just, well, aren't. Don't get me wrong, when they are out they both love life and run and run and run, but ours don't expect to go out if that makes sense. Around the house they are both the calmest things who love nothing more than curling up on the sofa and sleeping.
No doubt you're expecting we have unfit dogs but they are both very fit and will work all day when my wife is out on the local shoot beating and one is grade 6 at agility too so they have very active lives.
I hadn't had a dog before we got our first springer and we did the usual research into breeds and worked out a terrier was the best option for us. I'm so glad our heart ruled our heads and we ended up with a springer as they seem to be the best pets! But i guess everyone loves their own breed.....
Here's our two:
IMG_2748 by chrisga, on Flickr
IMG_3591 by chrisga, on Flickr
And yes they love water........
No doubt you're expecting we have unfit dogs but they are both very fit and will work all day when my wife is out on the local shoot beating and one is grade 6 at agility too so they have very active lives.
I hadn't had a dog before we got our first springer and we did the usual research into breeds and worked out a terrier was the best option for us. I'm so glad our heart ruled our heads and we ended up with a springer as they seem to be the best pets! But i guess everyone loves their own breed.....
Here's our two:
IMG_2748 by chrisga, on Flickr
IMG_3591 by chrisga, on Flickr
And yes they love water........
We had a Cocker Spaniel and he was a lovely animal. He did need quite a lot of exercise though and we found out quite late just eats to excess (i.e after full). So if you go down that route make sure that you monitor the amount of food. He died a long, long time ago.
If you are space and perhaps exercise constrained: We now have a Yorkshire Terrierwhich I was against but surprisingly he is full of character. He is extremely loyal and I have taught him not to bark ("yap") at things (which I hate in little dogs). The only exception is that he goes completely mental if someone comes to the door. Someone tried to get in our house at 2am two weeks ago (I was in America at the time) he woke my wife up and then started throwing himself at the door to attack the person and protect my wife and children. Awesome little chap.
From an exercise perspective, he will join us on a 10 mile walk and will also be happy to go our for 20 minutes around the block on the lead.
If you are space and perhaps exercise constrained: We now have a Yorkshire Terrierwhich I was against but surprisingly he is full of character. He is extremely loyal and I have taught him not to bark ("yap") at things (which I hate in little dogs). The only exception is that he goes completely mental if someone comes to the door. Someone tried to get in our house at 2am two weeks ago (I was in America at the time) he woke my wife up and then started throwing himself at the door to attack the person and protect my wife and children. Awesome little chap.
From an exercise perspective, he will join us on a 10 mile walk and will also be happy to go our for 20 minutes around the block on the lead.
Edited by boxst on Friday 22 November 07:50
We have a Springer, she is a retired Police Dog.
Full of energy is an understatement, loves her walks and goes nuts when you even look at her lead. Her tennis ball is the best thing in the world. She can be a handful sometimes but she is so loyal, loving and an utter joy to have in the house.
If you want a dog who will constantly make you laugh, run you ragged but be the best friend you can wish for, you can't be a Springer
Full of energy is an understatement, loves her walks and goes nuts when you even look at her lead. Her tennis ball is the best thing in the world. She can be a handful sometimes but she is so loyal, loving and an utter joy to have in the house.
If you want a dog who will constantly make you laugh, run you ragged but be the best friend you can wish for, you can't be a Springer
A springer or a cocker? Hmmm.....
What about the best of both?
http://www.sprockerspaniel.co.uk
A friend of mine is now on his second one (last one died of old age) and it really is a sweet dog that is so eager to please.
What about the best of both?
http://www.sprockerspaniel.co.uk
A friend of mine is now on his second one (last one died of old age) and it really is a sweet dog that is so eager to please.
We have a springer here and we were also expecting an idiot that couldn't be tired out, wrong. He's walked twice a day for a total of about an hour. Normally gets sometime to run in that time but not always. Pretty chilled in the house but does get hypo when he realises hes going out.
Also theyre bred to hunt close and in my experience with a bit of training they wont stray far.
Also theyre bred to hunt close and in my experience with a bit of training they wont stray far.
boy said: Avoid buying one that has working parents they have a high prey drive and will give issues if you arent prepared for it. Unless you want a worker.....
flushing, chasing and, from time to time, catching is what they love. Squirrels are a particular favourite (yes, a springer can catch a squirrel) but any bird is a good target in their heads.
Mobile Chicane said:
My experience of springers is that they are nuts, and not in a good way. They need a lot of training to be reliable on recall, as their instinct is to chase.
Viszlas on the other hand... fabulous dogs. They need a fair amount of exercise, but they stay close when walking.
Thank you, we have been to visit a vizsla litter and picked out a new puppy which we will be bringing home in late December Viszlas on the other hand... fabulous dogs. They need a fair amount of exercise, but they stay close when walking.
Should have gone with the Cocker we had 3 lost mum last year at 15 got son who is 14 in feb fit as a flea despite a health issue which seems ok at the moment (stroke 2 months ago and a urinary infection 3 weeks ago) and a golden one 7 fantastic dogs very loving, loyal and eager to please just fantastic.
I intend to get a rescue one next from pre loved or ceasar now is the time to pick up an x worker that didnt make the grade as a gun dog.
I intend to get a rescue one next from pre loved or ceasar now is the time to pick up an x worker that didnt make the grade as a gun dog.
Ilikebeaver said:
Mobile Chicane said:
My experience of springers is that they are nuts, and not in a good way. They need a lot of training to be reliable on recall, as their instinct is to chase.
Viszlas on the other hand... fabulous dogs. They need a fair amount of exercise, but they stay close when walking.
Thank you, we have been to visit a vizsla litter and picked out a new puppy which we will be bringing home in late December Viszlas on the other hand... fabulous dogs. They need a fair amount of exercise, but they stay close when walking.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff