
If you are considering
getting a springer or a springer cross I would suggest that you
speak to the breeder and other people who know the breed first.
They are very strong and active dogs and they need a lot of
exercise. As with all spaniels they need a fair amount of
grooming to prevent tangles, especially
behind the ears. They also come into the greedy dogs
category so you will need to keep an eye on the weight.
Thanks to
Dawn Turner for the puppies photo. Tempting aren't
they?
The majority of springers
seem to be friendly and biddable. I can't ever remember
meeting an aggressive one but there must be one somewhere.
The springer that I'll always remember was called Boot.
Boot was a somewhat hyperactive dog and he used to run all the
time, even in his sleep. For a pastime he'd jump a fence
into the horses' field and run around yipping. The horses
could never resist this and eventually they would start to chase
him. As soon as they came after him, Boot would hurtle
round the field three times baying at the top of his voice, and
then he'd take a flying leap over the fence again.
Ah well, it was a bit of exercise for the horses and the
dog.
As for agility dogs, a good
springer can be very good. People who responded
to the survey said they were fairly easy or fair to middling to
train. They all recommended them as agility dogs.
Comments:
Peter McConnell:
Thank you. 18 months, a vandal to say the least!!! As a
puppy the kids loved her and still do!! but walking becomes a
big problem when your under 10 stone!! my neighbour Gerry, a dog
lover tried on several "mental times" to walk Lily!!! a x top
indo Chinese cop until 2005!!!! Anyway he owned a German
Shepherd called “Addoff" I can spell, but my baby is so much "
stronger" he said" then again he is 70!!. Lily will " stay "
wait until I give the order to eat!! but go get a stick???
anything!!!! no chance. A perfect liver and white bitch !!! she
is another member of my family!!!! and is there a law that says
you can’t love your dog? that will be the next tax!!!!!
Meghan:
I have a two year old springer she is such a clown and loves
people!! I do agility with her and she listens very well. I
recommend a springer to any one. ( they love snow, and off-leash
hiking in the woods)
Bet:
Just had my first agility competition with Jessie my
springer we had 3 third places and the 4th was a clear round but
not placed..she is not the fastest but knows what is wanted from
her an ideal dog for agility if you are not so active as they
work on in front well
Karren:
My 4 year old dog is very nice dog but can be very
energetic dog and I cannot get her to do agility but I love her
to bits.
Cerianne:
I have just got TWO! springer spaniel's Eddie(?) & Dillan, they have already
settled down and are wrecking the place, and they're already part of the family. I
would just like to say how glad I am I got 2 for the company, to see them running
along the fields together is just an adorable sight. x
Kate:
My Springer Scarlett is four in October and is a simply lovely creature. Like all
springers, she's very energetic and bouncy, but she's really well behaved and has
calmed down a lot since having pups in '06. Despite her exuberance, Scarlett is
trained to heel and walks very well off her lead. She's as bright as a penny and
very affectionate. The whole family thinks she's the best dog in the world and my
mother treats her like the third child she never had, the baby of the family,
despite the fact she 'doesn't like dogs'!
Springer handler:
Have just started agility training and he loves it. He's built quite well for it as he's the working type, so not so chunky and has nice long legs!
Springer fan:
I have an is fab, he picked up the basics within a month and
was putting many older more experienced dogs to shame within 4 months! He loves it
and is very brave on the course. As soon as he gets on the course he calms down,
focuses and is ready for his job. Although I will say there are about ten other ESS
at the club and many struggle to keep control of their excited ESS but they didn't
start with agility until their dogs were older. So start em young, springers need
firm instruction, smelly tasty titbits (strong cheese, cooked liver I find best)
bags and bags of praise when they get it right. Springers live to please. I'm
starting agility this year with my one year old English pointer, she is far more
difficult wish me luck!
Pat comments: Good luck
Christine:
I have just lost my beautiful springer spaniel cross bitch in jan this year. She
was nearly 13 years old. I had her since a pup she was a lovely dog a good companion
my best friend that I ever had, my soul mate, my guardian. She had everything good
about her she only ever was destructive once when she was a pup which is natural.
she lived with 3 cats and never went for them. I just loved everything about her. If
I was to have another dog I would have to go for the same breed because spaniels
are a very loving dog. I like the breed she brought me so much joy and happiness. I
am heartbroken on loosing her I just wanted her to live forever but it is
impossible.
Lynn:
Main problem issue is maintaining focus, but for someone who just enjoys agility,
rather than being v keen to win, a springer is lovely. She and I enjoy it all and
it has improved her general obedience etc, and provides much needed stimulation.
Han:
Zeb my springer loves agility and learning, so caught on to the idea fast. Being
very excitable though means we need recall practice!
Julie:
My springer is only just into large and can sometimes struggle with the jump
heights. As for the other comments about sniffing - Meg is certainly a sniffer!
She has been known to be in the ring for over 10 minutes because she has got a
great smell that she is following!
Julie
Bradley:
I would try and get a smaller breed, as my dog struggles at large, there are some
very competent springers who are measured in medium, unfortunately my dog is of the
leggy variety!!
Lynzii:
My Springer is scared of the jumps but when she does do them she jumps amazingly
well. I just dont understand it .
Ria:
My Ess and I have been training for a year and a half now. Inside training is
great and we are both progressing well, but when we get into competition if there
is a sniff to be picked up, then she will, she then follows the smell and we get
eliminated ! Ah Well that's what Ess's are for!
Pat comments: Jamie has been known to stop
on the dogwalk in competition for a good old sniff. We
didn't win!
Spaniel
Handler (ESS):
Spaniels are easy to train because they are genuinely hard
working and energetic
dogs who love to please their owners
Rob:
Springers can be aggressive, ours was. Just
needed her own space really, and lots (and lots) more running about than she got at her old house.
Rob:
My ESS is probably just in the large category, she
would do much better at medium. Seems to me collie and shelties
are the big two. Maybe a collie cross that was medium would give
better prospects for advancement.
Lynne:
Springers are bright, enthusiastic and full of
enregy. Agility is a great way to
channel their working nature into something fun and addictive
for both them and their handlers. Both
of mine love it!
Lynne Kelly:
Springer's are working dogs by nature and have the
drive energy and enthusiasm for the
sport.
Springer handler:
My Springy is a handful but she is bright,
athletic and fast. Now that I have
understood how to 'channel' her energies we're
making excellent progress - and she
loves it!!
Kay Elliott writes:
My dog loves agility. She has lots of energy and is
intelligent and it gives her a fun challenge that we both enjoy.
We have been training for a year and she is beginning to know
what she is doing, and when I give her the right signals she is
brilliant.
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