English springer spaniel

[learntojive]

Thanks to everyone who answered my question last week on the suitability of a cocker spaniel for my children.
I decided to go to the dogs trust in the end and see what they had in, took the kids yesterday at opening time and there he was, just waiting for us, a 7 month old springer spaniel. He'd just arrived that morning, his owner was allergic to him and he's perfect.
The people behind us were enquiring about him too, the assistant said he wouldn't have been there long if we hadn't got him - it's fate! I think we were meant to have him and I'm so glad we got there early.
We took him for a walk again this morning, they are coming to inspect our house and garden on Thursday and we get him Saturday after we attend a talk, we also have to register him with the vet and attend some training classes.
It's good that they don't just let them go to anybody without checking first that it's a suitable home.
We're so thrilled, can anyone give me any tips on owning a springer?
We work shifts so someones in nearly all the time and we're prepared to spend time and energy on him - but I've never had a spaniel.

[leelapops]

learntojive, many congratulations on your new arrival! I hope you and he have many happy years together, and that his home is a forever home now. No Spaniel knowledge, sorry, but I am sure AB's experts can help you out :) x

[annavc]

I've never had a springer so can't really give you much advice, I just wanted to say well done for going to the Dogs Trust. They are a brilliant organisation and I applaud anyone who gets their animal from a shelter. I totally believe in fate too and I'm sure you were meant to find him. I believe that with my cat who I got from Battersea a couple of years ago. I was wandering around looking at all the moggies in there and when I got to his cage he looked up from his sleep, jumped off the shelf he was lying on and started sniffing me through the bars. The assistant was really surprised and said he was usually really shy and nervous. She opened his cage door and he came out and started rubbing his head on my head - my heart was immediately captured!! I hope you and your new boy have lots and lots of happy years together.

[hammerman]

We have a 4 year old male springer. He's a typical working dog....in and out of the bushes trying to flush the birds out. Other springers don't show this trait at all and are considdered more show springers.

Springers are fantastic fun and have boundless energy....mine would be on the go for 25 hours a day if he could and i know someone who had to take theirs for a two hour walk to calm him down before an 8 hour shoot.

They're very easy to train but they will always retain that bit of "naughtiness".....tone of voice often sorts out when you're playing and when you mean it !!!

Give them lots of toys and play games with him....hide a small amount of his favourite treats around the house and let him sniff them out. Take him for a swim....ours would break ice on a lake to go for a swim....he loves it.

But, springers can also play games with you....they're very intelligent and will often ignore the "non-master". Our springer always looks at me when my wife tells him off as if to say "is this right....her telling me off ?!!!"

be prepared for some chewing until he's 2. We went through hell with ours.....shoes, toys, kitchen stuff, skirting boards etc etc.

If you can put up with that lot, you will have the most rewarding time of your lives with your dog....i would never have another breed again.

Good luck and let us know how it goes

[learntojive]

Thanks for your good wishes, I just can't wait to get him on Saturday, it's like waiting for Christmas counting down the days - I think I'm worse than the kids!
Thanks especially hammerman for the advice, great to get some insight from someone who has one.
The dogs trust was great, I was very impressed with the cleanliness of the dogs and the kennels, the staff all seemed to love the dogs and knew every one by name. They only ask for �75, I shall make sure we give a good donation and shall continue to support them in the future.
Thanks again folks :o)

[crazymum]

Hi, I had a rescue springer. She was the most loyal and loving dog I have ever owned. Things to think about-are you going to get your dog clipped? I had mine clipped as she was coming to the stables with me every day and I also let her go swimming in rivers whenever she wanted so it was much easier to keep her clean. I did however get her a coat to keep her dry. Always check ears! Springers are into everything and things will get stuck in their ears. Its best to check daily rather than wait for it to happen. GET INSURANCE!!! Young springers are live wires so again..better to be safe than sorry and thousands of pounds in pocket!
Good Luck with your springer-best choice ever!

[learntojive]

Thanks crazymum, very useful information.

I have one more question if anyone is here, what do I feed him on?
I was advised Eukanuba or similar high protein food, then someone else said Wafcol because high protein makes them giddy. I'm happy to buy him whichever is the best for him.

[hammerman]

Ours is fed on Bakers and he seems happy with that

[gelda]

Try looking at the Burns food site, it's an excellent food and the site gives a lot of information about dogs diets.

[lankeela]

Puppies need a good quality high protein food to help them grow and develop, particularly if it has not had such a good start in life. Eukanuba Puppy/Junior is excellent, and provided you give regular exercise (not too much but regular and lots of mental stimulation) then your Springer should be fine. Feed Adult Mantenance after about a year, which is a bit lower in protein.

Also with Eukanuba, you feed less, as more is digested and there is less waste to pick up.

[leelapops]

learntojive, something that made me giggle, but that might actually be useful, is a spaniel water bowl (I couldn't find a link), available from Pets at Home, and probably other pet shops. It is almost conical in shape, but with a bowly bit of course, and I think the idea is that because spaniels have such long ears, their ears remain outside their water bowl, and their tongues can get inside it! Thus saving wet ears.

x

[learntojive]

thanks again everyone for taking the time to help me - your advice is much appreciated :o)

..and I'll look out for that spaniel bowl!

[lankeela]

http://www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/stkco de/107072/category/225.html


You can also get stainless steel ones.

[learntojive]

That looks just the job, thanks for that

...been to walk him again today, get him tomorrow, we're so excited!

[sue11]

Just been reading this thread. AAAHHH bless! Best wishes, hope your new arrival is settling in well, I am sure he will be much loved!!