Advice On Getting A Springer.

[Nobby8126 96]

Looking for some advice guys, after working with a mates springer cross I found it a revelation, unfortunately I don't have the time to fully train a puppy so would be looking for something that can contribute from the off. 2 avenues I am looking at is either spaniel rescue or contacting working trials to see if they have anything that didn't make the grade. I want to try and avoid buying a "top worker" from people I don't know. Any suggestions on the best or alternative route would be a great help.

 

I'm a tight git but willing to pay whatever a good pooch is worth. Will also be a family pet for the kids.

 

Type of work is retrieving feather and fur on land and water. And to mark active warrens ( this I can train on going)

[jok 3,269]

You are entering a minefield my friend. If you go down the road of getting a dog form a re-homing service, without doubt it opens up the possibility of non working background,cruelty (hence non compliance), no pedigree (not very necessary),unconfirmed age and goodness knows what else. Dogs which have been through the working dog programme would normally make the grade given that they have been bred properly and handled by competent trainers. These doge are changing hands for quite a few hundred pounds.The dog I've just taken on is a 17 month old springer from a broken home. He was bought to do the job and luckily his previous owner had put a bit of time in him. All the basic training is there and it feels as though I have a good one. Sorry to blab on but you see where this is going. Look in the right places. Talk to the gundog clubs. Speak to as many people as possible particularly on this forum and make the right decision. The dog you eventually get is going to be there for quite a while. Good luck with your search. Jok.

[Nobby8126 96]

Cheers Jok, have seen one and at 5 year old that been working on shoots for 4 years. Going to speak to him and find out if it will meet what I need. whatever I end up with won't be working a line they will be with me on my permissions so I don't need an all bells and whistles pooch just a steady retriever for shooting and hopefully one I can break to ferrets so it can mark on those days out. Luckily I have a few contacts within local shoots who are keeping an ear out for me but I'm eager to get going, got to try not to barrel into something that isn't right. The biggest priority really is ensuring it'll get on with the kids as If all else fails it'll be a pet, I'm not a fan of moving dogs on left right and centre so if it comes in it stays in.

 

I had a brief chat with a guy of here that had a similar predicament and got a pooch with a backround much like yours so that route definitely sound preferable to the rescue avenue.

 

Thanks again for your reply mate

 

Nobby

[Nobby8126 96]

Going to see the dog tomorrow, guy seems really genuine and knows his stuff. He's going to give me a demo so fingers crossed.

[Lloyd90 509]

Check it's not shite. When your new to the field you think poor/aaverage dogs are great until you have them day in day out n see there faults.

 

Be careful. Triallers often move out dogs that are trained up but either don't make the grade or win but will never be a first place dog.

 

The sister to my bitch was very good but not "flashy" enough to win. Think she was sold for a bit more than I had my pup, just wanted her a good home.

[Ideation 8,216]

Couple of things that jump into my mind.

 

You would be extremely lucky to get a very good dog from a rescue.

 

You may get one from a man who trials who may be honest about why he does not want to keep the dog.

 

You may get one from someone giving up, thats a good un, a friend got an excellent dog for bugger all from the widow of a keeper. Not ideal I know, but thats how it goes.

 

If you want it to be a good dog, kennel it away from the mrs and kids.

[Andycox81 6]

Hi there guys, just reading through this topic and have experienced the same situation. It's not easy to break/ re train a dog from someone else. I bought a 12 month old cocker from a family who clearly bought him as they liked the colour and lived in the countryside so must have a working dog dog !!! Wrong they bought a hand grenade on legs and the only way they could steady him down was basically starve the poor chap. 6 months of intensive training and he is a cracker so it goes to show as long as there from good working lines and you are willing to devote hours of time you can make what you want from your dog and end up with a loyal hard working friend.

 

Best of luck finding one.

[Nobby8126 96]

Cheers for the replies guys. The dog was a beaut and worked well, then it growled at my boy and that was that. Shame, the gent selling it was a real stand up guy

[Andycox81 6]

Yeah that was a shame mate unfortunaly spaniels can be a bit funny like that can can be a one man dog.

 

Keep looking bud and I'm sure your find one

[jok 3,269]

What a bummer, never would have thought that. Very strange behaviour. Jok.

[ftm 3,357]

I always thought springers were very docile biddable dogs [99% are I reckon[] mine included -but I did see one wreak havoc on a very large husky type dog that got too close to its ball I was gobsmacked at the ferocity of it --good luck in your quest mate -billy

[Nobby8126 96]

There was no real heckles up aggression but not something I'm willing to take a punt on where nippers are involved. Nearly a 400 mile round trip aswell. Defo think my next one will be closer to home.

[Miesque 20]

Springers from certain lines tend to it - my Badgercourt is very territorial and possessive but the Buccleuch/Freecrow dog is soft as you like

[jok 3,269]

Where are you Nobby8126? Jok.

[Nobby8126 96]

On the Isle of wight Jok. Looking at a 6 month bitch soon. Local gundog clubs run courses so might be able to do the basics.