Beagle / Springer Spaniel puppy

nikki702

Hi Everyone

I wonder if you can help me here... I dont know where to look.

I want to get either a Beagle or Springer Spaniel puppy but I dont know where to look.

I am after a puppy because I have a (nearly) 4 yr old daughter, wouldnt really trust a rescue.

Could anyone advise me on where to look?

Thanks :j

stevetodd

nikki702 wrote: »

Hi Everyone

I wonder if you can help me here... I dont know where to look.

I want to get either a Beagle or Springer Spaniel puppy but I dont know where to look.

I am after a puppy because I have a (nearly) 4 yr old daughter, wouldnt really trust a rescue.

Could anyone advise me on where to look?

Thanks :j

Hi, I don't know about other rescue centres but I am pretty sure the RSPCA rescue centres' would not let you adopt anyway with a 4 year old as obviously some rescue dogs come with baggage.

Although I have to say 'Mills' my lab (rescue dog) wouldn't harm a child, I was going to say fly but I remembered in mid sentence that he chases them (although he never gets near them).

maggie110

If you do buy a pup make sure you see the mother in her home enviroment ask about the breeding of the dog especially the springer because if you cant commit to at least 2-3 hours exercise per day then a springer (working lines) is not for you.
Many rescues get pups in try this website-
www.itsaspringthing.co.uk/ and ask about pups lots of good advice to be given on there and lots of rescues post on there too.
I have a rescue springer spaniel here along with 3 kids and they get along just fine she is the most gentle dog, very well behaved and from working stock but she gets lots of exercise, rescue dogs come in to rescue for lots of reasons relationship break ups, work commitments etc so please dont dismiss a rescue dog just yet do lots of research on the breeds before you get a dog also insurance etc.
Taking on a working breed of dog is one that you have to give alot of thought and time to and some of the dogs that end up in rescue are there because their owners did not do their home work on the breed as they are very very active dogs and people can't cope with the exercise and training needs of the dog.

All rescues these days require a home check and need to know about who lives in the home, fence height, local parks etc some dont home to children under a certain age BUT some do.

Good luck in your search

foreign_correspondent

just a couple of questions...
why those particular breeds?
what sort of temprement are you looking for and how keen are you on long walks?

mirrorimage0

have you looked at the breeder sites and you can phone the kc pedigree site and ask for reputable breeders in your are and they will send you a list.

although im not sure what your reasons are for not trusting a rescue dog.
we have two rescue dogs at the moment one a one eyed german shepard called nelson, who we rescued when he was around 6/7 months although he had been taken in and fostered for around 8/10 weeks old until he was healed and well enough to rehome.
and our second rescue is a rottwieler who we got in august and picked him up when he was 8 and a half weeks old as the parents had been taken into rescue and she had her litter there in the family foster home.
we also have children aged 8 and 6.

no i would not trust my dogs 100% but this is not because they are rescue dogs i just wouldnt trust any dog 100% (neither would i trust children though lol )

you can get breed specific rescues and at times they have litters in rescue so could end up with a puppy, although i must say puppys are very hard work so please do a a search on any breed you are looking to get.

MrsTinks

I'd still consider a rescue - but a rescue pup if pup is what you want...
Contact the breed rescues if you want those breeds in particular (be aware that beagles can be particularly stubborn and hard to train if you're inexperienced - we have a lady in the village with three and 2 of them are lovely the 3rd totally untrainable - and not because she's not tried - she's had all 3 from pups and whilst she's first to admit they can be hard work the one just refuses point blank to do anything she's told or asked - it's like she looks at you and thinks "nope, won't. and you can't make me!"
Beautiful tho they are they'd be more than I could cope with

lesley1960

Both breeds are very hard work , we had a beagle he was a nightmare ( his previous owners couldnt cope with him , so we took him off their hands ), he was very lovable but did exactly as he pleased. If we left a room and the door closed he would attempt to dig his way through to get to us lol.

My son has a springer , he is full of energy , very clingy , needs a lot of exercise.

SpoonyOh

I've noticed both of these breeds becoming more popular recently - springers are the latest chav fad where I live.
What made you choose two breeds that are totally different? You'd be looking to pay around £300 - £400 for one pup of either breed.
If you've got a four-year old, I'd look for a breed better suited to children. Neither of these breeds are particularly child-friendly.
http://www.provet.co.uk/dogs/whatdog.htm - Here's a few pointer questions. If you're still uncertain, talk to a local vet or rescue centre - they won't try and make you have a rescue dog, but they do often keep breeders' details.

secretspender_2

I grew up with beagles and they are not for the faint hearted. Dont get one bcause they are cute They need constant stimulation or they will become bored. When they are bored they howl, chew and destroy. They need several hours of walking a day, not just a quick 10 minute round the block jobby either.

I've never had springers but I think they can be quite similar - not a dog that should be left to amuse itself.

Don't tar all rescue dogs with the same brush. Go down to your local centre and see what they can offer you. Just because you buy a puppy doesnt it mean it will be perfect. They are like children.

foreign_correspondent

I agree with the above posters about these breeds being hard work - also, as it looks like your location is London, they arent really dogs well suited to town life - they have both been bred to run and run, which can be difficult to accomodate in an urban setting with a four year old!

Also, it may be worth considering that lots of adult, very child friendly dogs from families are now ending up in rescues due to the credit crunch - these would be less likely to nip a small child than a pup, which will almost certainly nip, mouth, poo and wee on your carpet, chew objects etc etc (these are all normal features of pupy development, and yes, it is hard work, very time consuming and stressful at times!)

An older, steady, housetrained dog is far less work!!

Also, it is never safe to leave a dog/pup and a small child alone, as both parties can be unpredictable!

It is also paramount to teach the child how to behave around the dog and when to leave it alone.

DKLS

maggie110 wrote: »

if you cant commit to at least 2-3 hours exercise per day then a springer (working lines) is not for you.

And the rest!!, I was brought up with working labs and springers, they could easily work up to 10 hours a day running many miles a day, and they loved every minute of it, their entire genetic makeup, is programmed for working.

I am saddened when i see certain breeds being kept as household pets, for me this includes most of the hound group, Springers and Collies.

As for Beagles, wouldnt touch one with a barge pole, they belong in a hunting pack or :rolleyes:

OP get hold of a decent dog breed book, and evaluate what breed will fit your families lifestyle.
Unless your one of those annoying hyper active families, a springer is a poor choice.