Beagle / Springer Spaniel puppy

nikki702

GracieP wrote: »

Where in London are you living nikki?

Stoke Newington

1sue23

Mine were bred for work ,but with lots of exercise they make lovely pets, mine live outdoors in heated kennels with a large exercise area ,but come into the house in the evenings ,they walk in the morning for a good 2 hours if not longer mainly off lead in the local woods they also have a good swim no matter how cold they love it ,they are walked again in the afternoon and again in the evening ,you will need to keep lots of towels because if he is anything like mine you can not keep them out of water unless it is bath in a nice warm water they hate it My older dog was a pat dog who used to visit nursing homes so very well trained ,but he was just as happy doing agility and fly ball ,he is now a little old being 13 so has now just started to calm down.

GracieP

nikki702 wrote: »

Stoke Newington

Aw pity, I used to live near there. Abney Park Cemetery was a favourite place for walking our dogs, you can walk around it for hours without getting bored and it's like an adventure playground for dogs. Just don't go near dark as it's a cottaging hotspot.

You should also check out Springfield Park in Clapton, which is fantastic. It has a dog and child friendly organic cafe and the river Lee flows along the bottom of it. You can walk for hours along the river and mashes, but get some wellies. It's springer heaven (literally in fact as we scattered one of our dog's ashes there). There are lots of other springer owners in the area as well. We met some nearly every walk, we used to call it Spring(er)field Park as we're a bit sad.:o

Oh and in the summer definitely get the train to Cheshunt. It's about 25 mins from Stokie. The nature park there is enormous, over 10,000 acres and it's just across the tracks from the station. It's absolutely beautiful out there. It's on the Lee and is where several small lakes diverge from the river. It really is fantastic, bring a picnic and spend the day out there. Your daughter and dog will love it. We used to go out there all year long, but it's nicest in summer.

If you are near enough to Clapton station you can get the train from there to Chingford which is by Epping Forest. Though be careful there as it's so easy to get lost. It might be better when your daughter is older and definitely bring a compass.

suki1964

nikki702 wrote: »

Thanks for ur judgement but i got him from a gundog breeder who I was in contact with... not from a sleezy back street pet shop

You really shouldnt jump to conclusions! :rolleyes:

So you posted not 24 hours before you didnt have a clue where to start looking,then next thing you have a pup of the breed you were looking for - and now you say you were in touch with a gundog breeder?

Why even bother posting here for advice?

I apologise if you did indeed buy from a reputable breeder,

Buying from a gun dog breeder I still think you have got yourself more trouble then you realise. If your breeder is breeding gun dogs then he is breeding animals with an enhanced need to work - and that doesn't just mean walks, That pup will be needing to have his brain worked as well and that's constant attention - more then your 4 year old tbh. And tbh theres many a breeder who wouldnt even consider giving a pup to a home with such a young child because they know how much time and effort the pup will be needing.

Im not meaning to sound doom and gloom, Im just sick of seeing springers being sold to the wrong home and them ending up in rescue (if they are lucky) You only need to go read itsaspringthing to see how freya and co are contstantly having to find homes for young unruely springers being given up because the owners cant cope

Springers are adorable.Train them well and occupy the mind and you really will have a fantastic dog. When they arent on the go they are the biggest cuddle monster you will find

As for his fear of other dogs - how old is he? If hes a young pup I wouldnt have thought he has had all his injections yet so shouldnt be anywhere where other dogs can come up to him (less this is in your home and invited innoculated dogs) If he is innoculated and allowed out, stay calm when another dog approaches and talk very calmly to your pup,praising him, keeping himfocussed on you - making you the protector and not him. If he really is getting stressed then walk him away talking very calmly to him. Also never let anyone go up to the pup face on - its too threatening to a dog.Instead always approach calmly from side and dont pat onthe head, use a part of the body Try not to allow your child to stick his face right in pups face .

Good luck

bouncydog1

Hi

We have a springer - now 15 years old and she still wants to work! She came from working stock and field trial background. She is a fabulous dog and came to us when our daughter was 18 months old.

But as other posters have said, they need a huge amount of exercise. Easily trainable but you must put in the time. Where we live, they are the most rehomed dogs, simply because people don't believe how much exercise they need.

I would definately enrol in puppy classes, followed by dog training and would keep away from other dogs until you have started this, as one frightening experience for your puppy could set you back ages.

You can see where my name came from! Good luck!.

BD1

maggie110

I dont know if you are aware but you must keep your pup indoors untill 10 days after its second injection.

Be prepared for long rainy walks for you and your child wellies become your normal foot wear from October till April.

Keep the pup busy in the mean time with stuffed Kongs they can be bought at PAH so can the filler but you can make your own i do just google kong fillers.

I really cant understand why on earth a gundog breeder would sell a pup to a none working home other than for the money so sorry to disappoint you he is not good breeder as these home dogs to the best situation for the dog he/she is just greedy we in rescue call them Back Yard Breeders who have no concern for the animals they breed just the money.

But hey ho you have the pup and i hope you do everything that he needs to keep him from chewing, shadow chasing,reflection chasing, howling and showing agression because he is bored.

Here is a list of some of the health issues springers can suffer from the breeder should have explained these but i very much doubt it !
Not trying to have a dig just trying to educate !

• Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GPRA) (This condition will always result in blindness)
  A late onset disease (4 – 5 years, but can show itself as early as 2 years of age) which is identifiable by regular eye screening under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Schemes. Your Veterinary surgeon will be happy to refer you to a Specialist
• Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA)- Complete blindness is unusual. Detectable between 12 – 18 months of age, under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Schemes.Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD (A type of retinal malformation. Dysplasia means ‘defective development of an organ or structure’. Can cause blindness)
  Identifiable at 6 weeks of age,
• Primary Glaucoma - Suspected (under investigation) (Goniodysgenesis Pressure of the fluid inside the eye increases causing the eye to become painful and inflamed. Immediate attention by a Veterinary surgeon is absolutely essential. Will cause blindness unless early treatment is sought.(Can be investigated by Ophthalmologic examination)
• Entropion This is where the edge of the eyelid rolls in so that the lashes rub against the surface of the eye causing irritation of the eyeball. This condition is usually identifiable around 6 weeks of age. Your Veterinary surgeon can advise you what action is required to correct this.<LI class=normaltxt>Fucosidosis - An enzyme deficiency peculiar to only The English Springer Spaniel and for which there is a DNA test available. (Where a DNA test is available breeders are obliged to use it) .
• Hip Dysplasia - A malformation of one or both hip joints more easily detectable in mature adults. Use of the BVA/KC Schemes is available. Please ask your veterinary surgeon for further information

If you go on the site i mentioned easlier in this thread there are lots of hints and tips from peole who have owned springers for how ever many years me included !

1sue23

maggie110 wrote: »

I dont know if you are aware but you must keep your pup indoors untill 10 days after its second injection.

Be prepared for long rainy walks for you and your child wellies become your normal foot wear from October till April.

Keep the pup busy in the mean time with stuffed Kongs they can be bought at PAH so can the filler but you can make your own i do just google kong fillers.

I really cant understand why on earth a gundog breeder would sell a pup to a none working home other than for the money so sorry to disappoint you he is not good breeder as these home dogs to the best situation for the dog he/she is just greedy we in rescue call them Back Yard Breeders who have no concern for the animals they breed just the money.

But hey ho you have the pup and i hope you do everything that he needs to keep him from chewing, shadow chasing,reflection chasing, howling and showing agression because he is bored.

Here is a list of some of the health issues springers can suffer from the breeder should have explained these but i very much doubt it !
Not trying to have a dig just trying to educate !

• Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GPRA) (This condition will always result in blindness)
  A late onset disease (4 – 5 years, but can show itself as early as 2 years of age) which is identifiable by regular eye screening under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Schemes. Your Veterinary surgeon will be happy to refer you to a Specialist
• Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA)- Complete blindness is unusual. Detectable between 12 – 18 months of age, under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Schemes.Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD (A type of retinal malformation. Dysplasia means ‘defective development of an organ or structure’. Can cause blindness)
  Identifiable at 6 weeks of age,
• Primary Glaucoma - Suspected (under investigation) (Goniodysgenesis Pressure of the fluid inside the eye increases causing the eye to become painful and inflamed. Immediate attention by a Veterinary surgeon is absolutely essential. Will cause blindness unless early treatment is sought.(Can be investigated by Ophthalmologic examination)
• Entropion This is where the edge of the eyelid rolls in so that the lashes rub against the surface of the eye causing irritation of the eyeball. This condition is usually identifiable around 6 weeks of age. Your Veterinary surgeon can advise you what action is required to correct this.<LI class=normaltxt>Fucosidosis - An enzyme deficiency peculiar to only The English Springer Spaniel and for which there is a DNA test available. (Where a DNA test is available breeders are obliged to use it) .
• Hip Dysplasia - A malformation of one or both hip joints more easily detectable in mature adults. Use of the BVA/KC Schemes is available. Please ask your veterinary surgeon for further information

If you go on the site i mentioned easlier in this thread there are lots of hints and tips from peole who have owned springers for how ever many years me included !

Why so negative the vast majority of springers that I know have made great pets and are ideal with children ,my own springers were bred by game keepers and I can honestly say are great dogs, yes they are active but when in the home after a good run they are both very calm and very gentle with my grand daughter ,the elder dog was a pat dog for many years and has never shown any aggression ,it may well be that this dog will get long walks and will grow with the child and that they will have many happy years together .

Notsosharp

Why so negative all the time, why has this poster come under all this flack for getting a dog whereas the OP with the labrador hasn't?

Reading all the things people have said it would put you off owning a dog full stop! Yes there are a lot of things a springer needs but having had experience with a lot of other breeds of dogs including alsations and labradors I would say that they make brilliant pets, they seem easier to train for a start and the fact they need a lot of exercise is a good thing for the owner cause it means they get exercise too.

And how exactly do you distingusih between someone who is a backyard breeder and someone who isn't. After watching that BBC documentary on crufts etc I would say so called professional breeders care even less about their dogs then the backyard breeders. I will never forget that woman who had healthy puppies put down because they did not have the ridge.

Where else would a springer come from except a gundog breeder? The show variety maybe less active but seeing as they are bred to a pretty show standard that takes no account of the active life the dogs has I would say they are far more likely to suffer health problems than the working type.

Another point that has been raised is even if people do go to rescues they cannot get a dog for whatever reason, the OP has a young child, do you think she would have been even given the chance to rehome a dog? Why do rescues not allow families with young kids to take on dogs, I grew up with dogs, my daugher has grown up with dogs and neither of us has ever come to any harm......

I would love to rescue a dog but its unlikely I would be allowed seeing as I have a young child and other pets, both of which tend to be excluded by rescues. So if I ever am in the position to have a dog I would probably have to go to a so-called back yard breeder.

I am not denying there are irresponsible back yard breeders out there but at the same time you cannot tar everyone with the same brush.

suki1964

Another point that has been raised is even if people do go to rescues they cannot get a dog for whatever reason, the OP has a young child, do you think she would have been even given the chance to rehome a dog? Why do rescues not allow families with young kids to take on dogs, I grew up with dogs, my daugher has grown up with dogs and neither of us has ever come to any harm......

Because rescue asses a dogs needs and a pup going to the home where there are young children not at school is not a good idea. Its hard enough giving a ppup the time it needs for toilet training, general training, without having to make sure pup and child are never left supervised together.

Now I know that in real life people cope every day but rescues cant take that risk, They are looking for "forever homes" and dont want a family handing a pup back into rescue a month or so down the line because they cant cope

And how exactly do you distingusih between someone who is a backyard breeder and someone who isn't

Someone who breeds indiscriminately for profit and doesnt care who the pups are placed with. I good mating of gundogs would have queues of people lining up for the pups - gun dog owners - they would never need to be sold on as family pets

Why so negative all the time, why has this poster come under all this flack for getting a dog whereas the OP with the labrador hasn't?

Because she originally posted that she didnt have a clue then less then 24hrs later shes the proud owbner of a pup. !!!!!! I epect she would spend more time researching a car then she ever did when looking to buy a real live creature.

Now its obvious that the majoriety of posters who spend a lot of time and effort replying to questions here care passionately about dogs and their welfare.If someone asks on here how to buy a pup we are going to tell them how to go about doing the research and what to think about their own lives and how a pup/dog will fit in, None of us are saying no one can get any dog other then a rescue on, we are just saying you need to do a lot or research before parting with your money as you want a fit and healthy dog that suits your lifestyle

nikki702

Thanks everyone for your advice... I do also feel that i have had so many negative comments on here.

I know my puppy needs puppy classes... I know it needs hours and hours of exercise and it has toys (including a puppy kong)

I also know its hard with a puppy and a child ... I can take my daughter to the park sometimes and when she is tired she can stay home with her father and i can take the puppy for his exercise.

I am not afraid of the weather.... a good soaking in the rain never hurt anyone!

I am aware the breeder may well have been a careless person but i am pleased this puppy has ended up with me... in a home he will be happy, well excercised, loved and cared for.

I am not going to post on here for any kind of advice anymore thanks to those negative people!

However, thanks very much to everyone who offered me valuable advice and info.

Its great to know that there are still some helpful people about on MSE! :T