Labrador or springer spaniel???

Horace

Labs are fab but they do steal things - I know of one that would steal buns in the cake shop every time its owner went in there (the owner is blind). I had one when I was growing up, he was lovely and refused to bite even when I took his biscuits out of his mouth (he knew he would always get a biscuit).

Springers need a hell of a lot of exercise - my old boss had one and can remember taking it to the poodle parlour as a treat so it smelled nice, was clean etc then he took it for a walk and woomph it jumped straight into the river!
Whatever dog you choose make sure it has been neutered and is good with kids etc.

Feefee_4

Hi

Have to say a Springer every time, a lab is a lot bigger than a springer. I have a Springer who is 3 now & she is wonderful. She was a bit hyper as a pup but once on the correct food "James" with no added rubbish she settled down a lot. I suppose every dog is different, but mine get a 10 min walk in the morning & about 40mins on a night & then a longer walk at the weekend & she is fine with that. I do have a dog flap so she can get in the garden but to be honest the garden not that big.

Fee

mattogier

Get a springer / lab cross and you'll both be happy (and you'll have a healthier dog that won't be so prone to genetic inbreeding disorders)

virgin_moneysaver

we got our springer from the local pound last year after I found her dumped on my way to work - wonderful dog - walking is her fav, quickly follwed by eating & sleeping but she's a gem around the house & only barks if the doorbell is rung - we think shes about 10 but have no more history than that - my cousin got a springer puppy - absolute nuts

SPANIEL36

as you can tell from my name i'd favour SPANIELS!!!!!!!!

i have a pure springer, Roly he's 9 and Sam, he's a 2 year old springer cross collie which is mental!!!

spaniels (as most dogs are) are very lovable and are brilliant with kids. Unfortunatly i dont walk my springer much as he had his carsarate (sp!) ligament broken by being assaulted by my ex-neighbour,( long story) so when we do exercise him he's limping like mad for about a week later.

size wise, springers are slightly smaller than labs and grooming wise i get roly clipped twice a year to stop him getting too fluffy and he loves being pampered!!!!

suki1964

I have just inherited a springer pup (now 14 weeks) after his first owners couldnt cope , and although I would never have willingly chosen a springer, hes growing on me

I have a cocker already (my second) and Billy the pup can run rings round him all day - and still go back for more I thought cockers were busy enough dogs but springers out busy them 10 fold

Its not easy atm, hard work in fact what with him teething, still trying to get him toilet trained (taking a lot longer then it did either my cockers) the four feeds a day and the fact that hes velcroed to me 24/7 but Im glad we have him and Im sure I wont regret it. (someone remind me of that at 3am in the morning when Im out in the garden waiting for him to go toilet)

As to what breed to choose, I couldnt tell you All i can say is choose your breeder wisely.Make sure you are looking for a breeder who breeds for the love of the breed rather then those that breed just for the hell of it or for the money that can be made. As firefly says, dont expect to find a pup anytime soon, good breeders tend not to plan litters this time of year to stop "christmas pups". And be prepared to be knocked back by breeders, many springer spaniel (and working cocker) breeders dont let their dogs go to "non working" homes, but please if that happens dont take it personally and rush out to buy a pup from a shop, keep looking. Also a good time to bring home a pup is the start of spring, long evenings and bright mornings for those all important toilet trips. Do make sure the whole family is in agreement with getting a pup as you are looking at having to care for an animal for the next 15 years or more.

Good luck in your search

Firefly

mattogier wrote: »

Get a springer / lab cross and you'll both be happy (and you'll have a healthier dog that won't be so prone to genetic inbreeding disorders)

No, they'll then be prone to twice as many! They will inherit from both sides! If only genetics worked as simply as that then we'd soon sort lots of genetic disorders out in no time.

There is no substitute for health checks on both parents and pup.

PS re grooming, expect to have to do this every day. I've known springers who have ears that knot when they sneeze and others than go a week and are OK. Prepare to need to groom feathers (long flowing bits on legs, bum, tail) and behind ears daily.

i_need_help_3

Springer springer springer!!!! we have one and they are adorable. Take a look at www.dogpages.org.uk there are so many dogs on there needing homes. That is where i found our springer. Good luck xx

Fizog

Lab definitely..springers are nuts!!

Jummy

We are really taking our time on deciding which dog to choose(months).
We are not looking to get pup till Jan/Feb so that we are 100% sure we have made the right decision.
We did have a look round Wood green animal shelter on tuesday and took the kids.We were quite surprised to find not many dogs available.They had loads of reserved dogs and the only ones left were staffies/collies and rotti's.
The reason i am swaying more towards a lab is because we have an autistic son.He is very good with his grandparents yorkie and neighbours king charles spaniel who we walk now and again.
I think a lab would be more patient with my son and more laid back.
Another dog my daughter keeps mentioning is a shih tzu,but aren't they a bit 'yappy' and 'snappy' ?.
Thanks for all your replies:D