Labrador or springer spaniel???

Feefee_4

Hi,

There are several rescue centre for Springer Spaniels dotted round the country which might be worth trying. Springers are very faithful loving dogs.

Fee

DKLS

They are both soft mouthed working breeds, and as such you should be prepared to keep them suitably busy with lots of excercise. I grew up with springers and chocolate labs, who were all gundogs.
I was put off springers, when i chatted to an old boy at a country fair, who had 5, I asked if they ever calmed down, he said in his best broad yorkshire "aye lad bout 5 minutes before they dee"

continualdiamond

I'd have to say springer as well. Cos i have a 1 year old and he's great. Must admit i wasn't keen on having a springer, as i've had cocker spaniels before, but my fiancee wanted a springer. I wouldn't swap him for anything else now. He's so sweet.
I agree they do need a lot of exercise, we take him for a walk everyday on a massive field for an hr and he just runs the whole time, so he gets more exercise than he would do if we just walked him on the lead. We also took him to dog training classes from 4mths of age, so he walks nice on the lead next to us and when we want him back on the lead he comes racing back to us and sits to let us put the lead on him.
He's very clever, he'll do, sit, down, stay, roll over, leave. But it did take longer than other breeds of dogs at the class because of him being 'hyper', but it was worth it.

louidog

I'm biased so perhaps not the best person to ask!

Springers for me
Our dog is a cocker/springer cross (a Sprocker) and looks just like a springer but with slightly shorter legs and he is just the most wonderful dog, so laid back it's not true but he does get about 4 hours of exercise a day. He is out for just over an hour early in the morning, another 1 -2 hours at lunch time and then another 1 - 2 hours in the evening. He will come home and sleep.....until it's time to go out again! Are you prepared for lots of walking Jummy?
I agree about getting the food right...colours or lots of additives in food are not good for a springer (or any dog come to that) so we feed ours chicken and James Wellbeloved. So food for the dog is expensive too....another thing to consider along with insurance costs.

Dog ownership isn't just patting a dog on the head, it can be hard work but so very worthwhile. You get back what you put in. I wish you luck in your search

EDIT:
Just want to add that my son has Aspergers too and finds our springer great fun and company. The adore each other and the dog will go to bed with him too and there they both are cuddled on every night.

SLV_2

A labrador. I wouldn't be without mine, she's a big soppy bear :smileyhea They're generally less high maintainance than spaniels, because they don't seem to need as much exercise to tire them out and dont require too much grooming. Despite being a big bigger, they really are gentle giants.

I remember babysitting my cousin who was about 18months at the time, we were sat on the floor glueing fabric to paper with Bam (my black lab retriever X weimeraner) sat behind us. Without warning, my cousin dabbed his brush in the glue and put it straight into Bams eye :eek: She just blinked and went and sat the other side of me. All was forgotten 30 mins later when Bam went for a nap and the baby went and curled up with his head on her tummy.

FakeIrish

The wife and I hope to get a springer next year. We were considering a Lab or Springer and for us, the Springer has the vote as they generally have more "life" and you will never get bored with them around! Having had expereinces with both, I know full well what we are getting ourselves into with a springer but it would suit our personality to a tee! A lot of it boils down to your personality. For example, if you're a normally placid type who plods along through life at a slow pace, a springer won't be suited.

piratess

We had this same problem during the early part of the year i wanted a springer my OH wanted a lab .... Anyway we ended up with a lab... i think like anything you need to do your homework on the breeder etc .. If you do choose a lab be sure as others have said to check hip scors of parents ... anything over 15 i think is concidered not great these days .... we were very nieve when we bought Bosun and didnt know a thing about scoring Bosuns parents were on the high side! also check that eye tests have been taken,
grooming i spend about 5 mins a day giving him a quick brush through in the mornings ... as for walks ... well at first i stuck to the 5 mins for every month of his life rule! again for hips/elbows .... so now he is on 30 mins a day ...
he is so layed back he fits in around us. Have to say though training is a nightmare at the moment as i trying to find a higher quality reward than tuna cake and am having probs lol ..... oh well just like taureans they think on theyre belly !
Springers are gorgeous i used to look after one when i was younger and he was a dream! Attentive, playful eager to please .... and as mad as a hatter ! .... always on the go always willing to go for a walk ! which is great! ..

Im not help because if we could afford another id go get a springer to join bosun lol ... which ever you decide good luck xx

anniestar

Lab, Lab, Lab, We used to have 2 old ladies from Lab rescue and they were fantastic. There are loads of Lab rescue centres up and down the country. We know quite a lot of people that have both (I tutor so get to see various doggies in their own homes) Springers seem a whole lot of fun and always happy.But Labs hold a very special place in my heart. To be honest both breeds are lovely and will, I am sure be a fantastic addition to your family. The very best of luck with your new family member.

lab-lover

Definately a lab, mine is 4 and still nuts but lovely character and hes never boring. Hes not typical of the breed, he is friendly but is quite wary of strangers.

By the way for all you labrador fans out there i heartly recomend a book ive just read called Marley and me, its hilarious and lovely true story about a naughty lab called marley, made me laugh out loud. xx

Jummy

Decisions,decisions......Well it now looks like we will be getting a lab.
Hubby asked a few people at work and one guy has been raving about his 11 yr old lab and another guy said he looked after a lab for a while and it was no hassle.
So, hubby is coming round to the lab idea but we wont make a final decision till after Xmas.
I really didn;t think it would be so hard to choose a dog but we so want to get the right dog so I'm glad we are taking our time deciding.