Buying a springer spaniel

micko123

Hi folks, just hoping for some pearls of wisdom here.

I'm buying a springer this year as a future replacement since my current dog is going on 7 years now and won't last forever.

I looked at a 9 month old bitch yesterday. Fine big dog and retrieving in water, shot over with no problem very eager. Excellent pedigree.

Anything I should be specifically looking for? One thing I wonder is that she is a very tall springer - could this hinder her in cover?


Any advice would be great. Thanks.

Ronnie Beck

micko123 wrote: »

One thing I wonder is that she is a very tall springer - could this hinder her in cover?

Depends on the cover you hunt. She'd be quicker in long grass and heather and slower in the gorse and briars. I find it more down to the dogs drive rather than size as to which cover it will or won't go into. In saying that sometimes they do get stuck because there just to big and turn back. You can't have everything though I suppose.

dicky82

micko123 wrote: »

Hi folks, just hoping for some pearls of wisdom here.

I'm buying a springer this year as a future replacement since my current dog is going on 7 years now and won't last forever.

I looked at a 9 month old bitch yesterday. Fine big dog and retrieving in water, shot over with no problem very eager. Excellent pedigree.

Anything I should be specifically looking for? One thing I wonder is that she is a very tall springer - could this hinder her in cover?


Any advice would be great. Thanks.

try and find out why a young dog showing such good potential is up for sale in the first place. (assuming you're not buying from a professional trainer)

micko123

Yes, it is a guy who breeds and trains. Last of the litter.

TriggerPL

micko123 wrote: »

Yes, it is a guy who breeds and trains. Last of the litter.

depending on what your last dog was like , would ya not try and get a pup from his breading , if ya kept him to 7 year of age he must do something right .

if this guy breeds and trains them ask him why after nine months he wants out . it could be something that wont suit a trailing man but would be perfect for rough shooting , or he could have noticed something and said get out of this pup , while he still can .

micko123

Yes, that is a fair point alright. I am going back in the next week to view again.

Funny, although my last dog has been a super loyal servant yet he is a real Jekyll & Hyde character. Out in the field he is enthusiastic and energetic but at home he is afraid of his own shadow and mopes about with his head down and cowers at any sudden noises. Drives me mad at times! So I would prefer a dig with some personality this time around.

Ronnie Beck

micko123 wrote: »

Yes, that is a fair point alright. I am going back in the next week to view again.

Funny, although my last dog has been a super loyal servant yet he is a real Jekyll & Hyde character. Out in the field he is enthusiastic and energetic but at home he is afraid of his own shadow and mopes about with his head down and cowers at any sudden noises. Drives me mad at times! So I would prefer a dig with some personality this time around.

Could have been from bad experiences with people and houses as a very young pup even before you got him? Wouldn't rule a dog out because of that. It's a sign of intelligence in my opinion.