springer spaniel

We had a springer spaniel for 13 years until last month when she passed away. She was the apple of my dad's eye! Extremely loyal dog (once my Grandad took a fall on an isolated country lane while she was with him and she lay on top of him for about 3 hours until a car came along!).

I would really say it depends on where she lives. A Springer Spaniel is definitely a country dog- they're not happy unless they're running outside through hedges and muck and that's naturally because they're a hunting dog. As many people have already said, they are extremely energetic and you'll definitely see this when your springer is out in the open! Not really a lead dog? Lucy never took to a lead anyways, not that we ever needed one with her though because we live on a farm, she walked herself and she had severe travel sickness so we could never take her anywhere even if we wanted a change of scenery!

Great doggy though-your mum will never be bored! Unbelievable guard dog too and this is definitely down to their loyalty! Wish I could upload a pic of Lucy but not on my phone!:)

cena wrote: »

he has too much energy for her liking. stands in his own poo. RUINING the garden when it is wet by the way he runs ans skids.

Please tell me you are taking the p*ss??

Every poster advised you they are extremely high energy when you originally posted and probably not advisable for an older person who isn't very active.. Advice was ignored and this is now the outcome??

Sounds like he is not being exercised enough outside the back garden..,

Eh take up his poo when he goes?

I take my guy stuff up every day

Both are simple answers to a simple problem..,

Sigh

easy come easy go

As soon as I saw this thread was back I had a feeling 'too energetic' was going to be the problem. Like everyone said it would be.

That poor, poor dog.

As Raminahobbin says rescues generally stipulate that the dog has to be returned to them if it doesn't work out. However since I'm not convinced that a reputable rescue would give a springer to a person who wouldn't be able to handle the energy levels I don't hold out much hope for it being a reputable rescue.

cena wrote: »

He has fallen in love with me. He goes mad when he see me coming.

I told her what was said here

Maybe your the only one who gives him the attention he needs and deserves.

Well if you told her everything written on here and she still proceeded with the adoption then its her own fault and you know what... the only one who will suffer here is the poor dog... being dropped from pillar to post through NO fault of his own.

I am guessing the dog is not exercised?

A springer needs AT LEAST one hours walks outside the garden each day... at least with no exceptions....

poor dog being returned because as per usual people jump feet first in without looking at the situation properly.

cocker5 wrote: »

With daily exercise Min one hour per day outside of the garden etc and stimulation 99% of dogs relax as the years go by.

I have a cocker who was MENTAL until 3... then he chillaxed hugely, but he is VERY well exercised etc.

exercise is the key

Believe me, she gets walked for at least that if not more every day. My sister lives in rural Norfolk, and there's a large area of woodland with a huge network of tracks only 2-3 minutes walk from the house, so she gets let off the lead as soon as we reach that, and bounds around in the undergrowth as is her wont. It's only on the 2 minute walk along the road to get there that she really pulls, on the way back after her walk she's fine on the lead, and generally speaking she's very chilled at home.

One thing that might help a little is that springers are actually highly, highly intelligent dogs. It's funny that so many people here have said they are daft dogs, they aren't, they are just so energetic and excitable that maybe that obscures their intelligence but they need mental stimulation every bit as much as physical. I have two nine year old springers and they need intense physical and mental stimulation. A favourite game to play with them is to put a couple of dog treats in a box, show it to them, leave the dogs in the kitchen and then hide the box in the garden. Once it's hidden, send them off to find it. It's great fun and provides both mental and physical stimulation. When looked after right they are lovely dogs. Super affectionate, as playful as a puppy right through their lives, very low aggression rates. Super adaptable and take so well to children. When I got my two I thought we'd have children within 2-3 years of getting them. As it happens they were 7 when my son was born but despite that being an enormous seismic shock at that age, they just adapted to his presence so fast and if he annoys them, they have never so much as given a warning growl, they just look at me in askance and wait for my intervention.

But they are a lot of work. They need intense stimulation, they love dirt and they shed like crazy, they are also very energetic about the house and spread their hairs and dirt all over. The worst aspect for me atm is that we moved house last year and my nextdoor neighbour has chickens, which is a nightmare with a dog which can easily scale a 2m fence and is bred to hunt fowl. We have a huge back garden and I have to confine them to a small part of it. (They still have loads of space but it's a shame they can't take advantage of the majority of the garden that was in large part bought for their benefit.) I don't like to think about the future without them in it but when I do, I have to admit I plan on getting a smaller, slightly less energetic dog next. I love them but on bad days, the amount of work they need gets me down.

Your mother needs to decide what she wants to do fast. Don't let the poor dog get more attached while she dithers only to eventually rehome him when it's an even harder wrench for him. However she did make a commitment to the poor guy and should at least work to find a genuinely suitable home for him, so that he never has to go through this again. It's pretty heartbreaking, tbh, and she does owe him her best now.

This thread has really annoyed me!!! Why do people come here and ask questions and don't listen to the advice they are given?

My collie was put through 4 different homes before finally coming to me. It really pisses me off that people saw this "cute dog" and didn't even consider what this dog really needs from their owner and not even do the slightest bit of research into the breed etc. The only one who loses out in this situation is the dog. I really wish humans wouldn't be so selfish sometimes!

My spaniel cross was rehomed twice before I got her, not counting her original home. Similar excuses as above. All could have been fixed easily, like crating at night and getting lots of exercise. Who gets a dog and leaves it in garden thinking the garden will be safe. I have seen even Yorkshire terriers make bits of gardens.

Hopefully this thread was an elaborate awareness raising ruse! (If only).

I wonder what became of the dog. I don't expect the OP would return to update?