Puppy Selection

When you’ve done your research and you’re sure that an English Springer Spaniel is the dog for you, congratulate yourself because you’ve done one of the most important steps.  If you've read my previous post you have probably also given some thought to weather you want a show dog or one that comes from field or hunting lines.  Whether field or show you now need to find a breeder. A reputable breeder will guarantee the health of your puppy.  They will ensure the pup has its necessary shots before you get it (about 10 weeks) and will look after docking its tail, snipping its dew claws and worming them. Here are some good links with information about breeders and how to select a responsible one.

Dog Breeds Info

Love Springer Spaniels

Canadian Kennel Club

American Kennel Club

Here are my top 5 suggestions when choosing a dog breeder:

1. Check out the breeder before you buy.   Learn about the breeder by visiting their website, facebook page or simply call them.  Then visit the breeder to meet them and to survey the situation. The puppies should be in a clean, well-kept environment and should look healthy and happy. So should Mummy. Many believe that should be in the house but I don't think that is the only acceptable option - when we got Juno, the puppies and mother were kept in a room in the barn where there was a door to an enclosed outdoor run where they were let out to play. You should feel like the puppies are well-cared for. A word of warning to parents:  there is nothing more adorable that a litter of puppies. Nothing. So if there are pups available immediately don't take your kids the first time you visit because unless you have a will of iron, you will come home with a puppy.

2. Meet the parents. If at all possible meet both the mother and father of the pups. This will tell you a lot about the appearance and the temperament of the puppies.  It's not always possible to meet Dad but you should ask to see photos. The mother should be available when you visit and you can tell a lot about the way the pups will be from the temperament of the mother and father.  Be cautious if the parents display any undesirable qualities - do they jump all over you? bark a lot? appear timid/shy/agressive? - because these are things that might surface in the pups.

3.  Expect Questions.  The breeder should be asking you as many if not more questions than you ask them. They should ask you about your pet history - have you ever had a dog? - and about where you live and whether it's suitable for a springer.  Ideally they should also ask you about how you plan to train the dog and what you plan to feed it. Don't be put off by a breeder that wants to ensure you will be good owners for their dogs. This is a good sign.

4.  10 Weeks and No Earlier.   If a breeder tells you the puppies are available before 10 weeks - walk away.  Twelve weeks is ideal. While they are with their litter they learn to socialize and play and importantly they start to learn some "bite inhibition". Remember they don't start this stage until 3- 4 weeks so allowing them to remain with their litter mates until at least 10 weeks gives them a chance to develop socially before you take them home.

5. Puppies, puppies and more puppies.  Ask the breeder how often they breed their dogs.  My rule of thumb is that less is more. I would prefer to wait for my puppy from a breeder that I like and trust.

Field and Show Dogs

Springer spaniels are an official breed recognized by both the Kennel Club of England and by the American Kennel club. However, although not formally acknowledged by the kennel clubs there are two “branches” within the English springer breed. Each "line" describes a dog bred for a specific purpose – one for hunting, the other for charming judges in the show ring. Field dogs and show or bench dogs really rather different, not only in their appearance but also in their temperament.  Owners who want a show dog look for different quality and characteristics than owners who want their springer with them in the field. 

The Springer Spaniel got its name from its ability to effectively “spring” birds for the undergrowth so hunters could shoot them.  They are categorized as sporting dogs by the kennel clubs and this is indeed their heritage.  However early in the 20^th century it became desirable to breed springers specifically for the show ring where they looked for different qualities than were required in the field.  Longer ears, thicker glossier coats and a more muscular appearance were what the judges wanted while it continued to be the case that appearance played little if any part in the making of a good hunting dog.  So it was that the breed gradually divided into the “field” and “bench” or “show” varieties.  

The Field Dog
My dog Juno is field bred.  She has shorter ears, a shorter coat but with the signature “feathering” on her paws and tail.  She has a docked tail – not always done these days (and debated by many) – taken just where there is a white tip so when hunting she can be seen easily in the bush.  She is tall but finely boned (and a little chubby, but don’t tell her…)  She also has the “ticking” or freckles that are more common in field dogs on her muzzle and her legs – in fact this ticking goes right down to her skin and isn’t just her fur.  

This is a field bred dog....

A show springer looks more like this….

They are often heavier and larger than the field variety and have longer thicker coats.  Generally show or “bench” dogs are without the ticking that I mentioned above although the official breed description allows for it. The show dog has a docked tail and a judge will look for a muscular sturdy body and a larger head than is usually seen in field dogs.  Show dogs have lovely long silky ears and the "feathering" on their legs is longer than a field bred dog. Show dogs are taller than they are long - field bred are longer than they are tall.

Temperament
In general springers are loving, devoted and endlessly playful. I haven't known a springer owner who didn't say it took literally years before the "puppy" was out of their springer.  Juno is four and still regularly behaves like a complete pup. I call it "puppy burn" when she belts around the yard in endless circles just because she can. Although there isn't much formal information on how field and show springers differ in temperment my understanding from springer owners and my own experience tells me that field bred dogs have more energy, are more playful, more curious and more "in your face" than show dogs.  Springers generally are very devoted companions and one of the main characteristics that attacted me to the breed in the first place is that they bond equally with all members of the family. They don't bond only to one master.  This has certainly held true with our dogs - and in our case, includes bonding with our children.

There is a belief among some that there is something called "springer rage" where springers can be unpredictably and suddenly agressive. My vet simply told me that every breed of dog can "rage" and that it isn't specific to springers. I have been told that "springer rage", if it exists, is seen mainly in the show line of dogs but I remain sceptical that there is such a condition.

It is worth noting here under "temperament" that springers need exercise and lack of it can effect their temperament. There are sources that will tell you your springer pup will need up to two hours a day but I am of the opinion that it really depends on how you define exercise. If you plan to walk your dog on a leash, it might take two hours, but springers - especially field bred dogs - prefer off leash time.  It is while they run through long grass, jumping at passing birds and butterflies, snuffling through the undergrowth, that they are really at their most content. If they get this type exercise each day you won't need to be out there for two hours. Training is also exercise and springers LOVE to learn things. I always think that any time spent training is exercise too so I continue to train both my dogs regularly and consider it exercise time.

Next Week - So You Want a Springer Puppy? 

References

American Kennel Club. Breed Standard  http://www.akc.org/breeds/english_springer_spaniel/index.cfm

Nelson, Francie. Springers at the Millenium. http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/versatility/springers-at-the-millenium/

Resources about Field Bred Springers - http://www.essft.com/fieldshow.html

A Great Intro Video on the English Springer Spaniel which gives a good overview of the breed!

And if you haven't checked out Hope and Rosie - the videos are priceless!

Introduction

English springer spaniels are the world greatest dogs - for some owners.  They have boundless energy, unlimited loyalty and minds that love to be trained.  I have two and love them to death but springers are, like most breeds of dogs, high maintenance in ways specific to their breed. If they are the right dog for you I can guarantee you'll love having them and never be without at least one.  However if you get one without doing your research you might end up as one of the many owners who approach rescue groups to find a new home for their under-excercised and CRAZY springer.  Thankfully springer lovers like me are an active and dedicated group and many of us are involved in rescuing unwanted springers and committed to finding them loving forever homes.  

I am starting this blog in order to provide information about English springer spaniels and link to resources that I used when I first decided to get a springer 4 years ago. It is my hope that this site will:

• provide useful information for prospective springer owners both about puppy purchase and rescue 
• offer tips and resources for new springer owners
• provide a forum for other springer enthusiasts to offer advice and information and share stories.

For my first post, let me introduce my springers.  Juno is my liver and white female and she is 4 years old. We got her as a puppy from a breeder in Ontario. She is bred from hunting springers - both Mum and Dad were liver and white field bred springers.  Pogo is our 6 year old black and white male.  We rescued him when he was 5.  He appears to be mainly field bred but we can't be sure.  He came from Quebec and took commands initially only in French - so not really and English springer at all.  Now he is bi-lingual.

Next week's post - Field Bred v. Bench/Show Dogs