A companion for me (fingers crossed)

[Mesquite]

Well, after a little gentle persuasion, hints, suggestions and downright emotional blackmail the little wifey has softened to the idea of letting me have a dog. As we've got 5 cats already we're going to get a puppy as that will hopefully be easier to introduce to them.

What I'd like to get is an English Springer Spaniel as they're a breed of dog that I've admired for a long time. Are there folks on here who have or had ESS's and if so can you give some advice on them please?

 

[MartinK9]

They are a great working dog, whether as a gun dog or search dog, easy to train although they need plenty of exercise(1). As you are getting a puppy it should be easy to socialise it to the cats, however, do not discount Animal rescue centres as a possible place to procure one, maybe slightly older.



(1) mainly in or around wooded areas, preferably overnight

 

[bri66]

Hi I've got 2 springers,great companions,you do have to walk them a lot(1-2 hrs if I'm working,3-5 hrs on days off)but what a good excuse to escape the house,also they seem to attract ticks so you'll get good at their removal,Brian

 

[DrSin]

A very good friend of mine has one and his dog has turned out great, He too has cats so got the dog as a pup, for a while the cats hated it and as the dog grew a bit and got faster he loved chasing them. Three years down the line and now you wouldn't know the cats had ever grown up without a dog they get on so well even sleep in the same bed sometimes. My friend said the key is to train the dog well right from the start (they went to classes, I have always done the home training thing) and plenty and I mean plenty, with an ESS, of exercise!
I have always grown up with a dog at the family home and when I flew the coop all those moons ago and got my own place the first thing I did was got my own hound (not an ESS though), I could not be parted from him, he is my best bud and he goes everywhere with me. Only problem is he is short hair Colly cross Whippet so camping in the woods in winter is a bit to cold for him

I hope you do choose to get a dog if it is right for you. Good luck with it and keep us posted.

Cheers Rowan

 

[harryhawk]

I'd always had Sringers before (working only) but decided to go for a working cocker. Smaller but my what a big heart. All the spaniels i've owned have been top dogs, work and at home with the kids. Go for it and if you want get in touch for any pointers/advice.

Just read my signature.......

 

[Sniper]

They are loyal, hard working, and very affectionate dogs. I've had several over the years and love the breed along with labs my favourite 2 types of dogs in the world. A little note of caution is the fact that they chew everything in sight at the puppy stage so make sure it has plenty of "toys" to play with and keep it amused cos as soon as it gets bored the chairs, table legs, cushions, slippers will all get the deep throat treatment. They love water so if your walking it anywhere near a stream river or lake make sure you have a towel and a blanket for it to sit on in the car.

 

[Andy2112]

Well, after a little gentle persuasion, hints, suggestions and downright emotional blackmail the little wifey has softened to the idea of letting me have a dog. As we've got 5 cats already we're going to get a puppy as that will hopefully be easier to introduce to them.

What I'd like to get is an English Springer Spaniel as they're a breed of dog that I've admired for a long time. Are there folks on here who have or had ESS's and if so can you give some advice on them please?

Nice one mate, they are mad btw !!!

 

[BorderReiver]

They are loyal, hard working, and very affectionate dogs. I've had several over the years and love the breed along with labs my favourite 2 types of dogs in the world. A little note of caution is the fact that they chew everything in sight at the puppy stage so make sure it has plenty of "toys" to play with and keep it amused cos as soon as it gets bored the chairs, table legs, cushions, slippers will all get the deep throat treatment. They love water so if your walking it anywhere near a stream river or lake make sure you have a towel and a blanket for it to sit on in the car.

Don't let that put you off; I've never had any breed of puppy that didn't chew everything it could get at.

 

[traderran]

I have a black lab and 3 cats They get along great and sleep together.

 

[Spaniel man]

You can't go wrong with spaniels, as long as they are kept interested! These are my two..

 

[HillBill]

Good choice mate. I have 1 and had another before it. Great pets/working dogs, patient ( if giddy) intelligent, hard working, loyal, infinite energy, freindly, playful, great with kids if raised with them. They do need lots of exercise though and they have very healthy appetites. Keep an eye on their ears as they can get allsorts stuck in them and do cut them occasionally. Never really had to take them to the vets either.

I would never want another breed. Theres just everything to love about them and nothing to worry about really. Very easy to keep and very healthy animals.


GET 2

 

[Mesquite]

You can't go wrong with spaniels, as long as they are kept interested!...

Well I took the plunge and got one.

He's been introduced to the cats and so far so good.... they're nervous but he's ignoring them so all should be ok... fingers crossed. Here's the thread that I posted introducing him

 

[HillBill]

Nice 1 mate, you WILL be kept on your toes

 

[bri66]

Hi,you've made a good choice of breed,they're lovely dogs,Brian

 

[Broch]

They are amongst the most affectionate and loyal dogs you'll find. They desperately want to please but, as has been said above, need attention and activity. I walk several miles a day with mine and she's doing ten times the distance but still bouncy when we get back.

This is our second (retrievers before) and I'm convinced there's only one brain amongst all of them - they all have exactly the same character! (either that or I have to start believing in reincarnation )

 

[ScarletPimpernel]

Spaniels are wonderful dogs - OH and I have two cockers, one working (mine) and one show (hers):

The ESS is just a bigger, madder version...