I've never had a springer, but I practically grew up with Blackie, so I can tell you about Labs.
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What's an average lab/springer spaniel puppy? Are they hyper? Timid?
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Well, Blackie was once upon a time a pup, and he was one hyper pup! He loved to run non-stop, chew, chase us, play fetch, jump, and basically act like a huge, tree eating goofball.
I also watched a friends 6month old Golden Retriever, and basically, if she wasn't chewing on something, we were playing fetch. She did settle down a couple of times though, but man she wore me out.
A Labrador puppy, IMO, isn't timid. Now, I'm sure you can find timid pups, but a normal Labrador from a good breeder is a happy-go-lucky, wants-to-kiss-and-chew-on-everbody kind of dog.
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What's an average adult lab/springer like?
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Blackie didn't start mellowing out until about 3 years of age, and even then he was still up for a good run. He just didn't chew, jump, and chase as much. That was also about when he started developing his dislike toward other dogs and his guarding attitude. (But for the latter part, I think that is the Rottie in him, and his normal "dominant male" thing going on.)
So basically, when he hit three, he became a wonderful dog. No more puppy terror, but still playful. And then when he hit about 8, that was when he started slowing down and he wasn't able to keep up on bikerides anymore.
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How much of a bond will a lab/springer make with one person?
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Well, Blackie loves just about everybody, but he does have his special bond with the family. Labradors are a lap dog. Sure, they may weigh around 80lbs, but they are still a lap dog. The love to show their affection toward people and will most always greet you with a happy smile and a wag of their tail.
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Do they like to swim? We live close to a dog beach.
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Do ducks fly? Labs LOVE to swim. Blackie gets into every mud puddle on our walks, and loves to swim in the creek near our house. (Which we can't go to anymore because of loose neighborhood dogs.
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We took Blackie to our Grandma's house once and he went swimming in her lake. He LOVED it and we couldn't get him to get out of the lake.
I don't really know much about springers, but these sites:
www.yourpurebredpuppy.com ;
www.dogbreedinfo.com ;
www.dogfancy.com should help you out a bit.
And keep in mind: Springers need to be clipped every so often, and they still shed a bunch. Labs just shed a bunch. lol
