Lab, Springer Spaniel??

[Estie]

Originally Posted by Mellie

I have shared my entire life with Springer Spaniels. I absolutely adore the breed and will never be without (at least) one.
They are wonderful family pets; and active, intelligent companions.

Your questions:
"What's an average lab/springer spaniel puppy? Are they hyper? Timid?"
Generally, Springer Spaniel puppies are energetic and active. They need to be exercised quite a bit on a daily basis. They are also active indoors, as well. If you want a couch potato, do not get a Springer. If you run, hike, swim, etc.... Springers make excellent partners for those activities. They are known to be smart and loyal. They are eager to please, so training them often goes quite easily. But training definitely needs to be consistent and often, because they might get anxious if bored. I'd say they lean more to the hyper end of the spectrum than the timid end.

What's an average adult lab/springer like?
A Springer's average life span is somewhere between 12-15 years. They are prone to certain medical conditions, such as hip dysplasia, eye conditions, and ear infections. But a well cared for Springer can be happy and healthy well into his/her golden years. An adult Springer maintains a high activity level (I ran with my Daisy still when she was 12 years old... just not as fast or far). Once grown and trained (ie: once a puppy has fulfilled his/her potential), they are like part of the family. They love their people, and tend to want to be near their people as much as possible. I cannot say enough good things about this breed, but I, of course, am biased.

How much of a bond will a lab/springer make with one person? You might find the a Springer will pick a favorite person, although s/he will still love all members of the family. They bond strongly to their person. My beloved Springer, Jake (who passed almost a year ago), was my soul mate of a dog. He would not go anywhere unless I was going, too. My poor boyfriend couldn't get him to go out to potty unless I was going out, too. If my boyfriend walked him and our other dog, Jake would not go out of eye sight of the house unless I was with him. Our bond was very strong and Jake made it clear that I was his #1 person. He still loved my boyfriend, but he bonded with me immediately and was devoted to me. My parents' Springer, Winnie, is the same way toward my mother. And Waldo (who passed 3 months ago) also bonded more with me than my boyfriend. Our current Springer, Bubba, does not play favorites and is just a big love bug with everyone.

Do they like to swim? We live close to a dog beach.
I have never met a Springer that does not like water.

Good luck with your ultimate decision.

If you do seriously consider a Springer, may I suggest the Springer Spaniel Rescue Organization? I adopted my last 3 Springers from them. From the national link, below, you can find regional sites for your area.
http://www.springerrescue.org/
Also, here is a link with commonly asked questions and answers about Springers.
http://www.ariel-ess.com/essfaq/

Mellie - reading your post makes me smile - even tho' I'm still sad with the passing of my beautiful liver & white springer, Yogurt. She had a good, really spoiled life - was 13 years old. Talk about being a family member - she even had her own car that we drove her to the lake for her walks! We lost her on July 29, 2005. I'm still crying, but last night, I filled out the ESSRA adoption application. I just don't think I can make it without a dog - and that would only be another Springer Spaniel!! Thanks for listening!
Estie

[Mellie]

Welcome, estie.
I am sorry for your loss. I read about it in the hemangiosarcoma thread. As you noticed, I also lost a beloved Springer, Waldo, to this cancer. Months before that I lost my Jake, who was my soul mate of a dog. It is never easy losing a special friend. And Springers really are just an amazing breed.
You'll have to let us know all about Yogurt in her very own thread. With pictures, of course. I always love to hear about other wonderful Springers. I know it might be tough, but maybe someday it will feel cathartic to share Yogurt's story on a dog forum.
That is wonderful you have considered opening your heart to a Springer in need. I check their website almost every day... just to see who's available, who got adopted, and so on. Is there any one in particular that you have your eye on? Shadow (of the New England region site) reminds me of my Jake. I'd love to take him if I could have a 3rd dog at this time.
Anyway... my condolences.
Keep us updated on your possible new adoption.

[Estie]

Thanks, Mellie. I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how to do it here on this website. I wish I had been here sooner because I had no one to talk to about the loss, and no one to compare notes with. I am just stunned at the similar stories. I really had no idea. I thought my dog was "above" all that. We thought we'd have her until she was 15! She had just been to the vet in February for testing - she was put on DES for the incontinence problem, and tested for thyroid. Her thyroid was barely functioning. She was put through blood tests, but none of this other problem turned up. She was getting pretty bloated, but I just thought she needed to cut back on the treats. She never did convulse or have any seizures. - she did stumble sometimes when we walked but I just thought that was old age.

I think Springers are the best dogs in the whole world! The one I saw on the rescue page was Miranda from Colorado Springs. She is sooo cute! But then, they all are!! Even if we don't get her, there are always so many available. I, too, spend alot of time on the rescue website. I love the adoption stories and the happy ending stories.
Thanks again for your kind words. Nice getting to chat with you.
Estie

[Estie]

Hi, Mellie - check out Cassy from Colorado on the ESSRA website...and keep your fingers crossed! The foster mom brought her over to our house to meet us (my son was the only one home). She is soooo beautiful! She struts around like she is in the ring of a dog show! She loved Ryan because he played with her right away. Tomorrow, Friday, hubby gets to meet her. The foster mom wants to make sure that hubby is as excited as Ryan & I. The only downer is that another family is really interested in her...but we shall see! I'll keep you posted!
Estie

[buddys my pup]

i once had a black lab, and that dog was a handful. we could never get him potty trained, and he kept running away, and was most of the time just so jumpy it got anoying. and he didnt want to train, didn"t listen but he loved to play! but that dosent mean that for all labs he was just stubbern.

[Mellie]

estie,
Cassy is very sweet looking. I love the freckles all over her nose and face. All the Springers that have come to me have been liver/white. Someday maybe a black/white one will find his/her way into our home.
Good luck with the adoption process. Keep us updated!

[Estie]

Well, I'm sitting here at my computer, and curled up at my feet is our new little girl - Cassy! She is a gem and I'm so grateful to the Springer Rescue organization, and the foster mom here in Denver for training her so well. When we met Friday again, I forgot all the political correctness and just blurted out to the foster mom - "just tell that other family that they can't have her!" She laughed and said that in reality, they had told her they weren't quite ready to adopt so to go ahead and let us have her! This was the right thing for us even tho' the carpet will get dirty (just hire the cleaners more), and there will be hair all over...but we had to get out priorities straight!! There are more important things than a perfect house!!
Estie

[anaconda]

I've a 1 month old lab, Finn, and we've only had him for three days, but wow, what a dog! Hyper? He's half the time asleep and the other half killing our slippers... we let him out just now for a pee, and he had it, and he ran around so fast for a little fat roly-poly that I really couldn't believe my eyes. Of course, that's comparision. Usually he just wobbles around at snail's pace.

Woohoo!!!What a dog!!

[anaconda]

But don't trust me too much, I'm biased.

[Mellie]

Congrats, Estie! Now post some pictures.

[Estie]

OKAY - I did it! The pictures should be in the members gallery. This little girl has more spunk than anything! She is so cute!! Estie