Thread: Springer Spaniel

I'm looking at getting a pup. First time dog owner I am, Wifey has grown up with dogs though. I haven't done to much info searching on springer spaniel's, Need to get off my butt and start reading I think. But anyway a few questions 1st :

How do people rate them for hunting ? Deer, Ducks, Pheasants, Quail, Rabbits etc ?
Do they have a good temperament such as being around little kids ?
How easy/hard are they to train ? (I probably need the training more !)
Ok to be left alone for up to 8hrs a day while at work then run every night and weekends ?
Big eaters ?

Thanks.

Get a good one and they can do all the above, but a bit of an ask for a deer dog....
They are great with kids, like kids left untrained they could be a handful.

I have an english cocker spaniel, which is just a smaller version with the same nature. They are great dogs and have natural instincts to search out game. I trust my dog around game birds etc but not with deer. He is amazing with rabbits, able to sniff them, chase them/dig them out. My uncle has one and he is a great dog. They do need exercise as they have amazing amounts of energy. You need to get onto the training early and make sure he sticks to it. My uncle has had his dog snipped and it has made a world of difference, otherwise they can be a handful.
My dog gets left for long periods and think he quite likes it. Leave him with water and food and he is happy as larry. Sleeps and relaxes all day, then is ready to go for a work out in the evening. Before hand we had a golden lab and that might suit your requirements. best of luck.

No way in hell would I have a Springer as a deer dog, they are way to keen on flushing. Look at a Viszla, Lab or working dog for deer would be my recommendation.

I really liked the idea of a Springer Spaniel, But as Deer Stalking is my main hunting then probably not from reading above, Thanks for reply's.

Lab is off the list as wifey doesn't want one.
Will look into Vizsla.

What about an English Pointer ? ........

Gsp s will tick all the boxes too . Since a first dog pick a dog breed / and breeder that can offer help in training .

Originally Posted by Munsey

Gsp s will tick all the boxes too . Since a first dog pick a dog breed / and breeder that can offer help in training .

After having a GSP as my first dog and a deer dog I would not recommend one.

Originally Posted by BushHunter

I really liked the idea of a Springer Spaniel, But as Deer Stalking is my main hunting then probably not from reading above, Thanks for reply's.

Lab is off the list as wifey doesn't want one.
Will look into Vizsla.

What about an English Pointer ? ........

if you keen on a pointer come out home and check out Holly and see if thats the type of dog you want before buying one and also Bagherra brought a chap out to the shoot on sunday who breeds vizla cross for deer hunting he is out on the raglan road pm Bagherra if your interested i sure he would help you touch bases with him.

Originally Posted by mucko

if you keen on a pointer come out home and check out Holly and see if thats the type of dog you want before buying one

From your pics, theres not a lot of 'pointer' in your pup as such, more the german pointing breeds.

BushHunter, Forget the Spaniel breeds and the Pointer (and when I say Pointer, I mean the one commonly called an English pointer, even though tis true name is just Pointer) for deer work. While there are indivisuals of both breeds that will do it, they are the exception, and probably poor examples of their breed. If you want to use another pointing breed for deer, such as Vizsla, GSP then go and look at a lot of dogs before you commit.

I'd say Lab, but as mentioned above it may be a case of retraining your missus. Nothing is irreparable, just be prepared to put a fair bit of work into her to get her right again. Good luck

Originally Posted by Pointer

From your pics, theres not a lot of 'pointer' in your pup as such, more the german pointing breeds.

BushHunter, Forget the Spaniel breeds and the Pointer (and when I say Pointer, I mean the one commonly called an English pointer, even though tis true name is just Pointer) for deer work. While there are indivisuals of both breeds that will do it, they are the exception, and probably poor examples of their breed. If you want to use another pointing breed for deer, such as Vizsla, GSP then go and look at a lot of dogs before you commit.

I'd say Lab, but as mentioned above it may be a case of retraining your missus. Nothing is irreparable, just be prepared to put a fair bit of work into her to get her right again. Good luck

1/4 English 1/4 GSP 1/2 WireHair apart from the whiskers of the wirehair she does have a strong resemblance to GSP still a pointer thou isnt it Jim

Originally Posted by mucko

if you keen on a pointer come out home and check out Holly and see if thats the type of dog you want before buying one and also Bagherra brought a chap out to the shoot on sunday who breeds vizla cross for deer hunting he is out on the raglan road pm Bagherra if your interested i sure he would help you touch bases with him.

Cheer's Mucko I may just do that, Will Pm you when time permits, Thanks.

After reading a bit and a little bit more .... Eyes going square. Some topics I found here : http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...ing-dog-12950/ ... http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...t-timer-14000/ And from googleing, I now think im a little confused with what to go with. I will keep researching and reading and also look for breeders in the Waikato/BOP area to talk to and go from there.

Deer Stalking
(with a little small game hunting to)
Tramping
Bush Walks with the kids
Family Dog
Live in town.

Originally Posted by BushHunter

After reading a bit and a little bit more .... Eyes going square. Some topics I found here : http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...ing-dog-12950/ ... http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...t-timer-14000/ And from googleing, I now think im a little confused with what to go with. I will keep researching and reading and also look for breeders in the Waikato/BOP area to talk to and go from there.

Deer Stalking
(with a little small game hunting to)
Tramping
Bush Walks with the kids
Family Dog
Live in town.

Hey mate I have a 1 year old male GSP pup that you can have a look at if you are over my way anytime, then you can see what you are in for...

Originally Posted by camo wsm

Hey mate I have a 1 year old male GSP pup that you can have a look at if you are over my way anytime, then you can see what you are in for...

Thanks mate, I will send a PM when I do head over that way, Cheers !

Maybe go meet some GSPs first too can do your head in as a first timer, pick the wrong blood line and you'll have a mental Olympic runner on P on your hands!


Wifey keen with a mutt? I've seen some great working collies/huntaways (what I call a Kiwi Collie) turn into great deer dogs.


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