Big Dogs

[Tiramisu]

I think most of us have Yorkies. I have five Yorkies and a ShihTzu. I adore them all, but I want a bigger dog. I've decided on an English Springer Spaniel. Hubby doesn't say NO (and I probably wish he would). He only says, "Don't we have enough?" or "Why do you want another dog?"

I did look at rescue, but am so afraid of bringing an older dog around my g-kids and little doggies. So, here's a little girl I'm interested in.

[Janet]

My brother had two of these Spaniels. They need lots and lots of exercise. I think he ended up giving them to his wife's sister or something, they lived on a farm with a lake...I don't know. But he just didn't have time to give them the exercise they needed. They like to run.

They sure are beautiful dogs.

[Tink]

They're very pretty dogs, but I have to agree with Janet that 'hunting' dogs are often very hyper, active dogs.

Just like Sled dogs are known to be terrible shedders who love to run off.

Often if you consider the purpose of the breed you'll have a good indication of what they're like to live with on a daily basis.

Since you alredy have Yorkies, I'd absolutely avoid any dog that has a hunting or high PREY instinct as it could be deadly to your tiny dogs.

[Tiramisu]

Originally Posted by Tink

They're very pretty dogs, but I have to agree with Janet that 'hunting' dogs are often very hyper, active dogs.

Just like Sled dogs are known to be terrible shedders who love to run off.

Often if you consider the purpose of the breed you'll have a good indication of what they're like to live with on a daily basis.

Since you alredy have Yorkies, I'd absolutely avoid any dog that has a hunting or high PREY instinct as it could be deadly to your tiny dogs.

Good thinking - THANKS. Do you know anything about the two different breedings of English Springer Spaniels? Something about a Field Breed and a Show-Bench Breed, with distinct differences in size, activity, and behavior?

[Tink]

I really can't say I know the difference in spaniels.
I do know there's a major difference in field and bench-bred labs.
I have a bench-bred female and she's a very sedate, calm dog with a very self-assured attitude. She's got a wide, blocky look that's almost hinting of a rottie from a distance. She's content to be a couch potato and cuddle as much as she can.

I have 2 field bred labs and they're far more active, excitable and needy of large amounts of exercise. They're much narrower bodied, longer nosed, love to run and run and run... They're loving, but in a much more frantic, bouncy way. They'll lick you to distraction.

If it's the same for spaniels, they're very different dogs.

[gja1000]

I too, think the Springer Spaniel is a beautiful dog. Someone gave one to my son-in-law when my granddaughter was young, about 2 I think. They ended up having to give the dog away again because it was too hyper for the 2 year old. It was very smart and followed commands, but its need for exercise, as Tink mentioned, was so high that if not walked and exercised A LOT every day, it got so hyper they couldn't trust it to not knock down the baby accidentally.

Also, I had another friend who had a Springer Spaniel who turned aggressive toward the grandchildren when they arrived. They had to put the dog down because of this. It could not be trusted around young children.

I also agree with Tink that a dog bred to hunt small prey, might not be the best around little Yorkies.

Good luck with your decision!