Let's talk spaniels

[Laurelin]

So I was just thinking I don't know very much about spaniel breeds at all. Then I realized how sad that is because I have 5 spaniels. I really only know about papillons and not much else.

So just a general spaniel discussion here. I tried looking it up, but it doesn't seem like people talk much about spaniels at all on here. What's your spaniel breed like?

 

[milos_mommy]

I know Springers are really cool, VERY attached to their families and sometimes not super friendly with strangers but usually shyer rather than aggressive. Most that I know adore children, at least their own.

I know a clumber spaniel, too. She's got horrid medical problems. I think she'd be a great dog if she wasn't so sick.

 

[Laurelin]

I have a friend with a springer who says I'd probably really like them. I've only met one a long long time ago though. All I recall was he was really really active.

Pretty much the only spaniel other than paps and chins I've been around much is American Cockers. It seemed like everyone had them growing up.

 

[Dogs6]

Springers are lovely dogs. I have Taz and although he's not exactly what I had in mind when I got a springer he is the friendliest dog I have met (and I was raised with labs!). However he's the only one I've had personal experiance with and he's field bred so I don't know how much difference that makes

He loves anybody that wants to pet him.
He NEVER barks. He's 2 now and I can count on one hand how often he has ever barked.
He loves other dogs and will put up with a lot from them that the others would not.
He ADORES water/swimming, I sometimes wish we didn't live right next to a beach because nearly every day he comes in soaking wet
He seems to be inexhaustable but he knows that he's not allowed to play inside the house (because this is a small house and we like it as it is :lol-sign: ) so when he comes in he is happy to curl up and settle down.
He is the most obtuse dog EVER! I was walking him one day and he practically tripped over a rabbit and he didn't realise until a few minutes later what it actually was, he just kept running along :rofl1:
He is a very easy dog to live with.

He's just overall an amazing dog. Despite anything I may have said to the contrary (He was good today )

 

[Ilyena]

I really only have longer personal experience with my own cavalier, know some more of course but not as well so I'll just describe my own Dante.

He's extremely people-friendly. Loves everyone of all sizes/looks/whatever strange features some have without having been socialized much to different kinds of people, thus he would go home with the any strange person he sees if given attention...

He's a shadow at my feet wherever I go, and protests loudly if he is not allowed to follow (no barking however as he hardly ever barks, he just whines). Gentle, curious and loves to snuggle. Sleeps a lot and does not tolerate heat well (in the 30 degrees celsius we have had lately he just wants to be indoors, so not much of an outdoor summer dog). He HATES water, he just barely tolerates standing still to be bathed after much training.

Overall I think the breed is fascinating. Easy to train, handle and live with provided the dog is not left alone for hours on end and gets sufficient exercise (mine is completely satisfied with two half hour walks a day).

 

[Paige]

My mom had springers when I was small. THEY WERE INSANE. That's all I remember about them.

 

[PWCorgi]

I want a brittany.

 

[Dogs6]

My mom had springers when I was small. THEY WERE INSANE. That's all I remember about them.

taz is insane as well but he saves it for outside. If you leash walk him for a week he'll still sleep when he comes back inside and then when you let him free he will literally run for 3 hours and come in and sleep the same amount of time :lol-sign:

 

[Laurelin]

Thanks guys! come to think of it, I have met a couple cavs too. They seem so sweet and easygoing. I think springers might be a bit much for me. The one I knew was probably one of the most active dogs I've ever met.

I somehow get the feeling though that papillons are the odd stepchild in the spaniel family.:lol-sign:

 

[jenv101]

I grew up with an English Springer (when I was born til I was 8 or 9)- he was my dad's hunting dog, but also my play mate since I am an only child. I dressed him up and made him act in plays, that's about all I remember of him lol! He put up with me, and was a very good dog. I do remember him being DA to other males, and also to strangers. My parents didn't get him fixed right away so that could have been why.

Just remembered I have a couple of old pics online...

 

[CharlieDog]

I've had limited experience with spaniels, aside from Brittanys and Cockers.

Most Cockers I've met have been very laid back easy going family dogs. They were all hard to house train I know that. Could just be byb though.

Every single Brittany I've met has been nuts. They were all hunting line dogs, very well bred. Could have just been the line, they were all bred on or from Nolans Last Bullet (very very famous Brittany) and didn't really seem to be about people. They were all about the birds though. Gorgeous dogs. Very high drive and energy. They'd make awesome agility dogs every one of them. It coould just be the line, but I wanted a more handler oriented dog.

 

[SpringerLover]

Frist-Brittanys are pointing dogs. I know Canada calls them spaniels, but they are pointers, not flushers.

Second-I adore my spaniels. They're quirky and silly and goofy and generally easy keepers. I have two abnormal dogs though, so I'm not sure how biased my opinion is!

 

[Pops2]

a field bred boykin is a very nice smart dog. they have plenty of hunting drive but can also just lay still for long periods (comes from the turkey hunting background).

 

[Paige]

It actually amazes me how many people have had crappy experiences with cockers. I have loved everyone I have ever met and nearly came home with a pup because I was just so in love with her.

 

[Laurelin]

I -love- cocker spaniels. I just have so many fond memories of them from my childhood. All my neighbors had cocker spaniels it seems. They were all wonderful. This one couple had two name Sam and Buddy and I adored them. They were my favorite dogs after our own dogs.

I don't see nearly as many cocker spaniels around as I used to. I wonder why.

 

[Kat09Tails]

My next dog is going to either be another papillon or a clumber spaniel. I've always had spaniels my entire life and I love them. I love their passive aggressiveness, I love that they're soft, and I love that they start to look like a goat between grooms. The downside of them is that I've only encountered a few that were water dogs, their prone to ocd, and they do tend to run slightly independent. A major downside is breeders don't always breed for temperament. I've met a fair number with a CH in front of their name but the dog was neurotic as a bag of ferrets.

 

[Laurelin]

Have you had any spaniels other than paps? Just curious.

 

[Kat09Tails]

I have a Am cocker spaniel currently among my flock. Our last was an english cocker.

 

[Laurelin]

The main reason Im asking is because I ADORE the paps, but I want something bigger next. Are any of the larger spaniels similar in temperament? I grew up with almost all herding breed dogs (and a lab), so I'll probably end up going that direction. But the spaniels have been tugging at my heart lately.

I love the look of English Cocker Spaniels.

 

[Kat09Tails]

I'm a dog groomer so I do see a fair number of spaniels in the course of my job. Cavaliers are a bit like the more sheepish papillons. They are a nightmare of health problems though even among the better lines.

English springers tend to be a little more hound like. The welsh I've met seem to be nice slightly reserved family dogs.

I would take a strong look at the sussex and english cockers. american cockers are merry little foot slappers but I think the english are way more stable temperament wise.

I've sadly never met a field spaniel.

Clumbers I like because they are low key and for the most part very happy dogs. There are a fair number of them here in the pacific NW. I'd like to get one as my next hunting dog.