I put my border collie cross down a year ago. A friend of a friend is rehoming her Springer Spaniel. Pupper is 4. When I met her today, it was clear that the dog get very little attention - needs a groom, very over weight. Owner admits that she gets zero structured exercise. She did visit with me a bit but mostly she ran frenetically around the yard sniffing and such, ignoring the owner.
Tempted - because it is very clear that the dog does not have a good life but debating the challenges of helping her connect and learn to relax a little.
Tell me about your Springers … I know very little about the breed.
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If your border collie cross was heavy on the border you’ll be fine. They are a very very high energy breed. Timidness is not a breed trait but does seem to crop up. With structure and regular exercise I think they are phenomenal bright dogs.
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Definitely not an expert. I have never owned a purebred one, but my childhood dog was half springer spaniel (springer spaniel x lab) and a close friend has owned several over the years and has done just about everything with them.
I think if you like the border collie temperament, you are well suited for a springer spaniel. Most of them need a good bit of mental stimulation and exercise. Some of them are cuddly Velcro dogs, others are more standoffish. But they almost all like doing “stuff,” and it seems like when they don’t have enough stimulation they can develop the typical vices that follow suit with higher energy dogs.
YMMV.
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A woman at my barn has one and will bring him sometimes. My trainer has 10-11 Great Pyrenees that bark a lot; the SS out barks all of them. He also doesn’t get enough exercise.
But if you’re used to a BC and can keep it busy, it will probably work out. Many years ago I boarded at a barn where a renter on the property had one. She was never groomed regularly and we called her Smelly Nelly. Poor thing was so sweet but you didn’t want to get close to her. I would think that keeping her trimmed and maintaining the ears would make farm life much easier for you and her.
High energy, never switch off, always look towards their person, need good discipline and plenty of intellectual stimulation otherwise they will find something to do for themselves. They are gun dogs, after all. Absolutely not a dog for first-time pet owners. As you liked and managed a BC then probably a good dog for you. Around here (Cotswolds, UK) most people keep the coats short to really short because it makes for a happier dog. Long hair is for the show ring.
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I’ve had four Springers. They were great dogs. Mine were the field-bred type, not the bench lines. That meant less hair but I think a bit more energy, based on conversations with owners of both types. All were super smart and very trainable. They lived in the house with us, and we trained them so they were good citizens.
I never found them to be too energetic, but then, my family was active and they got lots of exercise. We also got them all as puppies, so they learned to adjust to my family’s lifestyle and behave accordingly. But they all did have an “off” switch and were happy to lounge around the house and just hang out. When I lost my last Springer I was so heartbroken I swore I’d never had another dog. 18 months later I got a puppy, but switched breeds to avoid comparisons with my beloved Springer.
I have such a soft spot for Springers. I still follow ESS FB groups and love to look at them.
Every one I’ve owned was a great dog. But I would be very careful adopting an adult. As I said, ours were puppies. We made sure to socialize them. That said, I just adopted a 4 year old Aussie and it’s been awesome. Obviously I’m comfortable with energetic dogs, but if you had a Border Collie you know what that’s like.
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Aww thanks! I’m actually a Brittany owner but they are similar breeds. A good friend just bought a Springer puppy and he sounds just like my Brittanys - tirelessly hunting and getting into trouble.
My dogs get a lot of attention and they would absolutely do exactly this - they would ignore me and you, and would sniff/hunt.
If you’ve never owned a hunting dog, you need to understand it is a way of life. They will hunt. They can’t turn it off. Just like a herding breed will herd/work, whether you want them to do so or not.
Gun dogs tend to make good pets because they are bred to work closely with their handler, and are typically considered “softer” as pets than herding breeds. But, of course, all dogs are individual. Temperament is inherited, so dogs in my breed can range from extremely mellow, to crazy but sweet, to serious and somewhat aloof and all still be “normal.” Then there are some unacceptable temperaments that are sharp, aggressive, or mean.
If she seems sweet but busy/distracted, I would say that sounds pretty normal. Exercise and routine will help a lot.
What it’s like to own a hunting dog. (11pm and let dogs out for one last potty trip while I was brushing my teeth.) Found my dog with a prize in my bed.
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Yes, I remember you have Brittany’s! I thought, “Well I haven’t owned any spaniels but that sounds exactly right to me. 
What would S1969 say?” Thank you for adding so much valuable knowledge to the OP’s question.
I. Would. Die. 
Ok, first I would scream. Then back up fast. Then yell at the dogs, “What are you gonna do about it now?? GET IT OUT!!!”
Please tell me it was dead-dead-dead. If that sucker was only stunned and started kicking and scratching while I’m carrying it by a back leg, I would die a second time. 
Why do we have dogs? 
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OMG I thought that was a tame rabbit that you had and you were showing how your hunting dog got along with the pet rabbit!!! I am due for an eye appointment and new glasses. 
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Yes, dead-dead-dead. My dog was extremely proud of himself, but as it was bedtime, he brought it with him. 
LOL. No. My 23 year old daughter (who lives with me) asked me last year “on a scale from 1-10, how mad would you be if I got a rabbit?” I said 11, and the rabbit would be dead within days. And showed her the photo (which of course she had seen before). Dead rabbits in the yard were not uncommon at my last house because the yard had a bunch of corners and small gaps where rabbits could get in. In fall/winter when it was still dark in the morning, I had to strategically turn on the spotlights and then give rabbits 60+ seconds to vacate before opening the doors to let dogs out. Multiple hunting dogs and a fenced in rabbit rarely end up with the rabbit winning.
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The fleas… 
My first dog as a kid was a Springer that was born blind but we loved her anyway. She was show dog style and we kept her cut that way which was quite a bit of maintenance but gorgeous. Ear infections are a huge issue to stay on top of. She could do amazing things despite being blind and had a very natural instinct for hunting the way Springers are supposed to and with zero training. But the black berry bushes where my dad hunted were too much of an issue. She did “spring” and steal some ducks he’d hung 6 ft up, she hid them well too! We’d find feathers on her cheeks once in awhile but that was it! Anyway, compared to our GSP’s and Boxers, I find the breed to be way more mellow. So really I think they’re great dogs but the coat and ear maintenance are the reason I moved to shorthaired breeds. That dog was my best friend though and got me through seriously rough times as a kid. I miss her!!! Most others I have known have been great too. One had issues with his coat and behavior but a change in diet did wonders for him, it was night and day.
There’s a reason I like soft non sporting or very bench bred “Barbie” terrier breeds. I’d die a thousand deaths and genuinely struggle to keep a dog in a home that killed another animal. I’m definitely suited for that.
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Our Llewellin brought a baby bunny she found to DH the other day. Still alive. Proudly showed him the nest and he put it back in. She hunts relentlessly outside, but will carry them softly if they let her.
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I have owned 4 Springer Spaniels, 3 from bench show stock ($$$$),and 1 from a backyard breeder ($$$). They were all very different, but none had excessive energy. Our last one, incidentally, came from the “most respected “ breeder and he turned out to be a nutcase. He was VERY dog aggressive, and could not be trusted with any other dogs. Before this last one, Springers were my favorite.
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Lots of dogs will do this, but I’ve found that some kill first, ask questions later. It’s not a good hunting trait - a trained hunter should not mangle the animal, but deliver it gently and undamaged to the handler. In competition, they will have points deducted or even failed for mangling/eating the kill. I also think that dogs that have ever been bitten by something will learn to kill faster - less chance of getting hurt. Rabbits don’t fight back but lots of other small critters get fierce when picked up.
This is why I warn people. My dogs hunt everything. Snakes, frogs, birds, moles/mice, insects, etc. My youngest pointed, then caught and killed a katydid the other night. They can’t help themselves. That is, above all, what they want to do. You can’t untrain it.
And it’s not just one of them - it’s all of them. But - that shouldn’t surprise people. Even show bred dogs are still bred from generations and generations of hunting lines. And, of course, all dogs are hunters to some extent. Be prepared if you buy a hunting breed.
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Our little Maddie goes after moles. She cocks her head and then digs frantically. She’s caught a few. She’s a field bred spaniel. No health issues until this past spring. She’s 13 years old. Her incontinence is controlled now and she’s back to being her happy self without diapers.
We keep her trimmed to control burrs she might pick up. She’s lovely to everyone. She won’t protect you or your house, but she’s lovable and endearing. She mastered the “spaniel stare” early so she carries a few extra pounds.
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Anytime someone is at the house, they watch in awe as our girls (especially the young one) point/stalk anything that moves in the back yard.
I don’t even pay any attention to it, as they are doing it 24/7. They LIVE for that shit.
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Well, this has been very helpful. Thanks all for your feedback.
I do…actually already have a pet bunny. Little bugger is almost 12. The border collie cross was great with him. She put up with his nonsense - like when he would dig on her tail or bed when she was lying on it. She would just give me a look of “are you watching this nonsense? Fix it pls”.
I feel very badly for her, it is clear she does not get much attention or stimulation. Owner did volunteer to bring her over and see how it goes with the bun. I guess I will just have to wait. I really miss having a dog and in any other respect, I think she would be a good fit.
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