springer spaniels

[ummmm]

How much excercise do they need?

He goes out everyday. Usually to a place where I don't need a lead, where he can run round like a loony and a dip in the stream. But how long should he be running around for to keep him fit and healthy?

[lankeela]

Once they are adult, its not so much a question of how much they need, but how much you can give them! They were bred to work all day in the shooting field so are capable of going from early morning to late in the day.

Have you tried doing something else with him such as obedience/agility, which not only exercises their bodies, but also their minds?

I would have thought a couple of walks a day with some free running would keep a normal pet springer in good condition. Obviously the fitter he is, the more he will want/take so as I say try to find something else to occupy him.

You could train him to 'pick up' and join your local shoot as they are always in need of good dogs and he would earn his keep too. Try to find a gundog training class in your area.

[ummmm]

He's 5. I got him from a family who didn't want him. He was in quite a bad state and didn't even have a lead. At first i'd take him to the fields, all hills and bushes. He loved it but would be wacked after about half an hour. We started taking him to the park then because he'd got to know us. Took him back to the fields yesterday, stayed for an hour. He ran non stop. Got home and he still wanted to play.

He did fall asleep when I didn't play with him and was snoring very loudly.

[lankeela]

Sounds like one very happy and contented dog! Thats the trouble with a breed like this, people take them on and expect them to lie around all day and be lap dogs, then wonder why they are chewing, barking and generally causing a nuisance. Any breed bred to work needs to be kept occupied both physically and mentally.

[ummmm]

Thanks. I'll make sure I'll do more than take him out for a run around in the future. He seems to love the car so I suppose I could take him with me all the time (short journeys only of course)

[lankeela]

Please be very careful if you leave him in a car - there are lots of dogs being stolen from cars in supermarket/service station car parks, and if he is friendly
he would probably go with anyone. (Not that you said you'd leave him in a car, just a reminder in case you hadn't thought of it).

Sorry. don't mean to frighten you, but if you go to www.doglost.co.uk you will see what I mean.

[ummmm]

Thank you lankeela. Your've been so helpful. I want to change this poor little dog from scared (he wets himself if I shout at him) to a loved, healthy and happy dog. I have three kids who love him dearly and he knows it!!!!

[hammerman]

Our 3 year old springer will run for 25 hours a day if you let him. He loves nothing more than a 2 hour walk especially if there's lots of bushes and streams involved !!!