My daughter and grandson (aged 2yrs) has moved virtually next door to us...and I want to get a dog. Had staffies all my life but wife has ruled that out. Anyone know how spaniels are with young kids? Thanks

[Dusdus]

[woofgang]

What kind of spaniel? From what background? What are you prepared to put in in the way of training and exercise? How are your daughter and grandson around dogs? Are you all prepared to teach the baby how to behave around the dog?

[factor-fiction]

Sorry I can't help on this but I I've noticed you keep posting all your questions in full in the title box and then leave the question box blank. So many people do this now I'm trying to work out whether AB doesn't work properly for certain browsers. Or is it just your personal preference?

[Dusdus]

Was thinking an Cocker Spaniel, but open to suggestions. Will buy only from a KC registered breeder. They both very good around dogs, are comfortable with them and I will spend plenty of time with grandson to ensure he knows the do's and dont's. Will put in whatever time and money is needed to train them, had years of practice with Staffies, and they take some training....as for excercise, live near the lakes and do plenty of walking. Miles in fact. Thanks.

[rowanwitch]

A springer might be better need a lot more training but they are a bit tougher and their ears aren't such a tempting target to little hands. Only problem is they are usually really intelligent and you do need to be very firm with them when they are young I grew up with a springer /border collie cross who was a darling but they can be rather bouncy. I would suggest you contact a few breeders before making up your mind... A really good springer could be around £1500 a bit less for a cocker. Check with the Kennel club for bloodlines with genetic problems Hips and knees can be a bit iffy.

[jackthehat]

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are possibly a little too 'fluffy' for your sensibilities but they are fine with children.

[Dusdus]

lol I can do "fluffy"-don't misread the fact I've had staffs!! They are just great dogs....thanks for the post

[lankeela]

£1500 for a Springer???? I'm in the wrong breed! lol A good quality well bred Springer from a reputable breeder will be in the region of £5 - 600, hip scored, eye tested and any other health checks done. I know several breeders of Springers and if anyone is paying £1500 for one then they need they bumps feeling. Springers do need a lot of exercise and also mental stimulation, but with plenty of walks and attention they are great dogs. A bit boisterous but the exercise will calm them down. Cockers are ok, but some can be a bit funny (there is a condition known as 'Cocker Rage' which makes them aggressive and protective of toys, food, bedding etc.). I would suggest looking at a club website and contacting a secretary in your area who will have a list of breeders who are club members. The KC also now have an Accredited Breeder Scheme, where the breeders have to comply with certain condition and do the health tests required for that breed. Go to the KC website and you will find details. Having said all that, with the right owners and with the right training/upbringing, you can't do better than a Staff with kids, they are known as the 'nanny dog', its only when they are in the wrong hands that they can become unreliable, and usually only with other dogs and not people. Sadly they get tarred with the same brush as some of the 'pitbull' type crosses.

[mollykins]

female staffys are actually quite good with children, they jsut aren't the cutest dogs. My dog is part staffys and she's lovely.

[lankeela]

* ANTRIM & DOWN SPRINGER SPANIEL CLUB. Sec. Mt H Houston. Tel No: 02825 880734
* ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL CLUB. Sec. Ms Y Billows. Tel No: 01606 888303
* ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL CLUB OF NORTHERN IRELAND. Sec: Mr Earney. Tel No: 028 91873465
* ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec. Mr G Ford. Tel No: 01556 502426
* ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL CLUB OF WALES. Sec. Mr Lewis. Tel No: 01639 844355
* LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL CLUB. Sec: Ms H Merry. Tel No: 01516 402057
* MIDLAND ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL SOCIETY. Sec. Mrs K Woodward. Tel No: 01709 896663
* NORTHERN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL SOCIETY. Sec. Mrs C Calvert. Tel No: 01609 772861
* SOUTH WESTERN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL SOCIETY. Sec: Mrs D Murdoch. Tel No: 01594 824779 (after 5pm)
* SOUTHERN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL SOCIETY. Sec. Mrs C Woodbridge. Tel No: 01303 875191

[mollykins]

and you should know that. Are you thinking of gettitng a pedigree or a mungrel? saving a rescue dog can be rewarding and you don't have to fork out hundreds of pounds to buy them.

[ummmm]

I had a springer......lovely temperament. They need lot's of exercise though. He would run for hours.....

[mollykins]

And many spaniels are now quite contravercial with the changing of the kc standards adog should be, spaniels can be prone to stuff like fits etc, if they are still bred to the old standard.

[lankeela]

http://www.the-kennel...spx?breed=2053&area=0

List of breeders with KC reg Springer puppies. The ones with the asterisk at the top are Accredited Breeders.

Have you thought about one of the 'vulnerable' breeds? Clumber, Field, Welsh.Sussex Spaniels are all nice breeds but not so well known. I am sure the breed club secretaries would be happy to give you information on their breed. They are classes as vulnerable because they have less than 300 registrations per year, and so are in real danger of dying out as a breed.

[lankeela]

Mollykins, what on earth have breed standards got do with a dog having fits?

[mollykins]

Spaniels were bred to a standard which meant that their brains were becoming to big for their skulls, leading some to have fits, brain damamge and bad eye sight, and thats cruelty, thats why the bbc refused to show crufts and the breed standards are changing.

Up until a few moths ago, on the kc website it said that any rodesian ridgeback born without a version of spina bifia that gives it their ridges can be culled, which is cruel and total unecessary and things like this must change.

[mollykins]

which is why non of my family have had pedigrees, we rescue dogs and give them a loving home, rather than wasting hundreds or thousands of pounds buying spoilt brats of dogs that cost even more because they get more diseases because they're more interbred than norfolkers.

[mollykins]

And don't say that thats mean to norfolkers because technically i am one.

[mollykins]

ha, i thought you wouldn't have an answer for the cruelty that pedigree dogs go through, that you pay the breeders extortionate prices to carry on doing.

[ummmm]

Molly....sometimes you are extremely rude....

All you interbred Norfolkers.....!!!