juice Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I did post in the Springer thread earlier in the week , but no replies so far. I have a client going to view Welsh Springer pups Sat and she texted me for advice. They are a family of 3 young children, stay at home mum, never owned a dog and mum is a bit wary of dogs, just moved to 5 acres, have cows and will be getting chooks. She did the purina breed choice and welsh springers came up. Any tips? i'm not sure this breed will be too much for them, but happy to be corrected :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) They might need to do more research, go to some shows before looking at pups. I would not go with breed from a online choose your breed. How funny, my choices from an on line pick your breed very weird. Springers are nice dogs. Depends too on the containment etc on the 5 acres. Definitely a low maintenance good with kids dog needed. Good luck. However if they are actually looking at pups its probably a done deal. Edited February 11, 2015 by skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Sorry I missed your post. Welshies are lovely - the girls I've met have a bit of an independent streak but are not as intense as the working ESS. There is no split. The person I know in Vic would be great to speak with - she breeds occasionally and does tracking and agility. Details here: http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/member.asp?name=HMEAVESBIGPONDCOM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I know a couple of people here with Welshies. They seem reasonably chilled out dogs - might be a bit on the barky side, but on 5 acres that's probably not so much an issue - though containment would be important. The ones I know are involved in tracking, and in one case, agility as well - he was a funny boy - dominated by his nose, but could do amazing jumps from a more or less standing start with his head down :laugh: . From my observation a little bit aloof with people other than their handlers. I would say definitely an independent streak from what I've seen, but trainable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRG Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Practical advice needed? Mine would be - wear your old clothes and get up and personal with the adult dogs as well as the pups. It is always tricky when people come as a family to see pups, I really like the adults to come without the children first so that I can talk to them and let them see the positives and the negatives of owning a spaniel before the children get all excited over the pups. Agree with the others - not a good idea to go with the computer matching service and definitely see as many adults and pups of all ages before you commit to anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 The Purina selector told me there weren't any breeds for me... none, zilch, nada, zip... lol! That's fine though, I have 4 mutts here that might disagree with the selector... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 aside from the good and practical advice posted - perhaps the family could foster something for a while as a trial? .... Mum who isn't comfortable with dogs at all & 3 kids , & livestock, rural fencing & a new and active puppy = misgivings & heartache Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brookestar Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Personally wonder if they are ready for a dog and could think of other ways of trying one out. But it seems to me they have already made their decision. In terms of practical advice: The most important advice is to not take the dog that runs straight to them, that is likely to be the most dominant and hence the hardest to train for someone who has never handled dogs before. Also do not take the shyest dog, as again they could be hard to handle as well. People are very good at saying the dog choose them, but it didn't, it was simply the most dominant one going over to check out the newcomers, which is what dogs do. They need to read Ian Dunbars books, before and after you get your puppy. You can download them online: http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/you-get-your-puppy Also need to make sure they book into a really good puppy preschool to start ASAP once they get the puppy. Need to start investigating those things now, and also look at different vet clinics, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stressmagnet Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Off topic: I got labs and Westies. On topic: Cannot recommend Dunbar's books highly enough. And to try and talk them out of bringing the kids along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted February 12, 2015 Author Share Posted February 12, 2015 Thankyou. She came in last week to have her hair done and she started to ask for advice about dogs, i suggested taking her time and to look at breeds she likes.My first thought was a Cav, but she said she didn't like the goggle eyes. I did suggest an older dog, as she has 3 young kids, hubby works long hours and she is not dog savvy, but hubby said no to that, wants a pup . She wants low aggression , (assume purina test wording), low shedding, medium, easy to train,loveable to kids. She said the breeder shows and parents are hip scored, but had no idea it was the score itself you needed. The pups are only a month old, so can't take them yet, so hope she may get back to me after she has seen them before she decides. I just thought i could give her feedback on suitability, i knew plenty in the UK ,but they worked as gundogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denali Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 My auntie has always owned WSS and of all her dogs i would say its the females who are the most stubborn and independent + a tad crazy. Her males were so placid and aimed to please. Gorgeous dogs though. Her current dog is quite high drive though, moreso than the others. So hopefully your client has picked some lower drive lines. OT: did two dog breed quizzes- first one i got English Springer- happy enough with that. The second my top match was a goldador! Excuse me while I go make a gumtree ad "Wanting to trade 3 cavaliers for a goldador." The others standard poodle, lab, golden and sussex spaniel. SO bizarre they put the first there.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbaudry Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Nothing much to add to the breed qualities (I know a few that match the descriptions above, but have never lived with one). However, I would hope the breeders do their share of homework too and assess the suitability of the family. I see quite a lot of people turning up at training with rarer breeds they chose on looks alone and that are a far from ideal match to their lifestyle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipsqueak Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Random thought... is she up for,the grooming, being on acreage and w 3kids? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denali Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I missed this part- i personally wouldn't say they are low shedding.. though not as bad as say a golden retriever. But definitely a shedding breed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) One of my first replies to her was check grooming, and she said they just needed trimming? I texted her last night, and told her to ask lots of questions when she goes, and that if the breeder puts her thru the ringer it was a good sign. She is also interested in crate training, i have no idea on that ,but again said talk to breeder. I still think an older welsh would be better, hopeing its a good breeder who will steer her right, the breeder is listed on dol. I will see her Mon for kids haircuts, so hope to get an update then. Any tips i should give for crate training? Edited February 13, 2015 by juice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Purina test found non suitable for me either :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emigremlin Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 (edited) I have a welsh springer and the grooming is surprisingly low maintenance. They have the most amazing coat dirt and seeds just fall out. (yes even after I got him desexed). On mine the hair only really grows long on a few feathered bits (I believe that varies a bit between individuals) so even trimming is optional I trim ears and pee feathers and occasionally paws(paws probably need trimming in the photo). Not a lot of shedding much less than a labrador let alone some of the other long haired dogs I have known. Mine at least is happy to run long distances (we run 5-10k on leash often with no signs of tiring) but very calm and quiet at home. Loves to play with other dogs but not that friendly with strange people. Affectionate once you are part of the family though. (sniffs in their direction then runs back to me, barks if they go in for a pat unless there are treats or a ball involved) Eager to please but easily distracted not much will get through to him if he goes into bird mode. Random thought... is she up for,the grooming, being on acreage and w 3kids? Edited February 14, 2015 by emigremlin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Nothing much to add to the breed qualities (I know a few that match the descriptions above, but have never lived with one). However, I would hope the breeders do their share of homework too and assess the suitability of the family. I see quite a lot of people turning up at training with rarer breeds they chose on looks alone and that are a far from ideal match to their lifestyle. I would hope so too. She is also interested in crate training, Sounds as though she has been reading US books. Be interesting to hear how they went. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Update, they went to see the pups, i had told her to write a list of questions and she did. The breeder is on Dol, and sounds great. Breeder thought 5 acres would be exercise enough, however i'm not sure they mentioned they wouldn't be walking it, i have told them dogs don't normally self exercise, so will mention it to her again. Breeder recommended a trainer, i suggested K9Pro's puppy school which is very close to them. Breeder said no difference between boys and girls really, i had given all the advice on here. So they are selling the pups now so have to decide quickly, think that decision has already been made judging by the pic she sent me of one of the kids with a pup :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 I realise this is totally ot, and will probably be slammed - I love WSS, but would just like to say "how about a Cavalier?" They move right in to your home, train you how to do things the right way, love the kids, cause few problems. I sell pups with confidence to "dog-dills" because I know it will be all good. If they haven't bought one, (and they probably have) ask them to think about it/ Medium grooming, shed like hell, otherwise just perfect and there were be no problems. Only from the most reputable breeder who does heart tests on the parents and ancestors and has specialist results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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