I want a Springer.. but ! :(

Ok
so realistically you are being very very sensible and if you don't have family and friends who could help with dog sitting during the day or a dog walker that is rustworthy in the area, and neither of you could take the dog to work with you perhaps a canary is a goog solution for the time being.

However so you get some springy affection you could always help one of the local springer rescues in your area with home checks dog assessments or transport runs of a weekend. Or see if there is a local ST er who could do with an occasional dog sitter, I'm sure we can all think of some way for you to get a springer fix.

QUOTE (selina @ February 22, 2008 09:50 pm)

Or see if there is a local ST er who could do with an occasional dog sitter,

Do you live in Inverness by any chance?

great that you have asked
Thinkl a canary would prob be the best option unless yo have a network of friends/family that will walk and help you out.
Springers are cute puppies /wonderful dogs but they love human contact and like to be busy all of the time.
They are also love MUD and your home will never be clean or free of dust lol
Maybe the time will come when you have the time for a springer
When you do have the time I think the springer you home will be a lucky one.
If you look at my two springers in the pic below sleeping soundly and think wonderful

remember that they have just had a 2 hour RUN and this is Daily

whether the sun is shining or it is belting it down with rain

Springers need commitment /training and walking in all weathers

They are not fair weather dogs

Hi there

Agree with the others that you would need a good support network at the moment to be able to have a springer. We work full time, but for ourselves, so our lucky enough to be able to take Daisy with us to work and flexible enough to be able to take her out 3 times a day.

I volunteered for a rescue centre for a while before we got Daisy, which was really rewarding, so agree with Selina that getting in touch with a local springer rescue would be a good place to start getting some Springer cuddles.

Good luck!

i work between 8 and 6 but am fortunate that my office is across the road and i can take a couple of hours at lunchtime

you could probably find that if you were able to return home for your lunch break, an older springer would be content with a walk before and after your work and a stroll in the garden for calls of nature at lunch - if you and your wife are able to stagger your breaks you could ensure your dog wasnt left for more than 4 hours.

failing that, tropical fish are much nicer than canaries

my pups have a godmother! One of my friends is desperate for a springer, but her OH says no, and it would mean a bit of change with their current lifestyle - so she has two godpuppies that she can come and coo over whenever she likes instead

QUOTE (polly @ February 23, 2008 12:05 pm)

Yes, it's funny how we get more visits from some of our friends and my sisters since we got Daisy - not to see us, mind you, just to get Daisy cuddles!!!

When I worked full time I ended up getting Bessie, mainly as a compaion for Chaz. They were both around 7 years old and kept each other company. But I had a dog flap put on the back door so they could let themselves out whenever they needed to. Also it meant early morning walks and then getting home from work, changing, opening the boot of the car and going to the forest. Commitment to let them run is a must but with this arrangement they were happy dogs. (Oh forgot to mention that at the time I didn't have the committment of children to add into the mix either!).

Good luck.

Stick to the Canary!! Its really nice you have taken the time to actually find this information out before you got yourselves a springer and well done for that.

I have an older springer and to be honest I am very very lucky because he is just perfect - he has never chewed and never been a problem - but and its a big but he is very rarely left for any length of time - probably 4 hours at most - although I did leave him for 10 hours once and there was no problem whatsoever, but I think this is the exception to the rule.

I agree with all the others, whilst its nice to have a springer and you can walk and be with them weekends its not a good idea to leave them on their own for long periods on a permanent basis - after all would you like being left all day 5 days a week with no company.

There are plenty of rescue societies who would welcome some help so go and offer, even if its just walking the dogs weekends, they will be really grateful.

Have fun but don't do it - you'll get so fed up that you'll end up having to get rid of the dog, as much as you wouldn't want to do it you could be in a situation where you would have no choice.

Hi!
We used to both work when we had our border collie.
We had a retired lady who used to come in and walk bess at lunch time.
In no time at all she used to collect her at 9am and have her until we got home!
On many occasions the local farmer used to take her from the lady to "work" with him for the day!
Now I just work a couple of nights and we work Moxie's walks etc around our work pattern. My husband is able to go in late on my sleep day, and I take her for her walk as soon as I get up, around 3pm.
Spaniels need loads of stimulation so you are right not to have one unless you can provide this, but I recommend that you see what possibilities there are for a dog minder, but don't get a puppy.

Maybe when we have our 1st baby we'll get one as we have decided that the wife will be at home for most of the time then on maternity leave.

In my experience I'd plan at least six months after the baby, give everyone time to adjust?

QUOTE (vic @ April 06, 2008 07:39 pm)

In my experience I'd plan at least six months after the baby, give everyone time to adjust?

I agree with that one as you will have your hands full with a baby and would not have the time to dedicate to settling in a new dog or housetraining a puppy.