We were at Chatsworth show at the end of august for the weekend, took all the dogs with us and made it a family affair. On one of the days ( well on most actually ) we stopped for a pint at one of the bars.
Whilst sitting back in the sunshine with the dogs quietly settled for once..a lady approached us and said

'Excuse me, can I ask you about your dog?'

Thinking she was about to enquire about one of the brown brothers like people usually do I launched into my spiel

'No, no' she said

' your springer..'

'oh' I said

'He's very handsome' ( Barnie's chest visibly puffs out at this point)

'How old is he?'

'10' I say

'oh, is that too old for breeding from' she says

'errr...yes' I say ' plus he's got dodgy hips.'

' And no equipment' pipes up my OH ( Barnie deflates at this point)

'Ah shame that' she says ' Im looking for a mate for my bitch and he's the most handsome dog Ive seen all day'

I was very proud and also a bit perturbed that this is how the mating process goes....

We were at the Vet's earlier, and there is a postcard on their noticeboard that says:

'Handsome English Springer Spaniel with GSOH required for mating with our beautiful bitch. Pedigree not essential but preferred.'

GSOH?

Have I ever mentioned it comes down to education, and not usually of the dogs

My youngest had another 2 stud enquiries at the weekend, at least one of the first questions seem to be - is he hip-scored yet! Thankfully too the enquirers are understanding that I have not made up my mind (even though that is a moot point as he currently still has a breeding endorsement).

Piper has been admired and I have been forthright in my views on mating a dog of unknown provenance (bear in mind Fred and Brice have also had offers in the past turned down). Why do people feel the only reason my dogs have their bits is cos I intend to use them at stud? Piper will be 'done' as soon as the shooting season is over unless he needs to be done before for dynamics or he needs a GA for something else. Brice would be done if he needs a GA, Moo is too old and frail and Fred - well less said there but with his known health issues he ain't having "fun" .

GSOH....that has made me laugh out loud!!!!! Im still laughing now!!

poor Barney, fancy telling a stranger that ....mind you, fancy a stranger asking ...is that like speed dating?

But, I've had three or four people, when finding out Jess isn't up for rehoming, say to me 'oh, well I'd love one of her pups'. Not quite sure if they were joking?

I guess when you're aware of rescue, your brain thinks in a different way.

Poor ol'Barnie though

And now I have an image of a lot of Springers in their finest attire trying to show off across tables in two minutes! Thanks Gilly

I remember when Angel was about a year old, i heard a voice behind me say "What a beautiful bitch" me feeling quite pleased as it was the nicest compliment i had had in a long time, turned around to find a real old farmer giles type man staring at Angel, he said she was the finest working springer he had seen in a long time, i felt so pleased. As we were chatting he was stroking her and just kept saying how lovely she was, i just happend to mention she had not long recovered from her girly op - well what a change - he told me i should be ashamed of myself for not giving her the chance to produce at least 1 litter and that i would of got quite a bit of money from her pups!!!

Even if Angel hadn't been poorly and needed the op, i still would never had bred from her, she is my first dog and dont have enough experience plus i know i wouldn't of been able to sell her pups!

Funny isn't it - how your outlook changes - Roly is extra special to us but we know he will be the only puppy we will ever have - in a couple of years we will definitely look for a companion for our boy but knowing what we know now (mainly thanks to this site) we will be looking to give a forever home to a rescue springy.

I'm not sure what he would do without his bits though - as their arrangement and re-arrangement seems to fill many a happy hour for him .. oh well, I suppose it's good to have a hobby!!!!

If that wasn't a joke, the vets should be ashamed of themselves