This boy is coming in to us tomorrow and has been given a short assessment in his own home. His details as follows:

Age: 14 months
Sex: dog
Neutered: Yes
Colour: L&W
Vacc'd: UTD
Microchipped: Will be
Tail: Full

Currently in Scotland but could be transported UK wide. Please pm me if you are interested in him.

Assessor's initial report

"Both owners devoted to the dog but have not done any training with him at all.

He is quite a long skinny leggy springer. In fact he looks as if he has some pointer in him. They got him from a breeder in Aberdeenshire. Although he was sold as a pedigree, the breeder never forwarded any papers. They said Smudge had terrible gastric problems as a puppy but is fine now. He also had to have an op to remove a lump from his neck. They said they were never told the results of the biopsy. As I said, nice people, but perhaps a bit too mild mannered to stand up for their rights.

Smudge has a lovely temperament and just wants to give kisses. Did not bark when I arrived either. Just very friendly and inquisitive.

He is bird and rabbit orientated and spends ages looking out the window to chase the birds from his garden. Unfortunately it was raining heavily when I was there so we did not get a chance to go to the park. But he did come outside to meet my dog, and they went straight back into the house together. Smudge was not territorial in any way and wanted to play. My dog only wanted to steal his cuddly toys.

He is good with children too, although a bit too boisterous. Hence the reason for the rehoming.

As for pet or sport? Not 100% sure. Probably both. But if kept as a pet he would need a lot of training and would definitely benefit from agility or flyball as he has the build for it - like a lean collie. Very alert too.

He has not been cat checked but chases any that come into his garden. shows an interest in livestock, but stands still when horse riders pass by. But then he is always on a lead as he has absolutely no recall.

I am attaching a photo for you to see what he looks like."







Being surrendered due to a new baby in the family. He will be fostered and fully assessed before being rehomed. I believe some adjustment to his nutrition levels may be required.

O poor hun he looks sad.
I am missing a springer can foster him

Oh bless him

Well I'm up for offers of fostering, basic training etc (failed fosterers very acceptable! ) I reckon this guy need heaps of REAL springer work, a GOOD feed and exercise! Looks to me like he may have a wheat gluten intolerance (often sparked by vaccination reactions as pups) that thin leggy long look is very typical of that, but others may disagree.

If he is fostered/adopted in the Greater Manchester/Cheshire Area, I would help with training for flyball if he's up for it.

He's certainly a handsome boy!

I am in Dorset an sure some good grub and forest runs and he will be fine

What a lovely boy, hope he finds a loving home soon.

Slightly off topic, it was interesting to read your assessment of his shape as he looks very like Daisy - she's also very lean and has a similar face shape, and also has a very sensitive tummy, so I'll be checking into the wheat / gluten intolerance thing.

Off the point but what a lame excuss to get rid of a dog. If you can't cope having both A why get the dog in the first place if your trying for a baby and B Rehome the baby.

Why do dogs go from being a family member to a deposible asset once a babys born. Sorry personal hate.

At least he's being rehomed the right way poor mite, hope his found a foster soon.

I agree, but in this case it is a grandchild that is due shortly, and he is apparently a little bit boisterous around kids. If that is the case then he's better being re-homed now, than developing a possible dislike or aggression towards children.

In all fairness, the owners are lovely people and love dogs. They will be heartbroken to lose Smudge just as any one of us would be here.

If Smudge had been a laid back spaniel, he would have continued to live with them for the rest of his life.

But he is a big boisterous boy and I can understand why they are doing this. They are putting the needs of the family first, and that is something we should all do.

And I have to admit, I once gave someone a dog as a present, back in the days when I did not know any better. And what nicer gift than to give a dog lover a new puppy when their previous much loved dog has gone to the bridge.

It is just a case of it not being the right dog - it happens. I feel so sad for them.

Today will be dreadful for them.

And now for the good news

Smudge has made himself right at home. He loves playing all day with one of my dogs and knows to stay away from the old one

Very boisterous, jumps up at you all the time, serious counter surfer, always on the look out for food, but takes food ever so gently from your hand, can sit on command, has not destroyed anything, and is very loving. He also had a fairly long journey in the car last night and was as good as gold. Happy to sit and look out the window.

Negatives - the change of diet (or maybe it was his booster on Monday) has resulted in a very runny tummy.

Also he had his first bit of raw chicken. He took it into the garden and seriously growled at me if I so much as looked at him as he chewed his way through it with great appreciation

Here is a nicer picture of him. Eileen, I cannot resize the pictures. I think you will have to take over.

He is a stunning looking dog.

Pics are fine Cath. He reminds me a bit of Piggy's Toffee and he was from Aberdeen too. If it's the same breeding then in time he will likely have the same profuse feathering. Very masculine head though, a lovely boy, he will make someone a great dog.

What a beautiful young man

Molly came to me because of the family baby. Moll apparently bot him on the head. She is great with kids as a rule, but awfully ball possessive. As far as I can tell that's what caused the problem - the kid had HER ball and wouldn't give it up. Moll was younger than the boy he was about 18 months, she was a mere pup of 8 months...

I think she was ditched out of convenience, poor lamb. Anyway she has her forever home with me. She came to me as companion for my old Pol. I will never ditch her, even if she becomes an inconvenience, I couldn't do it. I promised Pol that I would look after her Moll.

Smudge old man I hope that you find your forever home.

i thinks its awful too. me and my partner dont have any children yet! but my boys (doggies) come 1st... and they will be in the same position with me when we do decide to have kids... i would never get rid of my dog becuase i had a baby on the way! i think its sad... but he is in the best place. xx

Just to say Smudge is doing well. He is over on Mull just now getting some much needed training He is being posted on agility too as he is so light on his feet and very fast.

This was one of the last pictures I took of him. S'cuse grass - it had been raining non stop for two weeks.