we got Rosie from wightbay which is the isle of wight ebay she was 5 months and have had no problems with her after a couple of days it felt like we had always had her they soon settle in

Thanks everyone for all the replies it has got me looking at both sides of the coins,

I have been looking through rescues both on here and througout the country and will continue to do so,

I have also contacted a number of breeders just to see if they're puppies have been -*test*-('")ed healthwise, sadly quite a number havn't

I will report back when we have found our new addition

I got Merlin from a local breeder at 10wks, I consider Griffon, his litter mate a rescue even tho he came from the same breeder as when we went back for a visit it was very clear he was in need of help Holley was a rehome from a local breeder who had finished with her

We got both Deefa and Sage as pups from different breeders.

Good luck with your search

First springer Tess - bought as puppy from a farming family. - brilliant if nervy dog.

Second - Rose - resue from RSPCA aged about 2 - wonderful, steady and loving dog.

Third - Millie - puppy from local farmer who is brother of a friend - 98% lovely dog, 2% psycho bitch

Fourth - The Noble Sir Hector - Approx 5 years old - fostered and failed for NESSR - an absolute star of a dog and a gentleman.

We might have found a new addition,

a little one from a large litter who didn't sell ,

he is looking for a home and the family would like to see if they like us and feel okay about being potentially his new family,

Will let you know,

good luck

All of my springers have been rehomes/ rescues ....

First Springer - Max 18 month old psycho whirlwind devil and complete mummy's boy. Rescued him myself from a guy who reguarly boughts pets and then gave them away when he was bored after a few months. Max had been kept shut in a small room as he was too energetic for the guy, I was at least the 3rd home for max. Sadly whilst he responded to my training he disliked small children and so I had to rehome him ... he now works as a sniffer dog for the police.


Spec ... now 2 years old came to me when she was 17 weeks old. She had been returned to the breeder through no fault of her own who then luckily let me have her as she knew I was looking for a new doggy friend.

Broc .... now almost 2 ..... a young couple were looking to rehome him as their circumstances had changed ... he was 16 weeks old when I picked him up, initially I did think it would be a foster but the moment I clapped eyes on him I knew he had to be my boy. Personally as I have got to know Broc more I think the couple realised they had bitten off more than they could chew as he is a whirlwind and a very boisterous energetic dog .... love him to bits.

I do think that rescues/ rehomes are not for everyone. Some people and their circumstances suit a young puppy much better. In those circumstances buying a pup from a reputable breeder, where the pups are healthy, well socialised and the breeder offers back up is the best place. And of course make sure you see the parents.

When taking on a dog from a rescue you need to be certain that the dog will suit your family and vice versa. When you take on a rescue or even offer to rehome a dog via friends of friends etc you need to be certain that you know what you are letting yourself in for, don't be swayed by the often heartbreaking story that accompanies a dog. I have fostered alot of dogs in the last 12 months and some of them have been wonderful, others have -*test*-('")ed my patience and skills. The rewards of rescues are wonderful and far out weigh the tears and frustration they frequently cause.

It's very exciting and I hope that it turns out well but I would be asking why the litter did not sell!?!? Check that the parents are healthy, check the pup looks healthy, don't take it on just because you feel sorry for it. If the pups have been poorly bred and not looked after properly you could be taking on big problems and vet bills. If in any doubt when you visit walk away, there are sadly lots of litters of springers born so if you are going to part with your hard earned cash make sure you know what you are getting.

Our Lady was a rehomer, and suffice to say I have always been very anti-dog but she has changed our lives.

She is a gentle girl who likes nothing better than snuggling with my poorly hubby on the sofa but will have a good run around the outside of the fenced play-park on the common if we hide inside! (The only way we can get her moving at more than a trot!)

Our usual line is that her spring must have sprung but maybe it's still just a settling-in behaviour (we only got her on sept 1st) and we have yet to see the true girl within?!

Someone else has done the hard work of training her which is good for us as we wouldn't be good at that I'm sure, so we just have to keep it up and give her lots of love.

Unfortunately very few breeders of Springers have any -*test*-('")s done on the parents. Unlike in the Labrador world where a lot, but not all, are hip scored and eye -*test*-('")ed.

I have always got my pups from breeders, friends or fellow fieldsports people. The only reason being I have known what type and breedline of springer, cocker or Lab I have wanted. In Jago's case, I waited five years before finding the Clumber pup with the right background.

If I did not need to narrow down the odds on getting a good working dog (not guaranteed by any means) I would definitely consider a rescue/rehome dog.

Steve

we thought very long and hard about what we wanted in terms of pup or rescue - i have had rescues in family before and pups - so i know what both means - although having said that i dont think youll ever know what a rsecue means ... - simply because an older dog just has its nuances already in tact .... we have just taken on a rescue - two weeks now and we are loving her and she is learning to love us - we have had no toilet training prbs, no tearing up the house probs nothing like that - but we have been learning to learn what she already likes and dislikes ... which can be difficult at times - but so rewarding when youve sussed it! tonight shes been giving me her most prised posession which a week ago she would never have done - like i say its only been two weeks but we are making progress every day.... they say it takes at least a year to get that full bonded experience - but the journey is very exciting and very rewarding - no matter how long it takes we will keep going and enjoy learning every step of the way! there are so many deserving dogs out there ..... please help them! im sure you could find one to suit you ...... and after that perhaps he/she will need a friend? the problem starts all over again - pup or rescue?!

Look forward to an update on this. Sometimes that happens I know, the pup is just the last one left. How old is this little one?