My answers would be just about the same as everyone elses

Message for twoJs you can cuddle 4, 2 under each arm and swish them a bit to make them fit They love it

One thing I would say as much as they like exercise they like companionship even more.

What attracted you to the Springer Spaniel breed?

Before getting Seren, I did an awful lot of research into the various breeds of dog - I grew up with dogs (Alsations and cross-breeds) and I knew that I wanted my children to experience the sheer joy of having a dog as a part of their childhoods, but we'd lived in flats until we were able to afford our house, so we needed a dog who was good with children. It came down to two - the Springer Spaniel and the Labrador, and Fate stepped in when a friend of a friend turned out to be the brother of a breeder of English Springers, whose bitch had just littered. We made an appointment, went along to see the pups, asked an awful lot of questions, spent time with both of Seren's parents, and his maternal grandmother, and then... arranged to come away two weeks later with an eight week old pup.

Do you think the perceptions of the breed are accurate/justified?

Some are. Until Seren left his adolescent phase behind (he's two now), he was uncontrollable. No amount of training could convince him to walk to heel, to come when he was called, the whole shebang. He was a nightmare. But now, he seems to have grasped the concept of doing what he's meant to when we're out walking, and he's fantastic with both my 12 year old and my 3 year old. His sister, on the other hand, who lives with my parents and is his litter-mate... Not so much. She is completely uncontrollable, does as she pleases, and stuff the consequences. So, not always. It depends very much on the dog, and the owners, I think.

What do you like MOST about having a Springer Spaniel?

It's hard to choose just one thing. I love the sheer joy of him. The way he bounds through muddy puddles with a gleam in his eye. The way he laughs when he's playing with the children. The way he IS with the children (he is so patient and tolerant of them, and protective, too, which is a bonus). The way he leans his head against me when I'm lecturing (he goes everywhere with me), or lies on the side of the trench when I'm digging, just watching me. The way he cuddles up with us on the sofa in an evening. The way he snores. The way he herds the cats. The way he sticks his head over the fence to say "hi" to our next door neighbour (who is fortunately very fond of him).

What do you like LEAST about having a Springer Spaniel?

The amount of barking he does at the sligh-*test*-('") thing. If a pine needle falls off a tree in a forest on the other side of the world, in an evening, once the children are in bed, Seren HAS to grouse about it.

If you could give one piece of advice about taking on a Springer Spaniel, what would it be?

Prepare to have your heart stolen.

If you could say one word/sentence about your dog, what would it be?

He's my best friend. Simple, really. But he is. We're together pretty much 24/7, and have been for the last two years - and have yet to grow bored with one another's company. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of having him as my constant companion - although I think he gets a little fed up with me, every now and then

what attracted me to the breed

as a young lad i worked on a farm at weekends and the farmer had one she was absolutally beautiful, daft as a brush,heart of gold.

preconceptions

each one's different so you carn't tar them all with the same brush.

likes

the greeting first thing in the morning, the greeting when you get in from work, the way that they let you know that your eating your dinner and they will be more than happy to help you.

dislikes

the amount of space they take up on the bed.

one sentence

undying love both ways.