My bud

MikeCh

Well-Known Member
Nov 21, 2014
33
2
138
Hello, figured I'd post a picture of my pal.

This is Virgil. He's a 9 month old English Springer Spaniel.

This picture was taken when he was 7 months old while out on our daily walk/hike:

IMG_8694.jpg
 

MikeCh

Well-Known Member
Nov 21, 2014
33
2
138
One of my favorite breeds. How's their temperament around kids etc. Do they socialize well with other dogs.

Almost TOO social with other dogs and people of all ages. This is something we work on daily ;)

Being a field-bred Springer as opposed to show-stock, he's got a lot of energy....that needs letting out. Be prepared to walk at least a couple of miles a day (with him/her running and casting ahead of you) with this breed. Yes, there are exceptions but Springer Spaniels in general need lots of exercise and/or a job.

Virgil is still dragging what's commonly called a "check cord" which is a 20' length of lariat-type rope. It's our emergency brake for now. We'll gradually cut off 1' lengths as we (and he) get more control on his recall. He does good now, but could be better with recall and STOP!
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Almost TOO social with other dogs and people of all ages. This is something we work on daily ;)

Being a field-bred Springer as opposed to show-stock, he's got a lot of energy....that needs letting out. Be prepared to walk at least a couple of miles a day (with him/her running and casting ahead of you) with this breed. Yes, there are exceptions but Springer Spaniels in general need lots of exercise and/or a job.

Virgil is still dragging what's commonly called a "check cord" which is a 20' length of lariat-type rope. It's our emergency brake for now. We'll gradually cut off 1' lengths as we (and he) get more control on his recall. He does good now, but could be better with recall and STOP!

Interesting way in training him. Would he not come back right now
 

MikeCh

Well-Known Member
Nov 21, 2014
33
2
138
Interesting way in training him. Would he not come back right now

Oh no, he sticks around and "checks in" with us just fine as he's casting in front of us. He'll get out in front 20 yards or so and casts left and right off the trail as he bounds thru the sage brush looking for birds, or lately just plowing thru powder snow shoulder or more deep. From the start, we wanted to establish the invisible rubber band. If he gets out too far, we just turn and walk the opposite way....and he comes flying back and gets 20 yards ahead of you going the new direction. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

He's been running "free" (with the check cord) since 8 weeks old. The advantage of him dragging the straight rope is that if you have to get him to stop before he takes off after a spooked deer, sprinting to greet a sudden biker or runner on the trail, etc. is that you have 20' of rope to grab or step on instead of just trying to target his collar with your hand.

If I see a distraction (biker, runner, deer, etc.) ahead I will use the rope to gather him in and heel with him or get him to sit/stay. The rope is just a tool that we found useful with our previous Springer during his puppy years and also find it useful with this guy.
 

MikeCh

Well-Known Member
Nov 21, 2014
33
2
138
Thanks Steve. 40-65lbs is pretty normal with females being on the smaller side generally.

Virgil is a 46 pounder or so right now and likely won't weigh more if we keep him active and on his current feeding regimen.

Lewis, our previous boy was larger and fluctuated between 62 and 65lbs:

Lewis:
Lewis2 (Medium).JPG

Snow Shoeing 09 005.jpg
 

DEV

New Member
Oct 19, 2011
547
6
0
Great pics, thanks for sharing.

Our girls - Bostin Terriers - sisters

Going on 16 years of age, the one farthest away just loves music - when I'm listening she will be right there on my lap but facing and looking in between the speaker space moving her head back and forth - it's absolutely priceless and also loves to dance, the other one couldn't care. Anytime I'm doing anything like changing music she is right there or recently installing StillPpoints under my speakers again right there like she wants to assist or is supervising ensuring I do it properly, it's priceless and countless times puts a smile on my face. This pick was when we were camping and both just loved it, overly friendly and amazingly intelligent.

DSCN1975.JPG
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing