Spaniels are a class of dog that were initially developed in Spain (hence the "Spanish dogs" becoming "Spaniels") and later refined in England.
Spaniels were one of the first classes of dogs developed to complement the hunting of small game with rudimentary firearms. Given the limitations of the weapon, the hunter had to be close to the game before it flushed.
Spaniels are bonded to their human(s) by a very short distance. They have been selected over hundreds of generations to be happy when they are no farther away from their human than a scant 20-to-25 paces. Some call that "needy" or "clingy". While descriptive, those terms put a perjorative spin on the bond. In the beginning, the bond was functional and it only became pathological when puppy-mills churned out puppies.
Springerpoos and Cockapoos are on the list of dogs we will consider when the time comes. We are both in the last quarter of our lives. Chasing after a dog holds no joy or glory for us any more.
It would be delightful if we could take our dog out to the garden, tell him/her to sit in a shady corner while we pulled weeds and have them stay. Hunting-drive is nice but having a switch to turn it on-and-off is nicer.
Springerpoos tend toward a little larger than our optimum size. A "Standard" SP is 30-to-60 pounds with the bitches being lighter than the males.
Cockapoos tend to be a little smaller than our optimum size. A "Standard" CP runs 25-to-35 pounds. The males tend to be larger and would be more likely to hit our 30lb-to-40lb sweet-spot.
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| A cladogram of some common dog breeds. The farther the breeds are apart the greater the potential hybrid advantage. |
Red highlight are the common spaniels. The magenta highlight shows poodles. The aqua colored dot is for chihauhau (used in a lot of designer crosses) The tangerine colored dots are "Asian" dogs, also used in a lot of designer crosses.
One random fact is that different places took their local dogs and selected for specific purposes. For instance, many British Isle terriers which LOOK like German Schnauzers are in fact are very different genetically...while Boston Terriers were selected from Boxer-like dogs and so on.
Brittany Spaniels are really not spaniels. They are pointing-dogs and don't have the same invisible leash holding them close to their humans.
Both crosses will be magnets for burdock burs.
I learn so much here....
ReplyDeleteWe had a black cocker spaniel growing up. He was a great dog and though the world of my dad. He did get a haircut every Summer to manage the aforementioned burrs.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great difference between show and hunting spaniels. Little English cockers are a joy to be around compared to the piddle puppy show cockers. Hunting Springers look and act nothing like the floppy eared show breed. The breeding for looks versus breeding for work ends up with two different phenotypes. I doubt either type will sit blissfully in the garden till they are two or more.
ReplyDeleteYou can always go to a shelter and get a nice older mutt versus some designer doggy to hang out in the garden while you weed.
In general, the data supports the belief that lines of dogs that are selected to work are more athletic and have better hips than lines of dogs and breeds that are bred to win ribbons.
DeleteWe got a "bad ass" 1/4 German shepherd, 3/4 Malinois puppy 3 years ago. Our older bitches and we, trained him to be relatively low energy. Great dog, when we're outside, he guards us. Sticks close to home, no neighbors, no fences. Possums and armored pillows (and I don't know what else) are dead meat if they venture into the "yard".
ReplyDeleteNow I'm committed to stay alive until I'm 85ish.
I do not know how much training influences behavior versus breed since I have always gotten rescue dogs. With that caveat, I recommend herding breeds mainly because of Quicksilver. The additional attention and protection that they afford children are enough in my opinion to counter their activity requirements.
ReplyDeleteMy last dog was an Australian Shepherd. She fit in your size requirements nicely. Since she had been abandoned twice, she had some issues, but once we got past that she was the best dog we ever had. Protected my wife from a home invader, my grandson against a neighborhood bully, and routinely was borrowed by the husky rescue guy down the street to retrieve dogs gone astray. When she started herding the cats, it was time to take her for a walk. If a door or gate was left open, she would explore a bit, but never outside of earshot. When she barked, we paid attention.
Part of our vows to each other 45+ years ago was there will be a dog in our lives. Seems we said something about "never again a puppy to be part of the pack"; must heed that now, in part because it is a LOT of work and attention, the other BIG part is we are not likely to out-live a new pack member, being of a 'certain age'. Sounds like you have family to take care of the new pack member if you and MRS.ERJ go home before it does; suggest a strong consideration of molding a blank bundle of joy vs. adjusting the baggage and working with the already ingrained character of a non-puppy. Above all, a breed, even mixed, that needs a job will likely not fit well with the character you are looking for, in my opinion and experience.
ReplyDeleteI have two mountain feists, best dogs I ever had. They are bred for squirrel hunting.They are hyperactive, and won't sit still. But they will hunt continuously, and kill mice and rats, and tree anything larger. I trained them to return to me with a radio collar. Just vibrate the collar, and they return. Lowest maintenance dogs I ever had.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though females tend to be more homebodies than males. Males want to go all hound dog on you and sniff around everywhere. Maybe fixed they will stay home but if you are going to fix them anyway, stay with a female. Going from a shepherd to something smaller will be a letdown at first...
ReplyDeletehttps://grandrapids.https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/for/d/big-rapids-siberian-husky-puppy/7937533416.html
sam
I did look into "Huskies". I would be more interested in a retired "Alaskan Husky" than a Siberian Husky primarily for trainability issues.
DeleteGuardian breeds are wonderful critters, but bigger than you want. They have the personality you're looking for.
ReplyDeleteWe lost our corgi (at only 8 years) to lymphoma this winter. Waiting now for our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to be born.
ReplyDeleteJust like Irish Setters... $#@$!@@@ burr magnets!!!
ReplyDeleteIf *I* were choosing dogs for our family (it won't be my choice, I assure you) we'd have a Catahoula and an Australian Terrier. When the current 9 y.o. Border Collie passes, I know Dr. M will get another dog, if she's still in control. I doubt that I would if she's not around to tend to it.
ReplyDeleteBest family dog we ever had was a GSDxGolden Retriever mix. Great with the kids, no stranger - not even a woman - was just going to pull up and come bopping up to the house unchallenged - he'd put them right back in their car until he got the word, and he was hell on groundhogs. But, he inherited the predilection to developing hemangiosarcoma from both parent breeds, and crossed over far too soon.