Anyone got a springador?

So these designer dogs – anyone got one? If so what are the pros and cons? We have owned terriers, collies , Dalmatians and the family are considering this ‘ breed’s.
All help welcome

Friend of mine has one, it’s an enormous pain in the arse, never sits still, constantly chewing things and making a nuisance of itself. Not sure if that’s down to the breed or just this dog.

Seems healthy enough though.

We’ve got one. He’s not a designer breed, he’s a mongrel.

We had Springers previously and though the lab side might make for a calmer dog.

We were wrong. He’s a total box of frogs but is an amazing dog. 20 months old and still very much a puppy, albeit a big strong one. Ours is basically a Springer in a mostly Lab body. Clever, excitable and loves everyone. Loves running with the bike or pulling a scooter – gets excited at walk time anyway but if the harness comes out he goes proper mental. Not destructive at all but did go through a chewy phase at around a year old. Grew out of it though.

If you get one, be prepared to work hard to get it how you want it. Nearly two years in and we’re still not quite there – recall is letting him down as he gets distracted by stuff VERY easily. If you’ve had Collies and Dalmatians though, I reckon you’ll be alright.

Obviously this thread is useless without pics. Here’s Doug to explain why…

2019 10 04 Doug 01 by Rob P[/url], on Flickr

2019 10 06 Doug 01 by Rob P[/url], on Flickr

2019 09 08 bike 098 03 by Rob P[/url], on Flickr

2019 08 29 Wells 10 by Rob P[/url], on Flickr

2019 080 60 bike 082 01 by Rob P[/url], on Flickr

2019 08 22 bike 078 01 by Rob P[/url], on Flickr

Also, I reckon they should actually be called Labradingers.

The theory is great. You get the best of both worlds don’t you? The steady, biddable Labrador and the busy work ethic of a Springer. Except that isn’t always how it works out. I know a few Springadors, some of which are fantastic dogs, work really hard and easy to train. But I also know a couple of powerful, driven, work obsessed nutters that take some really careful and strong ownership, totally unsuited to a family pet environment.

My personal opinion (which will no doubt differ from loads of folk….) is that you should choose a breed based on what you want it to do. I know a bit about gundogs, and know through experience what the breed “average” temperament is like for many different types, and have seen how that can go wrong in the wrong environment. Springadors tend to be bred to work, not to be family pets, and unless you are prepared to put literally thousands of hours into harnessing the physical and mental energy the thing will come with, then I’d respectfully suggest you rethink.

The reverse of the coin in “designer breeds” is the unethical side, with any old Cocker Spaniel thrown together with any old Poodle to produce the “live teddy-bear” that is the Cockapoo or whatever. Yes they’re cute, yes, they make great pets, but they come with an enormous potential cost to the dog……but perhaps that’s a subject for a different discussion.

PS @colournoise Doug looks like a cracking dog with a cracking life!

Colournoise great pics and info….

A Springer Lab crossbreed? Yeah, got one of those.
He’s coming on for 12 now but still pretty active despite lots of arthritis in hips and forelegs, collapsed disc in back and a heart valve issue.
Placid, loves people and most other dogs (but hates Boxers with a passion for some reason!)

Pretty food driven, would hoover up anything if you let him, whether dead, alive or previously eaten by him or anything else.

Doesn’t come out with me on bike now due to his arthritis but still managed an average of 8 miles a day for last 2 weeks of holiday in Wales.
Absolutely loves water and swimming.

The steady, biddable Labrador and the busy work ethic of a Springer.

A colleague of mine used to work as some sort of dog whisperer/trainer and she’s adamant that there’s no such thing as breed related behavioural characteristics.

What are the potential issues for Cockapoos scapegoat? Genuine question, as I have one!

@spin
That’s really not true though. If it were true then springers/cockers wouldn’t be the best for bird flushing, labs wouldn’t be the best (arguable) for retrieving, German shepherds the best for police dogs, collies best for herding, etc.

Unless she means that not all labs are food obsessed and not all springers are mad….. But even then I think she’s on very shakey ground!

We have a 22 month old Labrador – gundog stock – rehomed because she was hyper, but loves her ball / running etc. Met someone out walking with their “Springador” – same colour, size – just a slightly bushier tail and a white patch on the front – couldn’t really see what the fuss was about. What I do find perplexing is people getting these energetic breeds, couping them up at home all day and wondering why they’re a bit ‘mental’.
I took ours for a 10 mile run this morning followed by an hour in a field full of other dogs chasing ball and she’s still ready to go.

Chances are, that you’re going to get a right pain in the arse of a dog. Spaniel bit will, unless well trained trained …. off into the next County not to be seen for hours, while the Lab bit will just look fat and ugly. It will leave your house smelling like a Jock’s back side and looking even worse – best of luck BTW. Having owned four Springers and a Lab – I would not not bother with either again.

We’ve got an accident of a dog – Working Cocker crossed (sha..ed) by a poodle, best dog I’ve ever had – will work all day and sit on my lap all night without messing up the house or smelling like the above.

We have a Borador (lab-border collie) mongrel.
He’s very similar, incredibly smart, sooo fit and powerful and very loving and protective.
Bit barky when on lead and like above doesn’t get on with “bull” breeds for some reason, but I can’t envisage a scenario he would ever be an issue to anyone.
Given lots of toys and bones he has never chewed anything, and happily takes his baby blanket to bed every night.
Here’s the “but”. He takes a ton of exercise to keep him sane. Walks in fields 3 times daily runs through the woods and he is always ready to go again. Really he needs a job to be truly satisfied. Performs tricks for fun, learns new ones in minutes and in the words of his 17yr old bed buddy he’s an ultimate best friend.

You know who loves designer dogs? Breeders who mass produce to keep up with latest fashion demands and to maximise profit without a care for the wellbeing of their ‘stock’. It’s a dark business.

benv;

Similarly, so called Pedigree breeders of the Kennel Club ilk, breeding in faults instead of breeding them out.

Our “designer dog” happened when a nearby Blue Merle collie caught whiff of an adjacent farmers lab in season.

Similarly, so called Pedigree breeders of the Kennel Club ilk, breeding in faults instead of breeding them out.

Absolutely. Should be locked up for abuse.

We’ve got a Sprocker. He springs like a Springer and is mad like a cocker. Will go all day if you ask him to but as long as he gets a couple of exercises a day he’s a right lazy get.
Oh he’s weird too. Really weird. He’s hungry as I write this but it’s not his tea time so he just wonders about the living room and finds the oddest way to make eye contact. I think it’s because we laugh he thinks he gets attention and will be fed.
Wish I could post pictures!

My Labradinger Barney was 12 in September. He was the most amazing puppy, always wanted to please and loved being trained. He was from working stock, a golden Lab and liver English Springer Spaniel. He’s almost 100% black and most people think he’s a lab. Loved to run and chase but always came straight back.

Unfortunately he has had elbow dysplasia which we manage with drugs and pills and short walks, plus treats have been replaced with carrot sticks and cucumber to maintain a healthy weight.

To sum up, he’s been a brilliant super calm dog and I’d definitely recommend getting one. I was able to choose the pup that was very ‘people oriented’ from just a few weeks old….if that was a clue to his fabulous nature.

Friend of mine has one, it’s an enormous pain in the arse, never sits still, constantly chewing things and making a nuisance of itself.

That sound like a lack of training and exercise! Don’t get a dog that has been bred for generation after generation as a working dog and expect it to wan’t to sit still .

A colleague of mine used to work as some sort of dog whisperer/trainer and she’s adamant that there’s no such thing as breed related behavioural characteristics.

No such thing as bad dogs, just bad owners.

These are both really working breeds that are designed to hunt, flush and run all day. We had a working lab, 2-3 walks a day but never really happy unless walking playing or eating. Never had a Springer and from what I’ve been told wouldn’t have one unless I could work it. Plenty of dogs in rescue centres that would love to be rehomed. Could I suggest a Greyhound. We have rehomed one in the past. Brilliant dog. Will take as much or as little exercise as you can give. Very chilled animals and just grateful for a very large 3 piece to lounge on.

What are the potential issues for Cockapoos scapegoat? Genuine question, as I have one!

I was just using the example of the very popular cross/mix to give an example of the market driven by greed and of course the demand through social media et al. Unscrupulous breeders simply keen to make a quick buck, using farmed puppies has become an horrendous industry. The fieldsports world is full of reports of stolen spaniels, with many owners now terrified to let the dogs out of sight. The increase in thefts has coincided with the burgeoning market.Thatbsort of breeder is not screening out potential congenital issues, such as dysplasia, deafness and eye problems that both breeds can carry, or temperament issues Cockers have been known to suffer from rage syndrome, and though very rare, casual unscrupulous breeding is going to miss it. That said, the Cockapoo is heralded as one of the more healthy mixtures, and of course the cuteness and non-shedding coats make for great house dogs.

So I wasn’t necessarily singling out the Cockapoo, but it is a great example of a market driven mix.

As with most things in life, popular usually means that they are good at what they’re built for. My “Cockerpoo” if you want to call it that, is by far the best dog I have owned in over 50 years of dog ownership.

+1 to that, ours is a working cocker mum standard poodle dad. Food obsessed, so dead easy to train and recall, spends ages in the garden just sniffing about, but equally happy to curl up at your feet or on your lap.

The only thing she does that is slightly annoying is that if she can find a pair of my socks (only mine) on the end of the bed waiting to be put away or whatever she will steal them and shred them. Not shoes, no-one else’s, just mine, clean or not. She’ll even at times try and steal them off my feet. But we know not to leave socks about.

And she can also shred an ‘indestructable’ toy in hours.

We’ve got a 2 year old Springador and an 18 month old Sprocker and coming from a history of Doberman ownership, I can attest to their very different natures. The Springador is very much food-driven (that’ll be the Lab in her), has a fantastic temperament and is quite laid back despite the Springer in her. The Sprocker is an entirely different beast, wired to the moon. Friendly and affectionate but when she’s out she’s constantly on the ‘hunt’. They both thrive on mental stimulation so you have to keep them entertained almost constantly so we’re putting them both through gun-dog training for the next few months. They were both the wife’s choice…personally, I’d trade them both in for another Doberman. Loyal, obedient and intelligent. Outstanding dogs.

Springers and Labs need huge amounts of exercise and training – if that’s your thing, go for it.

My sister’s lab is lovely, but very hard work.

My sister’s lab goes through ‘indestructable’ stuff in minutes. New lead every few weeks.

Family think I am mad having 5 cats (3 pedigrees) and for various reasons, are all indoor (we have an outdoor run for them) – all 5 are easier than a single lab !

A colleague of mine used to work as some sort of dog whisperer/trainer and she’s adamant that there’s no such thing as breed related behavioural characteristics.

Then she is mental!

Charlie is our lab springer x , 7 now and just the loveliest natured dog you could hope to have around . Loves a good walk or trail ride but equally happy to spend a day on her cushion by the radiator. That was not necessarily the case for the first few years when she definitely needed a good walk off the lead every day and she definitely has the lab appetite and an obsession with playing fetch with sticks that are way to big .

most importantly she has been brilliant with our 2 young kids .

Our designer dog is a cross between a happy accident between an ambitious jack russell and a collie. She has the stubborn nature of a terrier and the intelligence of a collie. So basically is a nightmare but we love her. She is actually pretty chilled out and 30-45mins walk twice a day seems to keep her happy.

No such thing as bad dogs, just bad owners

Not strictly true….my in laws had a few Springers but then got a wrong un. Was just an odd dog and very Unpredictable.

but hates Boxers with a passion for some reason!

Because they are complete and utter bellends.

We often meet a bloke locally who walks a couple of boxers. My dogs were wary of them (Lab and a Cocker-separate!) and the guy told me it was common for other dogs not to trust boxers, as the flattened facial features means their body language is hard to read. There’s a lot in this, and I always watch other approaching dogs to see how they are reacting to mine. I make mine sit down and wait until the other dog shows friendly interest or wary, even fearful behaviour. If we can read their body language, then they must be so much better at it.

A colleague of mine used to work as some sort of dog whisperer/trainer and she’s adamant that there’s no such thing as breed related behavioural characteristics.

Then she has never met a collie.

I have a sprocker and she is certainly the perfect dog. Will work for hours, have a 30min kip and it is like she hit the reset button and raring to go again. Go nuts for walks, will do backflips when she sees the bike come out but also very trainable, not greedy and loves lounging around the house chilling with the kids. She has never shredded a toy, she sits in the front garden watching the world but doesn’t wander off. She just loves being with me, whatever I am doing. She is awesome.

“Everyone thinks their dog is the best dog in the world, they are all correct.”

*said someone once.