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Nice Steve. I like dogs with real tails but I don't blame the lack of one on the dog.

Great pictures Steve! I wasn't aware that Springers took to water with such eagerness. Very nice!

Yup they do. I've seen a friend's Springer beat another friend's Lab to the dummy thrown by the Lab guy; both great, well trained dogs.

Not to HJ Steve's thread, but this little story doesn't warrant its own. This afternoon I had Pete, my young Pointer, out at the Richland County Club searching for any pheasants missed by the morning pack. Pete located one in the rushes at the edge of the 10 acre fishing pond. For the past three days we have had a strong thaw with a lot of rain yesterday; it's now about 20 degrees f. I thought, when that bird goes, it'll be over the pond and I'll probably put it down on the ice. That's what happened. There was 6 to 8 feet of water between the shore and the ice shelf, and Pete was dancing back and forth about 20 yards one way and the other trying to figure out how to get to that bird 60 or 70 yards away. He took a leap to the edge of the ice, skitterred to his feet and skid-trotted to the bird, picked it up, still flopping, brought it back to the edge of the ice and jumped to shore. Now I'm afraid the little SOB is going to think he can walk on water.

That reminds me of the story of the guy who had a Lab who could walk on water; many of you have heard it, so I'll repeat it only on request.

I've had labs and springers and I think springers take to water as well or better than labs... at least with more panache .

I learn something new every day - thanks guys. I'm delighted to know this as I've always wanted to have a Springer. This clinches it - a Springer will be my next dog.

Dean - I have fussed around with Springers for 20 years. Great, versatile dogs. Make sure your dog is from hunting/field trial stock. Show springers are generally not going to make a decent field dog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Dallas (Post 31516)

Make sure your dog is from hunting/field trial stock. Show springers are generally not going to make a decent field dog.

John is exactly right and I think that holds true for all breeds.

Springers should be split into two breeds, the bench dogs are worthless in the field and visa-versa. If you buy a springer as a water dog be aware they get cold. Mine is a great duck hunter but she can't do it when it gets too cold. She makes up for it in the pheasant fields in spades though.

Dean, I had one for 12 yrs. went to work with me every day. Dog had a great nose and loved the water. I used to hit a heavily hunted swamp on the seacoast on Sunday afternoon, didn't need a gun, he would find cripples up in the woods and I would leave with my limit many times. Old Beufford was as hard headed as a hound though.