Shooting UK

From guns and gundogs to the latest shooting news; the complete online network for the British shooting community.

Do I train my springador as a spaniel or as a lab?

Do I train my springador as a spaniel or as a lab?

Careful observation of your springador as it develops should help you make your training decisions.


Thursday, 03 August 2006

I have a young springador that I wish to train for roughshooting. As this dog is the result of mating a springer spaniel to a labrador, should I treat its training as though it was a labrador or as a spaniel?

A:

The early training for either breed is the same.

You will need to establish a good bond with the puppy at heel and close to your side before progressing to any areas which would apply specifically to either breed, such as hunting live game for the gun as a pure-bred spaniel would, or long-distance handling as required for picking-up with a labrador.

You can try and choose which path you wish to follow, but I have found through experience that continual assessment of your springador as it develops should help make some of the decisions for you.

It is possible you will not get the best of both worlds. If you over-develop the dog's long-distance retrieving skills, it could seriously affect control when you then expect it to quarter close to you when hunting for game to flush within gunshot.

As you intend to use the dog for roughshooting, then good close control is essential if you are going to fill your gamebag.


CompPrevious
What are the storage rules for shotguns and firearms?

What are the storage rules for shotguns and firearms?

A:The age limits under the Firearms Acts for young...

CompNext
What is the law on trapping polecats?

What is the law on trapping polecats?

A:The polecat is listed in schedule 6 of the 1981 ...


Guns

Remington 1100 G3 shotgun review

Remington 1100 G3 shotgun review

Remington shotgun: 44 years after it was first produced, Remington... Read more


More in Guns...


Sporting Answers

I am 15 years old and buying my first gun, which should I choose?

I am 15 years old and buying my first gun, which should I choose?

I am 15 years old and am saving up to buy my own gun, but do not know ... Read more


More in Sporting Answers...


News

Natural England launches plan for uplands

Natural England launches plan for uplands

A document which examines how our uplands will be managed over... Read more


More in News...



Comments

Shooting Times Magazine

What's in this issue?

Don't miss our partridge and duck special in this week's Shooting Times (on sale Wednesday 1st September).
Plus, how to save money on feed on your shoot and as his Labrador nears the end of her pregnancy, Tony Jackson gets ready for the new arrivals. For all this and much more get down to your newsagents today!

Subscribe to magazine

Save up to 30% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today!


Latest articles

BASC submits evidence to Parliament

BASC submits evidence to Parliament

After submitting written recommendations to the HASC, BASC see... Read more


Firearms control: deadline for submissions extended

Firearms control: deadline for submissions extended

Shooting community crashes Westminster computers as deadline for firea... Read more


More in Latest articles...


Subscribe to Shooting Times

Shooting Gazette Magazine

Save up to 30% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today!