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

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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.

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Comments

jane

Thu, 15th Jul 2010 17:26:33

i have a female labrador cross spaniel she is the besr dog ever all she has ever needed from me is patience and ongoing commands not changing ones just the same all the time and very repetative she is so clever and i am sure that your one is too just be patient

jane

Thu, 15th Jul 2010 17:24:51

vivien mccrerie

Tue, 26th Jan 2010 07:56:38

i have just got a spaniel lab cross he is one year old and has been brought up living in a kennel, he is now in our house and is running a riot! No house training what so ever, bu tis such a lovely wee lad that just needs some loving and training. an you advise me on th ebest way to start with him. regards viv

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!