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Location: Essex UK
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,949
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I've waited till this morning to post this as apart from being hectic yesterday I wanted to digest the meeting with Chip properly and not act Rashly.
Well he is definetly a Springer, his photos may not show that but in the flesh as soon as you see him he is all springer, I've just never seen one his colour before.
Anyway he is the most wonderful little chap, Typical springer like a coiled spring but he contains himself so well and has lovely manners around the house. They have taught him lots of things and he is a real fun dog who wants to learn anything you can throw at him, also because of his lovely nature it will enable me to get out there and do some bits like obedience, field trials and I want to see if he can become a Pat dog.
We went on a walk with Mark his owner and he is great fun off lead his only downfall which I don't think Mark sees as it was said by the rescue that the owners had said he ignores other dogs when out, was that each time a dog appeared Chipp was there with his nose rooted to its bottom or undercarraige (and we only met male dogs) actually stopping these dogs from walking and one lady got very annoyed and Mark had to run over and retrieve Chipp, as she had her dog on led and actually couldn't move with her dog because of Chipp. There is no aggression with him he is just obsessed. His recall is otherwise okayish, he won't run away but it may take severall whistles to get him to come back, that all just needs working on and sharpening up.
Its the obsession with other dogs sexually that worries me with Shady as she is a bitch and won't cope with him being full on with her when we meet the first few times especially the way she is with other dogs she doesn't know.
He is entire though and the rescue have said he has to be castrated either by them or me, so I am going to ask them if they will go ahead and get it done asap so hopefully its done before I meet him with Shady.
I know a lot of that will be learned behaviour now and so soon after being castrated will not make a huge difference but it will be easier in the long term to work on that learned behaviour if his hormones are not there ruling his head.
While I was there I was besotted with him and apart from the little issue I mentioned he is completely everything in the Spaniel I have always longed for over the years. He is very devoted to Mark though as Mark is to him and Marks wife Michelle is heartbroken at having to part with him, but we got on very well and there were lots of hugs and tears from them when we left.
Chipp has always been with them and has his own passport and is well travelled, Spain and Switzerland and other countries, they took him everywhere and love him to bits.
Anyway after a night to think of all the pitfalls and good points I have decided to contact the rescue this morning and say we want to go ahead, but we would like the castration sorted before he comes here as it will be enough of an upheavel him leaving the family he loves without getting shoved straight into the vets to have that done as well.
We then have to pass a homecheck as well and the final decision will rest with Shady and if she can feel happy being with him.
So its a long way from being cut and dried but he is a wonderful lad that if fate says its mean't to be we would love to have join and be part of our family.
Now if you got through that lot I think the tea and biscuits are on me
Just to add will go and post the pics we took yesterday in the photo section, Pics certainly don't do him justice though.