My little runt Springer was the best, most useful dog I've ever had. At 30 pounds, she hunted ducks, grouse and rabbits most eagerly until 11 years old & only stopped as I felt she lacked the stamina to carry on in the field. What a wonderful companion a Springer is. Foxton's Lady Jessica was a part of our family for 16 1/2 years and is still sadly missed. I can only justify her very much longer than normal life to the best quailty food we gave her. Love helps too.
: Note that they are a flushing breed, just what you want, but if they catch what they're after, they'll kill it. Lady had a mallard clamp it's beak onto her ear while retrieving it and after that, any crip, rabbit, grouse, or duck was head-crunched first. They are wonderful jumpers and a great joy to hunt with.
: Good Springers, field trial champ stock, will quarter on filed game without training, fetch multiples with little or no training and are soft-mouthed almost to a fault.
: My bro hunted with Lady's cousin, Foxton's Brandon Flint same basic stock and also a wonderful retriever and friend.
: Springers rule - but do shed a bit - oh well.
: Springers usually think they're pups until they hit 10 years of age, then die in the next year or two of old age.