Springer

Isn’t Springer just so adorable?  He is a male Golden Retriever/Lab/Border Collie mix puppy.  Whoever is so lucky to add this sweetie to their family will be getting a compact well-balanced dog, a great family dog.  His black coat is short and shiny with adorable white markings on three of his paws, his chin, neck and chest.   Springer is in his foster home with his two siblings.  

Springer will be a medium/large sized dog (about 50 pounds full grown), sturdy … not too small, not too big… gentle, affectionate and friendly nature.  Of course, you have to get through the crazy puppy stage, but he will become, when trained and socialized properly, a fantastic dog! 

Springer is very affectionate and does not want to be left behind, he will go to the ends to find a human to be around.  He is a high energy pup, active when awake and then loves to snuggle when he is tired.   He is very intelligent, and eager to please.  He does struggle with confidence so will need his humans to lead him and guide him through everyday obstacles with a lot of positivity and praise.  He learns quick and thrives to make his human happy when doing something he is asked.  Outside he has a little curiosity but will not wander far, keeping an eye on his humans.  Inside he has no problems occupying himself with toys and chewing on bones.     

We will only consider a home where someone is home or has the capabilities to come home throughout the day multiple times for little playtime/walk.  Puppies need to be taken outside for bathroom breaks very regularly when they are small and will not be able to hold it for an 8hr work day.  We are also looking for families that are fully aware of the time commitment of a puppy and the work involved.  Puppies are a total joy and bring so much love and happiness into a home, but you cannot underestimate the work and time involved in raising a puppy properly.  They need constant supervision while young to continue expediting the house-training stage and to ensure they aren’t chewing on anything inappropriate.  We are also looking for a family that will crate train as we fully believe that this is the best for pups and offers them a quiet and secure “den” to call their own.  A crate trained pup is a blessing as it offers a safe place to put them when you can’t be watching them all the time.   

We will consider a home with children over 6yrs of age.  Springer is at the terrible nippy/jumpy/bitey stage and will be too much for younger children.  If there will be young children in the home (6yrs to 11yrs) then we would need the family to be experienced dog owners who are fully aware of how to manage a young, excitable puppy with young, excitable children.  Supervision is key and the adults in the home would need to ensure that puppy/children management is a task they wish to take on.  For a home without young children we would consider 1st time dog owners.  

Any family considering him needs to take obedience training and socialization seriously and have the time to dedicate in the 1st year especially of the dog’s life to this. We will be expecting our adoptive families to attend puppy socialization class immediately upon adoption, along with, at minimum, level 1 obedience school after.  The guidance and lessons learned in puppy classes are very important to getting your pup off to a good start.  We handle his every day and will be offering him everything he needs to be the best pup he can be when he leaves our care but we need the adoptive families to take over for us when they get him home.  We take our responsibilities very seriously and only want the best.   The more that is done in their 1st year, the better dogs they will be!  

A home with the same size of dog and well natured will be good for him, but without other dogs is just fine as well.  A home with a cat would be fine as well keeping in mind that proper training and supervision is key around a cat.  

Springer won’t be suitable for high-rise apartment living, however as long as his exercise needs are met he will do fine in a low rise apartment/condo building.  Keeping in mind of course that while he is settling in, a crying puppy in the crate when no one is home is to be expected so if an attached living situation, there must be good noise barriers to avoid neighbour complaints.  Springer is catching on to house-training well but still need a set routine for outside potty times.  Expect to take him out every few hours, after every meal and after crate time.  

Springer will be suited for higher energy activities so active people would be a great fit, he will need approximately 60 minutes of exercise every day, not just simple walks around the block though.  A home with a fenced in yard would be ideal and convenient for puppy training but is not mandatory.  He just needs easy and quick access to a grassy spot outside for the million trips out for potty training a young puppy needs.   

Adopters will be responsible for the continuation of puppy vaccinations and all other required vet care at their veterinarian of choice.  Springer has had everything medically that puppies their age should have and has been microchipped as well.  The forever family must also not have any holidays away planned for months coming up after adoption or be planning to move in the near future.  Stability is key in months after adoption.

We adore Springer and will settle for nothing less than a dedicated, loving family that is well aware of his breed requirements and the needs of this breed mix.  We also are looking for families that want the dogs they will grow to become, not just the little bundle of furry cuteness.  If you have been thinking about adding working breed puppy to your family and have the time and patience to properly raise a pup then Springer may just be perfect for you.  We know you will fall in love with him as deeply as we have when you meet him.  He is simply adorable.