Springador Dog Breed

The Springador hails from two working breeds, one a retriever and the other a hunter. Undoubtedly, this hybrid will also be very bright and trainable with a strong work ethic. They are capable hunting companions and therapy workers, as well as perfect matches for athletic, active owners. Ideally, owners will have plenty of time to exercise them every day as well as welcome them to take part in all family activities. These dogs should have plenty of space to live in and they would definitely benefit from a large property or fenced yard to run and play.

Pros

• Springadors are happy, sweet, loving family dog that is friendly with other dogs.
• They are perfect for active families, athletic individuals and hunters.
• If you are able to be firm and patient, these guys are very bright and will be eager to learn.

Cons

• These dogs are very high energy and may be difficult to train as puppies.
• They shed regularly and frequent brushings will be needed.
• They must be in a household that has plenty of time to spend with them, especially outdoors where they will require at least an hour of daily exercise.

Springadors, as hybrid dogs, will inherit characteristics from both parents but not always equally. We recommend prospective owners read up on the traits of both Springer Spaniels and Labrador Retrievers before adopting one of these guys. The following information for the Springador breed can be supplemented by visiting our parent breed pages.

These dogs are very bright and are eager to please. They are natural hunters, athletes, and even can be trained to become therapy dogs. Springadors are very high energy dogs that are even more so as puppies, therefore, early socialization and training may be difficult for a first time owner. These loving, happy dogs are also sensitive so plenty of patience and a calm demeanor will be necessary. Many Springador owners choose to put their puppies or dogs into professional classes.

Members of this breed, if trained and socialized early, make loving and sweet family pets. They are happy-go-lucky playmates for kids, however, they should be supervised by those that may be easily jostled around by their exuberant activities. These dogs love being part of the family and will quickly become bored and destructive if not allowed to do so.

Springadors are very energetic and athletic. They are the perfect companions for hunters as well as any active individual. They enjoy long walks, hikes, runs, swims and bike rides as well as playtime in a large fenced yard. Obedience training is also a great way to exercise your Springadors mind and they are known to appreciate a toy or game of fetch. Ideally, your pet will get at least an hour of outdoor exercise daily, so those that do not live that type of lifestyle should consider other breeds.

The Springador temperament can vary among individuals, even if from the same litter, based on what characteristics they inherit and from which parent they inherit them. They are very intelligent and eager to please, however, it may be hard to keep a Springador puppy's attention during training and professional classes may be necessary after the puppy stage. They may quickly become bored and destructive if not allowed to spend the majority of the time with the owner or family. If trained for basic commands and socialized at this young age, they make lively companions, hunting partners and even therapy dogs. These dogs also make excellent exercise buddies and can easily keep up with you on your daily walks, runs, bike rides, and hikes-- plus they even enjoy swimming!

Members of this breed are bright, loving, cheerful bundles of energy and while this makes them great family pets, they may be too vigorous for small children that can be easily knocked around. They may have a high prey drive, or at least a strong curiosity, for small non-canine pets and should be socialized with them as early as possible.

Springer Spaniel x Lab mixes result in puppies that should be healthier than the parent breeds, especially first generation crosses. Choosing a reputable breeder, combined with routine trips to your veterinarian, can help prevent some issues. It is recommended you read up on all possible health issues of both parent breeds before adopting one of these dogs. Typically, this breed will live from 10-14 years with few problems.

Although Springador puppies are usually healthy, some possible issues that can be passed down from the parent breeds include: hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections, eye diseases and skin issues/dermatitis. Epilepsy, hearth problems, myopathy, and OCD are more serious health concerns. Limber tail (aka "cold tail") is a condition that sometimes affects Retriever type dogs and Retriever hybrids; after over exertion, a painful but temporary neuropathy develops in the tail.