Family: Springing into action with the family pet at Springers dog club in Huddersfield

Mar 10 2010 by Hilarie Stelfox, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“Both of them are good family pets,” he adds.

Tina, who has two dogs of her own, says the club has many family groups and encourages youngsters to join. It has a Young Kennel Club team, which competes at major events.

“Education at an early age is really important,” she says. “We do a lot of displays at shows. The message we are putting out is that if you have a dog you need to exercise it – and yourself. Dogs also need stimulation.

“It’s not just about feeding it and giving it a bed.

“The club provides socialisation for owners and dogs. We pride ourselves that we can go on a club walk with 30 dogs in a group with very few problems.”

As well as training and competing, the club organises social events, communal walks and camping trips

Mother and son, Lucy and Luke Burford, from Golcar, have been members of the club since 1995. Luke, 19, a multimedia student, was a member of the Young Kennel Club Flyball team at Crufts in 2006 with his dog Sasha, a five-year-old Labrador cross. Lucy says the club is a big part of her social life.

The family also has Ella, a collie cross, and Ozzy, a terrier. All three dogs are RSPCA rescue dogs and train in agility.

“When we joined, we only had Sasha and we discovered she was very bright and needed something more than just being a pet,’’ says Lucy, who is an insurance underwriter. “She is very quick to learn.”

They found out about the Springers when the club gave an agility display on the Piazza in Huddersfield.

“The dogs really enjoy it. We wouldn’t do it if they didn’t love it,” says Lucy.

“Ella is a really timid and subdued dog, but when she’s out there on the field she’s quite focussed and wants to work.”

Every year the club runs beginners courses.

Louise Siraj and her two children, Aisha, 10, and Rafi, 12, from Shelley, joined the beginners course in October 2009.

Louise says: “We do a lot of walking with the dogs, but we’d been to Honley Show and decided to let them have a go at the agility course set up by the club.

“The dogs did really well and we thought it would be something the children could do with them, but it’s a hobby for all of us.”

The family’s dogs, collie cross sisters Tiggy and Scrappy, are now training in agility.

“Socially, it’s helping because Scrappy is nervous and finds it difficult to get on with other dogs, but she’s getting much more relaxed,’” says Louise.

Tina believes owners are often surprised by what their dog can do.

She says: “They suddenly realise they have got this amazing creature, an animal that is fun to be with.”

Springers members make regular appearances throughout the year at events in the Huddersfield area. To find out more about where to see them, and training opportunities, check out www.springersdogclub.co.uk