Field-Bred English Springer Spaniels

Breeding Program

Ivanhoe Country Kennels has a breeding program based on the finest tradition of Springer Spaniels in North America and the United Kingdom. Our lines carry the traits of some of the finest Field Trial dogs, top sires & dams, and hunting companions of all times. With the presence of all-time great sires like Sunrise Zinger, Northern Thunders Rupert, Cortman Lane, Ivanhoe's Irish Twist, Pel Tan Roly, Cortman Garry, Badgercourt Druid, and Don of Bronton coupled with dams like Jordan Valley Ann, Ivanhoe's Samantha, and Cortman's Alice, one would enjoy the satisfaction that they own as fine a bred hunting Spaniel as could be found...anywhere!

We usually have planned litters (see Ivanhoe's Lion Hearted and Ivanhoe's Irish Mist) or pups on the ground as well as a started dog option.

Our own Ivanhoe's Irish Twist and Ivanhoe's Samantha have dominated U.S. Field Trials, as well as provided countless hours of shear hunting enjoyment for numerous years. Whitey, as he is called, is a third generation National Champion who is the winningest field trial dog in the U.S....ever! Sammy, our female, has placements in four U.S. Nationals and was awarded the U.S. National Guns Award as "the dog they would most like to shoot over on a day's hunt." Both have wonderful dispositions and were easily trained.

 
Puppies

We have a highly selective breeding program, and as such have one or two maximum, quality litters per year. Typically we accept written inquiries outlining your needs so that we can best fit you with a puppy that will grow into the finest gundog and companion you will ever own. Deposits are requested when our litters are approximately two weeks old. We have found that this works best for all parties involved.

Our puppies are ready to go at seven to eight weeks of age at the earliest. All pups will have been wormed, will be current on vaccinations, and will be deemed healthy by our veterinarian. All of our pups come with a satisfaction guarantee, and carry a health guarantee. Our puppies range in price from $800 to $1,200.

 
Started Young Dogs

It has become our policy to hold back a puppy or two from time to time. The purpose being threefold:

• To evaluate first-hand the type of dogs our puppies develop into for the purpose of "tweaking" future breedings.
   
• To get puppies off to a good start in their development.
   
• To seek out future field trial dogs and breeding stock.
  

On average we place three "Started Young Dogs" per year. A started young dog may range in age from four or five months to a year old. A started young dog has a number of advantages over a puppy, in our most humble opinion:

• We have the facilities and working know-how to get puppies past numerous early-on problems, such as training or socialization. This reduces the possibility of acquiring that rare "dud" which crops up in everyone's breeding program.
   
• We can provide young dogs in varying degrees of development to better fit into a hunting home.
   
• Generally young dogs are a great value because the contracted sale price is considerably less than the cost of having a young dog "professionally trained."

Started young dogs can be placed at their current level of development, or contracted to be at a particular level based on the new owner's needs. Started young dogs range in price from $1,500 to $3,000.

 
Finished Dogs and Field Trial Prospects

We occasionally have finished dogs, "ready to hunt" and field trial prospects. These dogs come with a conversion program, which basically means we are available to demonstrate and work with the new owner to maximize the transfer of training.

Finished dog and field trial prospects start at $1,500.

Special note: While we do offer training for pet dogs in the Canine Good Citizen program we do not professionally handle or train field dos in field work.