When we decided to get a springer spaniel I did not fully understand what we were taking on but we were only a young couple then so we contacted a friend of a friend who had a litter available.

I had no idea of what health tests the parents should've had, like so many others, I just wanted a puppy.

We picked Tipsy up and I'm sure she always associated that traumatic time with me as she definitely decided she was my husband's dog from the moment we entered the house.

To try and find out more about the breed, I decided to go the Crufts on Gundog Day. Well, that was an eye opener! I couldn't understand why these dogs (apparently the same breed as Tips) had droopy eyes and long, lanky ears. Their coats were long and trimmed and they lacked the enthusiasm for life that Tipsy oozzed. It was a relief when we entered the Customs and Excise Marquee and there on the table, quivering with excitement was a Tipsy lookalike.

From this day out I found out that in fact, there were two types of springer spaniel (not officially). The working type (like Tipsy) is a determind character, solid in body, highly driven and alert and living life in the fast lane. Then you get the laid back, lolopping version appearing to have no zest for anything much.

So it begs the question; what do you want your dog to be?

1) A couch potato who ambles along beside you, mooching and stopping to toilet then ready to go home.

2) An ever ready tracking machine, tail whirling, head down and away you go for two hours!

It is safe to say that Tipsy kept us on our toes when we first had her. Absolutely adorable but with an extremely stubborn side that sometimes had me red faced and stamping, she always made it up to us with her funny antics. Taking to our increasing family I have videos of her gently taking her ball out of Hayley's hand when she wanted it back! She took the chasing her in a baby walker as a challenge and escaped every time, seeming to relish in the fun. Being used as something to pull themselves up with, she gladly seemed to be unbothered about having her body used as something to lean on while the girls were learning to walk.

I believe we have very lucky to have Tipsy, she's old and gets grumpy now but the girls are old enough to realise she's a pensioner. Its hard to believe she's twelve and a half when you see her darting in and out of hedges and bunny chasing, leaping into brooks, swimming after ducks, bringing you piles of bottles and sticks - anything to retrieve.

Dogs this lively are not for everyone though. To have a 'working' springer spaniel means they need to be exercised every day without fail - if you don't take them for a walk - on your head be it!!! Not just a quick trip up the local park, they need to free run and get the opportunity to use their natural ability. Be prepared to go out in all weathers, working springers do not care about rain, snow, sleat or fog. Indoors they need further stimulation, playing with toys, hiding their toys, teach them tricks etc. Tipsy knew the names of five different toys which you could ask her to fetch one at a time (before she went deaf). She knew her left paw from her right. We can still balance a treat on the end of her nose and on her paw and signal to her that she can have it after a short pause.

I don't have personal experience of owning a show bred springer but if a quiet family pet is what you are looking for then maybe they are for you.

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