A dog collar that once belonged to Charles Dickens' dog has sold at Bonham's in New York for £7,340. It's a lovely old leather collar, with a large brass plate engraved with his address: C. Dickens Esq, Gad's Hill Place, HIGHAM.
Dickens adored his home at Gad's Hill, and loved his dogs just as much. An article in the
Atlantic magazine shortly after his death mentions some of his dogs:
'Quite a colony of dogs has always been a feature at Gad's Hill. When Dickens returned home from his last visit to America, these dogs were frequently spoken of in his letters. In May, 1868, he writes: "As you ask me about the dogs, I begin with them. The two Newfoundland dogs coming to meet me, with the usual carriage and the usual driver, and beholding me coming in my usual dress out at the usual door, it struck me that their recollection of my having been absent for any unusual time was at once cancelled. They behaved (they are both young dogs) exactly in their usual manner; coming behind the basket phaeton as we trotted along, and lifting their heads to have their ears pulled,—a special attention which they receive from no one else. But when I drove into the stable-yard, Linda (the St. Bernard) was greatly excited, weeping profusely, and throwing herself on her back that she might caress my foot with her great fore-paws. M.'s little dog, too, Mrs. Bouncer, barked in the greatest agitation, on being called down and asked, 'Who is this?' tearing round and round me like the dog in the Faust outlines.'
www.merrydogs.co.uk
Springer Spaniels are fabulous working dogs, and make great pets. But according to the Gundog Club more Springer owners are struggling to manage their dogs than any other gundog breed, and more Springers than ever are being rehomed during their 'teenage' years. 
