I know a bit about Rage. Generally occurs at 3-4 years of age in dominant males. It is only a phenomenon among show Springers, and the fault can be traced back to one Westminster Best-in-Show winner.
I concur in people's enthusiasm with field-bred Springers. I trained them for a number of years, and ended up as a trial gunner. For my money, Springer Trial gunning is the most demanding shotgunning you can get involved in. The object is to reliably kill birds at the longest range posssible in order to determine the dog's marking and retrieving ability. Tightly choked 12 bore double guns only are allowed. Many of us used heavier, larger pellet loads in the second barrel. Miss a bird at a critical point, and you may have a difficult discussion with the handler back in the parking lot. Rarely do you get any kudos for a trial well shot.
