Temperament: Friendly, Playful, Obedient
- Height: 20 inches (male), 19 inches (female)
- Weight: 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
- Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
- Group: Sporting Group
The English Springer Spaniel is a sweet-faced, lovable bird dog of great energy, stamina, and brains. Sport hunters cherish the duality of working Springers: handsome, mannerly pets during the week, and trusty hunting buddies on weekends.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized sporting dog, with a compact body and a docked tail. His coat is moderately long, with feathering on his legs, ears, chest and brisket. His pendulous ears, soft gentle expression, sturdy build and friendly wagging tail proclaim him unmistakably a member of the ancient family of Spaniels. He is above all a well-proportioned dog, free from exaggeration, nicely balanced in every part. His carriage is proud and upstanding, body deep, legs strong and muscular, with enough length to carry him with ease. Taken as a whole, the English Springer Spaniel suggests power, endurance and agility. He looks the part of a dog that can go, and keep going, under difficult hunting conditions. At his best, he is endowed with style, symmetry, balance and enthusiasm, and is every inch a sporting dog of distinct spaniel character, combining beauty and utility.
About the English Springer Spaniel
Built for long days in the field, English Springer Spaniels are tough, muscular hunters standing 19 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 40 and 50 pounds. The double coat comes in several colors and patterns, the ears are long and lush, and the kindly, trusting expression of the eyes is a cherished hallmark of the breed. Springers move with a smooth, ground-covering stride.
Bred to work closely with humans, Springers are highly trainable people-pleasers. They crave company and are miserable when neglected.
Polite dogs, Springers are good with kids and their fellow mammals. They are eager to join in any family activity. Long walks, games of chase and fetch, and swimming are favourite pastimes of these rugged spaniels.
NUTRITION Feed the Springer a high-quality dog food appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior) and activity level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with overly high fat content. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.
GROOMING Weekly brushing will help to remove dirt and loose hair and keep the Springer’s coat healthy, shining, and free of mats. Any tangles can be worked out with a slicker brush or metal dog comb. The Springer can be trimmed by the owner or taken to a professional groomer for clipping and neatening-up of the coat, particularly the feet, the areas around the head and neck, and under the tail. As with all breeds, the nails should be trimmed regularly, as overly long nails can be painful to the dog and cause problems walking and running.
EXERCISE While they are happiest living indoors with their human family, English Springer Spaniels enjoy outdoor activities and make great companions on long walks or hikes. With proper exercise the breed can be suitable for owners living in a small house or apartment, although a home having a large, fenced yard where the dog can run or engage in play-sessions with his people is probably ideal. Daily exercise will help keep the Springer healthy and happy. This can come in the form of long walks and play sessions. The breed also exercises mind and body by participating in obedience, tracking, agility, rally, and other activities that can be enjoyed by dog and owner.
TRAINING Early socialisation and puppy training classes are important and help to ensure that the Springer grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. Springers are lively and highly intelligent, and continued training and gentle guidance are vital. The owner should be sure to be in control at all times, because the Springer is an active and forward explorer of his environment. The Springer wants to be with his family, and undesirable behaviours can result if he is regularly left alone for long periods of time
HEALTH English Springer Spaniels are generally healthy dogs, but there are there are several health and genetic screening considerations specific to the breed. Conditions sometimes seen in the breed include elbow and hip dysplasia and eye conditions. Responsible breeders will screen their stock for conditions the breed can be prone to. The Springer’s ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed often, using a toothpaste designed for dogs.
Recommended Health Test from the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- PRA Optigen DNA Test
- PFK Disorder DNA Test