The English Springer Spaniel is a cute, affectionate bird dog with a lot of activity, endurance, and intelligence. Sport hunters adore working Springers for their versatility as gorgeous, polite pets during the week and dependable hunting partners on the weekends. English Springer Spaniels are strong, muscular hunters that reach 19 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 40 and 50 pounds. They are bred for long days in the field. The breed’s beloved distinguishing features include the double coat, which comes in a variety of hues and patterns, the long, luxuriant ears, and the gentle, trusting expression of the eyes. The stride of a springer is smooth and covers a lot of lands. Springers are extremely trainable people-pleasers due to their breeding for intimate human interaction. They yearn for the company and suffer when left alone. Springers are courteous dogs who get along well with both humans and other animals. They want to participate in every family activity. These tough spaniels enjoy swimming, playing fetch and chase, and taking long walks.
English Springer Spaniel
friendly / playful / obedient
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
20 inches (male)
19 inches (female)
Weight
50 pounds (male)
40 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
12-14 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a English Springer Spaniel
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Although English Springer Spaniels are typically healthy dogs, there are a few health and genetic screening issues that are particular to the breed. Elbow and hip dysplasia as well as vision issues are disorders that can occasionally be found in the breed. Breeders who are responsible will check their stock for illnesses that the breed may be predisposed to. The teeth should be washed frequently with toothpaste made for dogs, and the ears of the Springer should be constantly examined for indications of illness.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- PRA Optigen DNA Test
- PFK Disorder DNA Test
- Elbow Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
Weekly brushing will assist to keep the Springer's coat healthy, shiny, and free of mats. It will also help to eliminate dirt and stray hair. A metal dog comb or slicker brush can be used to untangle any knots. The Springer's coat can be clipped and neatened-up by the owner or sent to a professional groomer, paying special attention to the paws, the areas around the head and neck, and the area under the tail. As with all breeds, the nails should be periodically cut because excessively long nails can hurt the dog and make it difficult for it to run and walk.
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 socialization 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 behaviors can result if he is regularly left alone for long periods of time.
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.
History
Dogs referred to be “cockers” or “springers” were frequently born in the same litter over the course of the lengthy history of Britain’s land spaniels. Before sports spaniels like the English Springer Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, and Field Spaniel could be divided into the diverse breeds we know today, it would require many generations of cautious, deliberate breeding.
For hunting upland game birds, the springer-type spaniel initially appeared in England centuries ago. Prior to the development of the wheel-lock weapon in the 17th century, springing spaniels were used in conjunction with hunters who used nets, falcons, bows, or some combination of these to bring down their prey. Springers quickly established a reputation as obedient and dependable gundogs following the revolution brought about by the hunting rifle. The role of the English Springer is to locate game birds in tall grass or bramble, flush or “spring” the birds out of hiding, and then point and retrieve the falling bird. According to breed literature, Springers will toil assiduously all day in the field before retiring to the comfort of family, hearth, and home after a successful day of hunting.