What makes the English Springer Spaniel Unique?
A sporting breed originating in England, the Springer Spaniel is among the oldest hunting breeds in its’ home country. These energetic dogs get along well with small children as well as other pets.
Breed Groups
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| Size: | Males – 46 to 51 cm (18 to 20 inches) Females – 46 to 51 cm (18 to 20 inches) |
| Weight: | Males – 18.1 to 22.7 kg (45 to 55.1 pounds) Females – 20.4 to 25 kg ( 39.9 to 50pounds) |
| Origin: | England |
| Life Span: | 12 – 14 Years |
| Colour: | Orange & White, Liver & White, Tri-color, Red & White, Black & White, Lemon & White |
| Litter Size: | 4 to 10 puppies |
Is the English Springer Spaniel Right For You?
English springer spaniel is cheerful, playful and energetic, ready for a day in the field and an evening by the hearth. It does everything with gusto and can be overly enthusiastic unless given plenty of exercise. A dog capable of hunting tirelessly under the most difficult of conditions. The outer coat is of medium length, either flat or wavy, and the undercoat is soft and dense.
Dogs from show line will need more grooming than their working counterparts. However, most dogs should be groomed professionally on a regular basis. Owners should also take care to keep their dog’s toenails clipped as well to prevent injuries from occurring.
In 5 Words
- Alert
- Docile
- Friendly
- Responsive
- Courgeuos
Characteristics
Learn About the English Springer Spaniel
Description
General Description
English Springer Spaniels have a trim form that features lengthy limbs, double-coat, and a proportionate head. Members of this breed are somewhat longer than they are tall. They have black or liver colored noses at the end of their midsized muzzles. These dogs typically have an alert and trusting expression in their eyes. Springer Spaniels should be strong of body and capable of great endurance so that they can perform the hunting duties for which they were bred even under the most rigorous conditions
Size
English Springer Spaniels are considered to be a medium-sized breed of dog. Males should stand approximately 18 to 20 inches (46 to 51 centimeters) in height with the female dog measuring between 17 and 19 inches (43 and 48 centimeter. Female dogs generally weigh between 35 and 45 pounds (16 and 20 kilograms) with male weighing between 50 and 55 pounds (23 and 25 kilograms).
Coat
Members of this breed have double coats. The mid-length outer layer can be wavy or flat. The dense undercoat is soft in texture. Most English Spaniels have white on their bodies combined with another color. Acceptable secondary colors are liver, red, black, orange, and lemon. Tricolor spaniels are also available.
Short History of the English Springer Spaniel
The Laws of Wales which was written around 1300 mentions a dog that has since been identified as a Welsh Springer Spaniel. Yet, no one knows for certain if this animal was an ancestor of the current line. The spaniel breed was later described in Dr. John Caius’ 1576 book: A Treatise of English Dogs. Spaniels of various types became increasingly popular as pets for the nobility in the decades that followed as these folks were the only ones who were allowed to legally hunt. Gradually this pastime became permissible for commoners. These folks naturally availed themselves of this additional method to feed their families and spaniel breeds continued to be in demand.
Until the 1800s, Cocker and Springer Spaniels were born in the same litter, with the latter being larger than the former, but they eventually diverged into two separate breed. In 1899, the Sporting Spaniel Society held its’ first dog trails in conjunction with the English Spaniel Club. The English Kennel club recognized the Springer Spaniels as a breed in 1902, with the American Kennel Club doing the same eight years later. By 1924, a field trial competition had been set up in the States as well. Currently this breed is often used as a sniffer dog in various field of employ. Springer Spaniels can be found searching out explosives, illegal immigrants, and other contraband items. They also make great search and rescue dogs, even in high altitude environments and those comprised of rough terrain.
Temperament
English Springer Spaniels have been divided into show and field working lines for the past half century but dogs of both lineages may end up as family pets. Either way, these cheerful dogs were bred to spend their days hunting game. As a result, they are highly energetic and can be quite boisterous if not given enough exercise. These dogs nonetheless make great companions for families. Springer Spaniels are incredibly loyal to members of their household, but this personable breed enjoys the company of just about everyone they encounter. This breed also loves the water and the dogs will take a dip if the opportunity presents itself. However, owners should note that leaving their pets alone for long periods of time can easily result in the manifestation of destructive behaviors.
Caring for Your English Springer Spaniel
General Health
Born in litters of between four and ten pups, these dogs live about 13 years on average. Hip dysplasia is a main concern for some Springer Spaniel lines. Progressive retinal atrophy, retinal dysplasia, epilepsy, and blood disorders such as phosphofructokinase deficiency are also known to occur in this breed. Owners will additionally need to be careful not to overfeed their pets, because this breed is prone to rapid weight gain and obesity can prompt or exacerbate other health problems. From time to time a rare disease called Rage Syndrome crops up as well. This causes the affected dog to exhibit aggressive behaviors towards people and/or other pets for no apparent reason with no recollection of the incident afterwards. Rage Syndrome is difficult to diagnose and can appear at any time, but the ailment is confined solely to dogs from show lines rather than those from a working background
Care
Daily
It goes without saying that Springer Spaniel need to be exercised a least once per day, though puppies will need three shorter excursions instead of a longer one. These dogs also shed a lot and their long fur gets tangled easily. As a result, they will need to be brushed on a daily basis.
Weekly
Springer Spaniels have long, floppy ears that will need cleaning once a week. It’s also a good idea to brush their teeth regularly to prevent them from having foul breath or falling prey to periodontal disease.
Monthly
As with any breed, a Springer Spaniel will require flea, tick, and heartworm prevention medication on a regular basis. These products are typically administered once a month.
Grooming & Bathing
Dogs from show line will need more grooming than their working counterparts. However, most dogs should be groomed professionally on a regular basis. Owners should also take care to keep their dog’s toenails clipped as well to prevent injuries from occurring.
Exercise & Training
While these dogs were bred to hunt and perform that task admirably, English Springer Spaniels also enjoy leashed walks and obedience training. They will be good house pets if they get enough physical and mental exercise. Owners should note that letting their dog play in a fenced in area will probably not provide the stimulation that this breed craves and this practice should be augmented with more diverting pastimes such as playing fetch. Puppies of this breed do well with being exercised for short periods of time three times a day. Only dogs that are over 2 years old should participate in long periods of exercise because their bones need time to develop before that can safely occur.
English Springer Spaniel Picture Gallery
