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Background and Description:
The English Springer Spaniel is considered to be the oldest of the sporting gun dogs, except for the Clumber, and the breed from which all land spaniels trace their roots. He is renowned as a hunting dog for his alertness and great concentration.In today's dog shows, Springers are seen in either field trials or conformance.
This is a very attractive dog with a body that is compact, symmetrical, and well balanced. Tails are normally seen docked - shorter for show dogs and longer for field dogs. The eyes are gentle and the expression is charming.
The Springer part of the name is in reference to the springing action in flushing game from their cover.
Famous owners of the breed include both Presidents Bush.
Appearance:
One of the larger spaniels, he stands at a height of 19-20 inches, and a weight ranging between 48-53 lbs.
Color variations: Black/White, Liver/White, or tri-color - with either tan or liver markings.
Coat and Care:
The coat is long and slightly wavy, or sometimes flat, with a good amount of feathering on the undercarriage, legs and ears. Regular brushing is recommended to maintain a healthy appearance and longer coats need to be checked frequently for burrs or tangles, especially after field walking. Shedding is about average and occurs year round. Field bred dogs tend to have shorter and slightly coarser coats.
The long ears of spaniels make them more prone to ear infection. To protect against this, plan for a weekly cleaning with a good quality ear wash and interior trimming to keep the area around the ear canal free of hair.
Personality and Traits:
The English Springer Spaniel is cheerful, playful, gentle and shows his happy demeanor by constantly wagging his tail. He is enjoyed by many as fun family dog. He is a loyal and attentive companion and does a good job as a guard dog.
The Springer is well behaved, quick to learn and adapts easily to either urban or rural settings. He is very much a dog that enjoys the company of people and does best in a home where someone is around all the time and he is not left alone.
Known for his intelligence, he is eager to please and willing to be obedient.
Activity Level:
The English Springer Spaniel is a strong and active dog with stamina to spare. He needs plenty of regular exercise to stay fit and mentally contented. They love the water and game of retrieval.
Space Needs:
Can do well in apartment or house, but a back yard where he can run freely is always the most appreciated.
Children:
The well-socialized English Springer Spaniel has a good reputation with children, but the caution remains that an adult should always supervise interaction with children.
Elderly:
Most often, the Springer is too energetic for a sedentary family or elderly owners. Best for families that like to be very active with their dogs.
Book Recommendations:
AN OWNER'S GUIDE TO THE PET ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL
Covers feeding, grooming and keeping your pet healthy, breed-specific traits and how to enjoy your pet through training and activities you can do together. Authored by a breed expert and includes a special chapter on training by Ian Dunbar. Lots of full color pictures!
ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS
This book will answer all your questions about Springers concerning: feeding, grooming, training and behavior, health, breeding, and much more. Current and informative, yet clear enough for young owners to follow. Many full-color photos and helpful line drawings.
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