English Springer Spaniel: Training, Temperament, Exercise, Grooming, Health

(Springer Spaniel, Springer)

Group: AKC Sporting Dog and KCGB Gun Dog

Also Known As: Springer Spaniel

Ranking: 26 in AKC, 3 in KCGB

About English Springer Spaniel

Their hazel or brown eyes generally have a kind, happy expression and their tail is almost always wagging happily.

Coat Color

Springer Spaniels come in liver and white, black and white, blue or liver roan, any of which may have tan markings as well. The field version often has more white than the show or bench bred stock.

Coat Type

English Springer Spaniels have an outer coat and an under coat. The outer coat is medium length and can be flat or wavy. The dense under coat is short and soft. The dual coats are weatherproof, waterproof, and resist thorns. The ears, legs and chest have moderate feathering.

Height

18 to 21 inches, ideally 20 inches for males and 19 inches for females

Weight

40 to 55 lbs

A 19” dog should weigh about 40 pounds and a 20” dog should weigh about 50 pounds.

Personality

Temperament of the Dog

The Springer Spaniel has a gently, happy enthusiastic personality. They are devoted to their owners and will usually bark to alert their family of an approaching stranger. Springer’s do best when they with people as much as possible. If lift alone too long they will often get into trouble. Springer Spaniels love water and will often get themselves wet and muddy. They get along well with other pets, except birds, and have been known to become argumentative with same sex dogs.

Better suited to an indoor or outdoor lifestyle?

English Springer Spaniels are active energetic dogs. They do best with a good-sized well fenced yard. Springer Spaniels will do OK in an apartment but need sufficient daily exercise, long walks and off lead play time. They are often inactive indoors.

Are they suited to homes with kids?

Springer Spaniels love everyone and are very good with children they love to spend time with people.

Activity Level

How active is the Breed?

English Springer Spaniels are a very active breed. They require daily exercise, long walks and off lead play time. Springer Spaniels do best with a large-sized fenced yard.

Exercise Need

The Springer Spaniel is a very active dog and needs lots of exercise to be happy. They will enjoy all the exercise you can give them. They should have long daily walks and time to play off lead. They love to swim and retrieve.

Grooming

A Springer’s coat will need brushing about twice per week to deter matting, especially around their ears and feet. Their ears also need regular checking for signs of infection and the hair should be kept shaved on the under side of the ear to help prevent infection. The hair on the feet should be kept trimmed to prevent picking up burrs or branches.

The English Springer Spaniel is an average shedder.

Health and Care

Genetic Problems

English Springer Spaniels tend to gain weight easily, so do not over feed and keep the exercise up. Some lines are prone to hip dysplasia, eye problems (PRA), the blood disorder PFK and epilepsy.

Breeding the Dog and any Cautions

Canine PFK Deficiency is a genetic disease that affects some English Springer Spaniels. Carriers of the defective gene can be easily identified by a DNA test. Before breeding, Springers should have this test. Dogs that are found to be carriers of the gene should not be used for breeding.

Litter Size

Average Litter size is 5

Life Span

12 to 14 years

National Breed Clubs

British – English Springer Spaniel Club - www.englishspringer.org
US – English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association – www.essfta.org

Other Recognition – classifications

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR

Rescue link

www.essfta.org/essfta/rescue.htm