English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a famous breed of dog that was created as a gun dog to flush, or spring, wildlife in the field.
They are fantastic friends to have when you go hiking or camping since they are athletic and adaptable, and they have been known to engage in agility, hunt tests, tracking, obedience competitions, and more. Although it would be difficult to find a more loving animal family member, this puppy needs space to run about. Beware, apartment dwellers!
For a comprehensive list of English Springer Spaniel characteristics and information, see below!
English Springer Spaniel Breed More Info
The English Springer Spaniel has long been a favorite of hunters because of the way he “springs” at game to flush it for the hunter. However, if given the proper training and exercise, this active, gorgeous dog can also make a fantastic family friend.
English Springer Spaniels are lively, intelligent, and eager to please. They appear to have a nice sense of humor and are content dogs. If raised with kids from an early age, they often get along well with them and are loving with their families. They also get along well with other family pets, even the little ones, although because they were raised to hunt birds, they could mistake them for prey.
English Springer Spaniels need a lot of exercise because they are hunting dogs, but keep them on a leash in unfenced areas because they can opt to go hunting on their own. Many owners of English Springer Spaniels who don’t hunt compete with their dogs in sports like obedience, agility, flyball, and tracking since they are such gifted athletes. They also make excellent therapy dogs, cheering up patients in clinics and nursing homes.
If guests arrive at your home, English Springer Spaniels will bark, but if you’re looking for a guard dog, keep looking. They are kind, loving dogs who anticipate attention from even strangers.
They don’t make good one-person dogs since they are extremely loving. They should not be left alone at home or for extended periods of time away from others since they are highly people-oriented.
English Springers are medium-sized dogs with drop ears and the traditional gentle spaniel demeanor. Their thick, medium-length coat covers their little body and is ornamented with feathering, a longer hair fringe, on the ears, chest, legs, and belly. The only word to describe the docked tail’s wag is happy. Their bodies are a little longer than they are tall. This is due to the fact that a dog’s body length is excessively lengthy, which is quite unfavorable for a hardworking sports canine!
These are the fundamentals, yet if two English Springer Spaniels were placed side by side, they may appear extremely different. This is true because some dogs in many sports (hunting) breeds are bred primarily to work in the show ring, while others are intended to work in the field. They eventually split into two distinct kinds, which is what occurred to English Springer Spaniels. What purpose does this serve? Read on for more information.
Since roughly 70 years ago, the gene pools of field and show dogs have been nearly entirely divided. Field Springer Spaniels are attractive and talented athletes. Their ears are shorter, their noses are usually pointier, and their coats are typically shorter.
show spring Spaniels have a squarer muzzle, longer ears, and longer hair. They are admired for their charm and stage presence. (James, also known as Ch. Felicity’s Diamond Jim, who took home Best in Show honors at Westminster in 2007, is a fine example of this kind.) Although show dogs are skilled hunters, they do poorly in field trials, where field-bred Springers excel.
You are impacted by the variations while selecting a puppy. Both breeds require a lot of activity, but if you’re looking for a companion, a field-bred Springer could be too energetic for you. Get a dog with show lineage. The exact opposite is true if you want a Springer that will compete in field trials.
Therefore, while speaking with breeders, it’s imperative to be quite clear about what you want from a Springer. They can guide you to a breeder whose canines will better suit your needs or assist you in selecting the puppy that is ideal for you. In fact, helping you locate the dog that’s suitable for you is the true measure of a quality breeder; she will do it even if it means losing a sale.
English Springer Spaniel History
Spaniel-type dogs are believed to have originated in Spain many years ago, thus their name. The Romans or traders are likely to have transported these dogs to other regions of the world. As early as 300 A.D., spaniels were referenced in Welsh law. It has been about 1,700 years since then!
In paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, spaniels with features resembling those of the modern English Springer Spaniel are shown. Before the invention of firearms, gamebirds or small animals were flushed by the spaniel by jumping at them and pushing them into the open where they could be caught by hunting hawks, coursing hounds, or nets thrown over them. Spaniels excelled in flushing wildlife for shooters when firearms were first developed in the 17th century.
Dogs from the same litter were categorized in England throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries based on their hunting abilities rather than their breed. The smaller puppies in the litter were known as Cockers since they were bred specifically to hunt woodcock. The larger puppies in the same litter were known as Springers and were employed to flush wildlife.
The English Kennel Club gave the English Springer Spaniel a distinct position in their Stud Book in 1902 and a different classification at their show in 1903. Mr. William Arkwright judged the breed at the event. He gave Mr. Winton Smith’s Beech grove Will the dog challenge certificate, and Mr. Harry Jones’ bitch Fansome won best of opposite sex. Beech grove Will became the first Champion of the breed in 1906.
A Canadian breeder brought an English Springer Spaniel into the country in 1913. A little more than ten years later, the breed has elevated to the American Kennel Club’s list of the most popular breeds. The original club of the breed in the United States, the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association, was established in 1924. English Springer Spaniels that participated in field trials one day may be displayed at conformation dog exhibitions the next day at that time.
This began to change in the early 1940s when enthusiasts for field trials started breeding dogs with traits that would result in excellent performance in the field and enthusiasts for shows started breeding dogs that were both consistent with the breed’s standard and had the “flash” to succeed in the show ring.
Field-bred dogs are not interbred nowadays since they are bred for a sharp sense of scent, speed, style, working aptitude, and endurance above all else. Both breeds can be trained to the gun and have a natural working sense, although relatively few English Springer Spaniels compete in both field and show competitions. The final dual champion—a dog named Green Valley Punch from 1938—was a winner in both field and conformation competitions.
However, the modern English Springer is a well-liked breed, coming in at number 26 among the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, regardless of whether he is a field or show dog.
English Springer Spaniel Size
English Springer Spaniels are 18 to 22 inches height at the shoulder and weigh between 45 and 55 pounds. Springers bred for the field tend to weigh a little less than those bred for the show arena. This dog has a lot of bone, enormous paws, and is fairly robust for his size.
The English springer spaniel has the traditional “spaniel” appearance, with wide, expressive eyes, a modest nose and a distinct stop at the forehead, long, feathered ears, and a docked tail. Some dogs may drool as a result of the long lips. The dog is the tallest of the spaniel breeds and has a good degree of leg strength for efficiently traversing uneven terrain.
The medium-length coat of the English springer spaniel can be flat or wavy. There is extra hair on the chest, the feathering on the backs of all four legs, and the ear fringes. Although tricolored and ticking are variants, liver and white and black and white are the hues that are most frequently seen.
English Springer Spaniel Personality and Temperament
A typical Springer is outgoing, eager to please, quick to pick things up, and obedient. Never should he be combative or timid. There have been complaints of violence, extreme shyness, and separation anxiety in the breed in recent years. These undesirable features can be the result of insufficient breeding. As with any breed of dog, it’s crucial to investigate breeders and locate those who temperamentally and genetically examine their breeding stock. Numerous elements, including training, socialization, and inheritance, have an impact on temperament. Puppies with good dispositions are interested and lively, approachable, and want to be cuddled. Select a puppy that is in the midst of the pack rather than one that is bullying its littermates or cowering in a corner. Always meet at least one parent to make sure they are pleasant and comfortable with you. Usually, the mother is the one who is available. It’s also beneficial to meet the parents’ siblings or other family members to get a sense of what the puppy will be like as an adult.
English springer spaniels were chosen as rather close-knit hunting partners because of their excellent social and working instincts. energetic and animated canines that are moderately intelligent and manageable to train. The English springer spaniel shares the retrieving instinct of most spaniels. If the dog is left alone for extended periods of time, this need may result in chewing issues.
Springers require early training and socializing. If they are not properly socialized, or introduced to a variety of people, sights, noises, and experiences, while they are young, they might develop timidity just like any other dog. Early socialization makes it more likely that your Springer puppy will mature into a well-rounded dog.
Despite the fact that the majority of English springer spaniels are gregarious and extroverted, socialize them to other dogs and humans very away. Kennels and sedentary lifestyles are not conducive to the majority of English springer spaniels. When dogs are bored, digging may become a problem.
Living With:
Given how simple it is to maintain an English springer spaniel, overindulging in sweets can result in obesity. These dogs benefit most from regular activity, whether it is from hunting, walking with you, or agility training. They are clever dogs who like working with their owners and learn quickly. English springer spaniels frequently participate in agility, obedience, and hunting trials. These canines are tough and can live into their teen years.
English springer spaniels, with their loud warning bark and at least some protectiveness, may be surprisingly effective watchdogs. If reared with kids, they get along well with them. These dogs thrive when socialized and trained from a young age. The majority of English springer spaniels want to be active, however some may be willing to be “couch potatoes.” English springer spaniels may be drawn to puddles and appear to like both water and land activities.
Although this dog needs less effort than its smaller counterparts, English springer spaniels might be a little difficult to groom. Most English springer spaniels’ owners cut their dogs’ legs, feet, and ears, at the very least. The clippers need to be handled steadily and expertly for the show clip. To avoid matting, it’s crucial to brush the long coat and feathers every day. It’s crucial to clean your ears once every week.
English Springer Spaniel Health
Although springers are mostly healthy, they are susceptible to some health issues like other breeds. Even while not all Springers may contract one of these illnesses or another, it’s still vital to be aware of them if you’re thinking about getting one.
Find a reputable breeder that will provide you with the health clearances for both of your dog’s parents if you are purchasing a puppy. Health certifications attest to a dog’s having undergone testing and been declared free of a certain ailment.
You can anticipate seeing health certificates for von Willebrand’s disease, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and Thrombopathia from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Thrombopathia from Auburn University, and normal eyes from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) in Springers. You can visit the OFA website to validate health approvals (offa.org).
- Hip Dysplasia: The thighbone does not fit securely into the hip joint due to this heritable disease. Some dogs exhibit pain and lameness in one or both of their hind legs, but a dog with hip dysplasia may not exhibit any indications of discomfort. Arthritis may appear as the dog aged. The University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals do X-ray screening for hip dysplasia (PennHIP). Hip dysplasia in dogs should prevent breeding. Ask the breeder for documentation showing the parents have had hip dysplasia testing and have been found to be healthy if you are purchasing a puppy. Although hip dysplasia is inherited, it can also be brought on by the environment.
- Retinal Dysplasia: The dog is born with a developmental abnormality of the retina. In the majority of instances, there is no discernible visual loss. When pups are 7 to 12 weeks old, veterinary ophthalmologists can do tests to identify if they are impacted. Although a dog with retinal dysplasia shouldn’t be unable to be a companion, afflicted Springers shouldn’t be bred.
- Entropion: A persistent irritation of the eye’s surface is brought on by the lower eyelid folding inward toward the eye in this disease. Surgery can be used to fix it.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): The layers of the retina are degenerating in this manner. Blindness gradually develops as a result of the condition. Springers often exhibit it between the ages of 2 and 6. Although the illness has become more common, it is still considered unusual. The illness doesn’t hurt or make you uncomfortable, yet there is no cure. With the help of their other senses, blind dogs may function extremely well. Just don’t rearrange the furnishings.
- Skin Disorders: Scaliness, greasiness, itching, pyoderma (infection), and infrequent hair loss are typical symptoms of skin conditions. The development of skin problems is influenced by genetics as well as other variables, such allergies. If you detect any of the above-mentioned problems, be sure to consult your veterinarian.
- Ear Infections: English Springer Spaniels frequently develop ear infections because to their dangling ear flaps. By keeping the ears dry and clean, you might be able to avoid the majority of ear infections. Ask your vet for ear care supplies, and if an infection develops nonetheless, get your dog seen by a vet.
- Phosphofructokinase (PFK) Deficiency: The body needs the enzyme PFK in order to utilize sugar as an energy source. A lack of this enzyme is inherited by certain Springers. Although symptoms may be subtle and go unnoticed for years, some dogs experience severe sickness, including fever, muscular wasting, and hyperventilation. A blood sample can be used by your veterinarian to screen for the deficit by testing the PFK enzyme.
English Springer Spaniel Care
English Springer Spaniels are devoted, loving dogs that, as long as they receive plenty of daily exercise, can live happily in most homes.
Your adult Springer will require different amounts of exercise depending on whether they are in the Field or the Show. Your Springer will like spending time outdoors with you as you garden, read, or barbecue dinner if you have a fenced yard or an open area where he can run around. Just like he may do in the wild with a hunter, he will gallop around on his own and then check in with you every few minutes. He’ll be able to burn off some of that Springer energy by taking one or two daily mile-long walks. Additionally, if you have access to a lake or a pool, springers like swimming.
English Springer Spaniel Exercise
While English Springer Spaniels prefer to live indoors with their human families, they also like being outside and make excellent hiking or long-distance walking partners. A household with a wide, enclosed yard where the dog can run or engage in play sessions with his humans is usually preferable, while the breed can be appropriate for owners living in a tiny house or apartment with proper exercise. The Springer will remain healthy and content if it exercises every day. This can take the shape of extended strolls and playtime. By taking part in obedience, tracking, agility, rally, and other fun activities, the breed also exercises its mind and body.
Puppies have different exercise needs.
- From the age of 9 weeks to 4 months: Attending puppy kindergarten once or twice a week is a terrific method for your puppy to acquire socialization, training, and exercise as well as 15 to 20 minutes of morning and evening playing in the backyard. Toss them a ball to retrieve.
- Ages 4 to 6 months: Weekly obedience training sessions, daily half-mile walks, and outdoor playing will satisfy their demands.
- From 6 months to one year old: Play fetch for up to 40 minutes with a ball or a Frisbee in the early morning or late at night, but not during the heat of the day. Keep your walks to a mile or less.
- At least one year: Your Springer puppy can start jogging beside you, but limit the distance to less than a mile and give him periodic pauses along the route. You may extend your runs’ duration and distance as he gets older. These progressively harder activity levels will safeguard his growing bones and joints.
English Springer Spaniel Training
Early socialization and training sessions for puppies are crucial to ensuring that the Springer develops into a well-balanced, polite companion. Given the energy and intelligence of springers, consistent training and patient direction are essential. The Springer is an energetic and proactive explorer of his environment, therefore the owner should be sure to maintain control at all times. When the Springer is frequently left alone for extended periods of time, it might lead to unwanted behaviors because he wants to be with his family.
English Springer Spaniel Food
Feed the Springer a premium dog food that is suitable for its age (puppy, adult, or senior) and degree of activity. Treats may be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, and steer clear of cooked bones and too fatty meals. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don’t. If you have any worries about your dog’s weight or nutrition, see your veterinarian.
1.5 to 2 cups of premium dry food should be consumed every day, split between two meals. Puppies can consume up to 4 cups each day.
NOTE: The amount of food your adult dog consumes is influenced by his size, age, build, metabolism, and degree of activity. Like people, each dog is unique, thus they don’t all require the same quantity of food. A very active dog will require more than a couch potato dog, which should almost go without saying. The kind of dog food you purchase also matters; the better the food, the more effectively it will nourish your dog and the less you will need to shake into the bowl.
English Springer Spaniel Grooming and Coat Color
Similar to how you could layer a sweater and a coat for warmth, English Springer Spaniels have a double coat, which is an insulating undercoat that is covered by a topcoat. Their undercoat is short, soft, and thick, while their medium-length topcoat is flat or wavy. They are thornproof, weatherproof, and waterproof when used together. On their ears, breast, thighs, and belly, they have a fringe of feathering. A clean, glossy Springer coat indicates good health.
There are many different color choices for English Springer Spaniels. The Springers with mostly white markings with black or liver (deep reddish-brown) or white markings with black or liver are maybe the most well-known. Some have a blue or liver roan color. Blue is a diluted form of black, while roan refers to a subtle blending of colored and white hairs.
Tri-color Springers have tan markings, typically on the cheeks, inside of the ears, and underneath the tail, and are either black and white or liver and white with those patterns. Sometimes there are ticking, tiny, discrete regions of black hairs on the white portions of the coat. Field Springers tend to have more white so hunters can easily spot them in the field, but Springers bred for the show ring typically have more color than white.
To make your Springer seem neater, you could also wish to trim the head, neck, ears, tail, and paws. Every two to three months, many English Springer Spaniel owners send their dogs to a professional groomer for trimming.
He has to have his floppy ears examined and cleaned every week to avoid ear infections since they obstruct airflow. Use a cotton ball saturated with a cleaning solution suggested by your veterinarian to gently wipe out the ear, being sure to just clean the visible portion. Never insert anything, even cotton swabs, into the ear canal since doing so might harm it. If the inside of your Springer’s ears smells unpleasant, seems red or painful, or if he constantly shakes his head or scratches at his ears, he may have an ear infection.
To keep your Springer looking his best and to prevent matting or tangles, brush him at least three times every week. Throughout the year, springers moderately shed, so frequent brushing will also help keep pet hair off your clothing and furnishings.
In order to get rid of tartar formation and the germs that live inside it, brush your Springer’s teeth at least twice or three times every week. Even better than twice-daily brushing is prevention of foul breath and gum disease.
If your dog doesn’t naturally wear down their nails, trim them frequently. They are too lengthy if you can hear them clicking on the floor. Your legs won’t get scratched when your Springer eagerly leaps up to welcome you thanks to short, properly clipped nails.