From the hunting fields to the show rings to household family rooms, the versatility of the English springer spaniel has served to maintain the breed’s popularity. During the 1600s, English springer spaniels were bred and developed by the Duke of Norfolk in England. The resulting dogs were originally called Norfolk spaniels until their name was changed during the following century to English springer spaniel. The dog was named for its role of springing at birds to flush them out for hunters. English springer spaniels and the smaller English cocker spaniels were both used for hunting birds, and they belonged to the same general breed of dogs. In 1902, the English Kennel Club made the distinction between the two by declaring them as two separate breeds. In 1910, the American Kennel Club recognized the English springer spaniel as a member of the sporting group.
The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized athletic dog with log legs and large ears. It was bred to hunt and is therefore built for endurance and agility. It has a double coat with a soft, protective undercoat and a medium length outer coat. Taking care of its coat requires time with frequent brushing and regular clipping. The powerful and compact build of the English springer spaniel was developed for agility and hunting prowess in the fields. English springer spaniels stand 19 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 35 to 50 pounds. English springer spaniels are bred either for showing or for hunting. Those that are bred to excel in the show ring have heavier bone structures, longer ears, square-shaped muzzles and denser coats. Dogs that are bred as field hunters have pointier muzzles and lighter coats. Both variations have longhaired coats that come in liver and white, black and white, liver roan, blue roan and tricolor. White areas on the coat may display ticking or freckles. The ears hang downward and the tail is usually docked.
Personality
The English Springer is a friendly, active dog breed that needs plenty of exercise; otherwise they’ll become hyper. They need mental and physical stimulation and love hunting and trailing. It’s an ideal companion for children and is nice towards other animals. It can be timid towards strangers. The English springer spaniel has an abundance of high energy that must be expended through daily exercise. They thrill to running, fetching, agility coursing, lure coursing, field trials and a number of other dog sports. As long as the dog is provided with ample exercise, it will not be hyperactive in the home. This makes the breed adaptable in most residential structures. English springer spaniels thrive on companionship, and they get along with children and other pets. They are highly intelligent, eager to please, obedient and easily trainable.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Spaniels |
| Function: | Sporting |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Preferred Climate: | Any Climate |
| Group: | Sporting |
| Life Span: | 12-14 Years |
| Nicknames: | Springer Spaniels, Springers |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
English Springer Spaniel Build Information
The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized athletic dog with log legs and large ears. It was bred to hunt and is therefore built for endurance and agility. It has a double coat with a soft, protective undercoat and a medium length outer coat. Taking care of its coat requires time with frequent brushing and regular clipping. The powerful and compact build of the English springer spaniel was developed for agility and hunting prowess in the fields. English springer spaniels stand 19 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 35 to 50 pounds. English springer spaniels are bred either for showing or for hunting. Those that are bred to excel in the show ring have heavier bone structures, longer ears, square-shaped muzzles and denser coats. Dogs that are bred as field hunters have pointier muzzles and lighter coats. Both variations have longhaired coats that come in liver and white, black and white, liver roan, blue roan and tricolor. White areas on the coat may display ticking or freckles. The ears hang downward and the tail is usually docked.
| Size: | Medium |
| Length (Male): | 13-20 in. |
| Length (Female): | 18-20 in. |
| Weight: | 41 – 65 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 5 – 10 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | Docked |
Behaviour and Personality
The English Springer is a friendly, active dog breed that needs plenty of exercise; otherwise they’ll become hyper. They need mental and physical stimulation and love hunting and trailing. It’s an ideal companion for children and is nice towards other animals. It can be timid towards strangers. The English springer spaniel has an abundance of high energy that must be expended through daily exercise. They thrill to running, fetching, agility coursing, lure coursing, field trials and a number of other dog sports. As long as the dog is provided with ample exercise, it will not be hyperactive in the home. This makes the breed adaptable in most residential structures. English springer spaniels thrive on companionship, and they get along with children and other pets. They are highly intelligent, eager to please, obedient and easily trainable.
| Activity Level: | Very Active |
| Affection Level: | Very Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Easy |
| Barking: | Moderate |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | None |
| Energy Level: | Very Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Moderate Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | No |
| Independant: | No |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
Brushing and combing an English springer spaniel’s coat once or twice each week will remove dead hairs and help to keep the coat free of tangles and mats. This should also be done after every hunting trip to remove burrs, leaves and other debris from the coat. To maintain the denser coat of a show specimen, brushing more frequently will be necessary. English springer spaniels have a high incidence of ear infections, so clean the ears as needed and keep them dry. Maintain good oral and overall health by brushing the teeth every other day.
| Colors: | Black, Black & White, Blue, Liver, Tri-Color, White |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Medium Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Feathered |
English Springer Spaniel Common Health Conditions
English springer spaniels live average lifespans of 12 to 14 years. Some conditions to which the breed is prone include canine hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, phosphofructokinase deficiency, epilepsy, entropion and progressive retinal atrophy.
English Springer Spaniel Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The English springer spaniels originated in Norfolk, England. English springer spaniels are sometimes called springer spaniels or springers. The English springer spaniel is a sociable and lively family companion that enjoys taking part in recreational sports, agility, field trials and dog sports. The English spring spaniel stands 19 to 20 inches tall and weighs 35 to 50 pounds. English springer spaniels have a high energy level. English springer spaniels require moderate grooming. The average lifespan for an English springer spaniel is 12 to 14 years.
| Training: | Moderately easy to train |
| Hunting Companion: | Yes |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | Yes |
| Retrieving Skills: | Yes |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | No |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | Yes |
| Security Guard Capable: | No |
| Police Performer: | No |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | Yes |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | Yes |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | Yes |
