English Springer Spaniel Dog Breed Profile

The quintessential hunting dog with amazing and endless enthusiasm, passion, and abilities—the one, and only English  Springer Spaniel!

The breed with a lot of love and play to offer, the English  Springer Spaniel is one of the most affectionate working dogs out there.

Out of the 15 Spaniel breeds, what does the English Springer Spaniel have from the other Spaniel breeds?

The English Springer Spaniel is the fastest out of the Spaniel breeds. They can point, hunt, and retrieve games. They are also amazing swimmers. 

Let’s take a short look back at their history!

English Springer Spaniel Dog Breed: History

Around 1570, the English  Springer Spaniel was brought to England from Spain. 

This breed worked alongside humans in hunting and working in the field. The English  Springer Spaniel was in charge of ‘springing’ to game meat that was hiding. 

By springing them out, the hidden game meat will spring out and run out. That’s where hunters can capture them after. 

Although the Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels were in the same category, they were separated around the 1920s and were recognized as two different breeds. 

Physical Traits of the English Springer Spaniel Dog Breed

Tall, proud, and elegant, the English Springer Spaniels are just that breed!

Male English Springer Spaniels can stand up to 20 inches and may weigh up to 50 pounds, while female English Springer Spaniels may stand up to 19 inches and weigh 40 pounds. 

English Springer Spaniels come in a double-colored or triple-colored coat.

They may come in Black-White, Black-White-Tan, Liver-White, Liver-White-Tan, White-Black, and White-Liver. Their markings are often Spotted, Roan, or Ticked.

The English Springer Spaniels' eyes are medium in size and oval in shape. They also have a very prominent large nose.

Despite their elongated and pointy muzzle, their nose cuts the edgy appearance of their face. 

The English Springer Spaniels have soft and smooth mouths that can carry things or smaller animals with their mouths without harming them. 

The English Springer Spaniel has long ears that flop down on the sides of its face. Often these ears have long furs on both sides as well.

The English Springer Spaniel has a protruding and arching chest, and the back slimming down.

The English Springer Spaniel has a  short tail with less fur than the rest of the body. 

Their forelegs are much narrow than their hindlegs. The forelegs are slanted and extended outside. 

English Springer Spaniel Temperament

The English Springer Spaniel is a marvelous family dog. This breed can bond with anyone in their family. 

English Springer Spaniels are extremely affectionate towards their family. You’ll even notice how their backs look like it’s about to break from wagging their tail so much.

But that’s just a sign of how much they love their family and will do absolutely what they can to protect them.

They will need supervision with children as they may get overwhelmingly excited with their energy. 

With strangers, English Springer Spaniels may be a bit observant for a while but will open their selves to them if they do not pose a threat to them or the family.

English Springer Spaniel may need some introduction to other dogs and other pets.

Early socialization is a must for this breed so they can easily adapt to other animals as well.

English Springer Spaniels are extremely energetic. Even if they run for hours in a day, their stamina seems to defeat all odds and so does their playfulness. 

This breed cannot be left alone. Instead, owners may leave them with someone the dog is familiar with.

Leaving this breed alone can be risky as they may become depressed and destructive. 

English Springer Spaniels will do okay with apartment living as long as their daily exercise and training needs are met. But they will do best with homes with big yards or fields.

Training & Exercise

English Springer Spaniels are downright an amazing breed that has a lot to offer, but before anything else, this breed will need early exposure, socialization, and introduction to different people, animals, places, and situations. 

This breed is not one to back down on any work you give them.

This Spaniel breed is a natural working dog, as they have natural skills in swimming, tracking, and agility. 

The English Springer Spaniel is a breed with an incredible amount of energy. They respond well to positive feedback and rewards.

As owners, it is our responsibility to utilize and direct their skills and energy properly. 

English Springer Spaniels must be trained from an early age. Basic training is a must for this breed.

English Springer Spaniels are not just extremely energetic but also extremely intelligent.

For breeds like this, they tend to be stubborn, and that’s where owners come in. Obedience training and mentally stimulating training are a must for this breed. 

English Springer Spaniels will need an immense amount of exercise daily. An hour of walks at the park will do, but running activities are best with English Springer Spaniels. 

Owners can let their English Springer Spaniel join them in outdoor activities such as trekking, swimming, jogging, and so much more. 

Owners may even play with their English Springer Spaniel as training or exercise. And that's how you strengthen your bond with your pup.

Health Care

English Springer Spaniels are known to be a healthy breed that can live from 12-14 years.

With their natural flexibility and athleticism, their bodies are best for different kinds of work and activities.

Sadly not all English Springer Spaniels can go through proper screening before breeding. 

Thus, some offspring may have inherited their parent’s diseases which can affect their life quality.

Here are some of the diseases English Springer Spaniels may have:

Ear Infection

English Springer Spaniels have long droopy ears that are quite furry as well.

Dogs with similar physical features, and ear infections, are often prone to ear infections. 

Ear infection causes may vary, but it’s essential to have them checked during regular visits to veterinarians.

If you notice shaking of the head, unpleasant odor in the ears, or overly scratching of their ears, do have them checked immediately.

Eye Problems (Entropion, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Retinal Dysplasia)

Entropion is the condition where the eyelid rolls inward, creating friction in the sensitive part of the cornea.

Usually, this condition requires surgery when it is quite damaging and may progress quicker than expected. 

If English Springer Spaniels are suspected of having Entropion, owners should bring their pet to the veterinarian for further examination. 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a degenerative disease that affects the rod and cone cells in the eyes that leading to blindness.

It is an inherited disease, and it’s known for it has no treatment. It can progress quickly from a year or two. 

Have your English Springer Spaniels checked regularly to guarantee less risk to their health.

Retinal Dysplasia is the abnormal growth of the embryonic retina. This can be congenital or due to trauma or exposure to toxins. 

English Springer Spaniels dogs who are diagnosed must be treated immediately. If the symptoms persist, they may detach and result in blindness. 

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a genetic condition wherein the socket of the joint and ball becomes distorted.

When diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia, it’s important to keep their weight within the normal range and have them exercise with activities that promote joint therapy.

Veterinarians may prescribe medications for anti-inflammatory/ pain relievers and supplements.

Prevention is the same, keeping them active but not injuring them. A treadmill walk or swimming is perfect for prevention and recovery as well.

Skin Problems ( Allergy, Phosphofructokinase Deficiency, Pyoderma)

Allergies are quite common in English Springer Spaniels.

English Springer Spaniels should be checked with the veterinarian for medication or supplements needed for them.

Remember to have it checked regularly and as soon as possible.

Owners should also ask their veterinarian what causes the allergy and what foods or activities to avoid.

English Springer Spaniels Diet Needs

English Springer Spaniels may have 2-2 ½ cups of high-quality dog food daily divided into two or three meals. 

For English Springer Spaniel puppies, owners can also give 2 cups of high-quality puppy dog food divided into three meals.

Owners may also try a varied diet from time to time but must avoid high-fat content foods.

Remember to consult with your veterinarian in case of any food that may trigger English Springer Spaniels allergies.

Owners should keep their English Springer Spaniel weight in check.

Since this breed is prone to joint and hip problems, they may occur unexpectedly if their weight shifts too fast. 

If owners are training their English Springer Spaniels, they should give the treats only when necessary.

Owners often overfeed their pets with treats when it comes to training. Giving their favorite toy can also be considered a reward.

Grooming

Coat

The English Springer Spaniel has a wavy and double type of coat. Often the hair on their ears is more curly than the rest of their hair.

English Springer Spaniels also have medium-length hair.

Some English Springer Spaniels may have longer hair in some parts of their body compared to other parts.  

English Springer Spaniels have a moderate shedding level.

They will shed all year round and heavily during the cooler season in preparation for the incoming season.

English Springer Spaniels have a double coat that helps them regulate their temperature during colder seasons.

The double coat includes a dense and shorter inner layer, then a coarse and longer outer layer. This will shed into a thinner coat when Summer comes. 

Owners may brush English Springer Spaniels daily to remove excess dirt and to distribute natural oil to their coats and skin.

It’s important to brush their coat since its length is a bit long but also wavy.

It may be easier to form mattings. Owners may use a slicker brush to untangle mats. 

Baths

English Springer Spaniels may be bath once or twice a month and after every water or grimy activity.

Although their double coat helps grime off their fur, it’s still best to bathe them.

Owners need to pat the ears dry after a bath. This breed has a heavier ear that drops down on the side of its face, which means it may take longer to dry on its own.

After a bath, owners may use a towel to pat dry the outer part and a bit of the outer canal.

It’s best to avoid grime and moisture buildup as it can lead to ear infections. Owners may also have the hair trimmed in the ears.

Teeth

Owners may brush English Springer Spaniel's teeth every now. Owners may use dental chews daily but manually brushing them now and then can be more helpful in keeping their oral health up in shape. 

Nails

The English Springer Spaniels are medium size dogs and their nails may be bigger as well. It’s best to have their nails trimmed or filed every week. 

Owners may need some cloth to wipe their English Springer Spaniel's mouth from time to time, as this breed is a bit prone to drooling. 

This breed is not as resistant to grooming as other dogs. It’s important to make their grooming experience a positive and rewarding one as well. This can help make them cooperate and behave more. 

Make sure to expose them to a grooming regimen early in their puppy stage and frequently. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the English Springer Spaniels

Is English Springer Spaniels great with cats?

Yes! English Springer Spaniels are amazingly sociable and flexible with the ones around them.

This is also the case with cats, but English Springer Spaniels must be exposed to other pets at a young age so they can learn how to interact with them.

Are Springers and Cocker Spaniels the same?

No, they are two different breeds. However, they were in the same category before the 20th century.

Eventually, the two breeds were separated due to differences in origin, function, and physique. 

What are the two types of Springers?

The two types are “Bench Springers” and “Field Springers.” The difference between the two is the “ Bench Springer” are often the type to be presented in show ring competitions.

Bench springers often have long fur and long feather. “Field Springer,” on the other hand, is the working type of Springer Spaniels.

English Springer Spaniel Dog Breed: Summary

If you want a companion full of surprises and affection, the English Springer Spaniels is the one for you.

With the explosive amount of energy in the field, the skill of agility, springing, and showing love, the English Springer Spaniel is one of the best active breeds out there.

If you plan to adopt an English Springer Spaniel puppy, remember that it's better to adopt rather than shop.

And to avoid puppies inheriting diseases, please remember to adopt from a reputable breeder.

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