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Energetic and lively, the English Springer Spaniel is a joy to have around. They’re fairly easy to train due to their intelligence and enjoy being close to their owners. An English Springer Spaniel will be an excellent running mate as they enjoy being active. Plus, they’re known to be total brainiacs which makes them perfect for participating in competitions.
English Springer Spaniels can suffer from:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness.
- Multifocal retinal dysplasia which is an inherited eye condition that can seriously affect a dog's vision.
- Glaucoma which is a painful condition where the pressure in the eye builds up.
- Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy which is where deposits form in the eye which can cause damage to the eye and blindness in dim light.
- Fucosidosis which is an inherited metabolic problem that can result in nervous problems.
- Immune mediated haemolytic anaemia which is a problem where a dog's immune system starts to attack its own red blood cells causing anaemia.
- Ear infections due to their flappy hanging ears.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- Eye testing for pectinate ligament abnormality testing to look for signs that a dog is affected by glaucoma.
- DNA test for fucosidosis and progressive retinal atrophy, which tests whether or not a dog has the potential to be affected by this condition.
- Eye screening scheme
The English Springer Spaniel is a compact, medium-sized active dog with long ears set close to the head. They have a kindly yet alert expression, and a straight, medium length coat, feathered around the ears, legs and tail. As for the Springer Spaniel colours, they can range from black and white or liver and white to either of these colours combined with tan markings.
Naturally a busy, extroverted type, the Springer Spaniel is friendly, quick to learn, and eager to please. Show varieties can be less active and appear calmer than working types, however all retain the desire to find items and carry objects in their mouths.
If their needs are understood and met, they make great companion dogs for the active outdoor family.
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 5/5 |
| Easy to train: | 5/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 1/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 5/5 |
| Energy level: | 5/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 3/5 |
The Springer Spaniel name comes from their action in the field, ‘springing’ game out of cover toward waiting guns, however the English Springer Spaniel also has a long history of retrieving shot game, making this an ever-popular working breed, able to turn a paw to multiple tasks and with the required stamina and athleticism to see them through a long working day.
Originally derived from similar breeds in Spain, the English Springer Spaniel remains closest to the ‘Land Spaniel’ prototype which eventually became refined and split into the other popular British Spaniel breeds.
You’ll have endless energy, spend most of your time outdoors, and only expect your Springer to relax at the end of a day that involves walks, and training, free running and games. You’ll need to be at least mud-tolerant, if not mud-loving, and capable of some simple grooming. Springers do not naturally have an off-switch and require training to locate this, as well as to install some basic manners and control. If that sounds like fun to you, a Springer Spaniel may be your ideal dog!
This is an energetic, outdoor dog, with plenty of stamina for either work or play. Several hours of exercise per day is required although some of this should take the form of mental stimulation via scent games and retrieve work to help exercise this working dog’s busy mind and body.
They will enjoy being involved in family activities, and should be taught to settle quietly from a young age, avoiding the temptation to try to exhaust them — a task that will never be fulfilled!
English Springer Spaniels are economical dogs when it comes to housing and transportation. Also, given the Springer Spaniel size, they don’t need a large indoor space, but are happiest when wet and muddy in the middle of the countryside. As such, these are very much rural dogs that will need long energetic walks with plenty of opportunities to run, sniff, and explore.
Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed them at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of their particular food. Proper nutrition along with care can contribute to an English Springer Spaniel lifespan reaching 14 years.
The body coat of the Springer Spaniel is flat or wavy and of medium length, and the ears, chest, legs, tail, and under carriage have moderate feathering. As a result of this feathering, some amount of grooming is required. But the Springer Spaniel grooming process will not require more effort than just some trimming around the head, feet, and ears. Extra grooming might be necessary after a day out in the undergrowth though, as the coat can and will pick up all sorts of twigs and grass. Pay attention to ears and between paw pads, as these areas can easily pick-up grass seeds and other foreign bodies.
This is a breed who will actively enjoy training, whether in traditional gundog activities or any of the wide variety of dog sports and activities now available. They lend themselves well to scent work of any kind, and would enjoy tracking, man-trailing, or scent discrimination. Springers are still very much working dogs at heart and so they need a ‘job’ to do — whatever that is — as a bored Springer Spaniel is difficult to live with.
Responding best to positive, reward-based training, English Springers should be taught early on to retrieve and swap found objects happily, and to recall reliably as their busy noses can lead them anywhere.
The Springer Spaniel is a friendly affectionate dog who is great for an active outdoorsy family, who aren’t afraid of mud and rain, and love long country rambles. For less active families, however, they may be too demanding in their exercise requirements and while they would be happy to curl up in the pub after a long walk, they are certainly not a couch potato on a daily basis.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
Do Springer Spaniels shed a lot?
Springer Spaniels are known to shed moderately but they might have a heavier shedding during the spring and fall months.
Do Springer Spaniels like to cuddle?
As bubbly and loving dogs, Springer Spaniels will adore cuddling with you — this might actually be their favourite thing to do so get ready for lots of love and affection.
How long should a Springer Spaniel be walked for?
Springer Spaniels are high energy dogs so they will need to be walked for at least 2 hours per day.
Are Springers prone to separation anxiety?
Yes, as many other dog breeds, Springer Spaniels can go through separation anxiety if left alone for a long time. They tend to be very close to their owners, therefore not getting enough attention might cause them to be anxious.
