English Springer Spaniel Breed Info: Pictures, Traits & Facts

The English Springer Spaniel is a beautiful dog that was bred for hunting and makes a fantastic companion dog. They belong to the Sporting Group and are a friendly and energetic breed that loves to spend time with their family outdoors.

Breed Overview

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with long furry ears and a docked tail as part of the breed standard. They have a waterproof double coat with longer fur feathered on their ears, legs, chest, and belly. They are usually bi-colored and come most commonly in shades of black and white as well as liver and white. They can also be lemon and white, red and white, and orange and white. The English Springer is also tri-colored in black, white, and tan or liver, white and tan.

English Springer Spaniel Characteristics

English Springer Spaniel Puppies

The English Springer Spaniel is an energetic and athletic dog that is healthy and has a long lifespan for a dog its size. They are very trainable as they are very friendly dogs that get along with everyone.

If you're wanting to get an English Springer Spaniel of your very own, it is important to search for a licensed breeder. These breeders can answer any questions you have about the dog, provide health clearances, and will often let you visit with the dogs before you bring one home.

Temperament & Intelligence of the English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel is an athletic and happy breed with a ton of energy to burn. They would do best in a house with a yard (fenced of course) and lots of opportunities to run. They are very intelligent and playful dogs that enjoy a brisk walk as much as snuggling on the couch with their favorite humans.

The English Springer Spaniel thrives when around its family and is unhappy when neglected and will resort to destructive behavior and excessive barking. They are obedient and friendly with a ton of enthusiasm.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The English Springer Spaniel is a fantastic family pet! Their playful and happy nature and their lack of aggression make them excellent companions for children. Children need to be taught how to properly approach a dog and play gently (no pulling tails and ears or riding the dog like a horse).

They also make good watchdogs as they will warn of any strangers approaching the house, but their social nature makes them a terrible guard dog. They love almost everyone they meet.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Like most dogs, as long as the English Springer Spaniel is socialized as a puppy, it will get along very well with other pets. However, they are bred to hunt birds, so this needs to be factored in if there are any pet birds within the household. There are no known aggression issues with the English Springer, and they do get along very well with other dogs.

Things to Know When Owning an English Springer Spaniel:

Food & Diet Requirements

You should feed an English Springer Spaniel a high-quality kibble according to your dog's size, age, and activity level. Reading the back of the food bag will help you determine how much and how often you should feed your dog every day.

Be careful with feeding your dog treats and people food as obesity and health issues could occur. Consult with your vet if you’re ever concerned about your dog’s weight and health.

Exercise

The English Springer Spaniel needs a lot of exercise, and a long daily walk in addition to some form of play will be sufficient. A fenced yard that will allow them to run around in would be ideal, but running in an enclosed dog park could also work. They will also excel in agility, tracking, and obedience trials.

As a dog in the Sporting Group, there's always the possibility that the English Springer might resort to chasing after something it perceives as prey, so it should always be on a leash or in a fenced area.

Training

The English Springer's obedience and intelligence make training easy, and they pick it up quickly. It’s important to use positive reinforcement as it will help your dog become a happy and confident adult dog. While the English Springer is eager to please, their hunting instincts and high energy mean a firm but gentle hand while training and socializing.

Grooming

The English Springer Spaniel has a medium-length double coat that should be brushed about once a week (but two or three times a week might be best). They should only be given a bath when absolutely necessary (usually about once a month) with a good dog shampoo.

The English Springer has long ears that should be cleaned about once a month as well as trimming their nails every 3 to 4 weeks, and brushing their teeth about 2 or 3 times a week.

• Also see: Best Dog Wipes - Reviews & Top Picks

Health Conditions

The English Springer might be prone to:

Your vet will perform a physical exam that will include checking your dog’s elbows, knees, and hips as well as running DNA, blood, and urinalysis tests.

Male vs Female

The female English Springer Spaniel tends to be slightly smaller than the male, like most breeds. The female usually stands about 19 inches in height and is about 40 pounds in weight, whereas the male runs around 20 inches in height and is approximately 50 pounds in weight.

If you plan on having surgery for your English Springer, spaying the female is a little more expensive and will require a longer recovery time than neutering the male. Spaying and neutering your dog gives it the advantage of preventing future health problems and should lessen any aggressive tendencies. Spaying and neutering will also help stop your dog from wandering away if that's a problem.

Finally, some dogs might have different temperaments depending if they are male or female, but there are debates about this. Training and socializing your puppy and how you take care of your dog as it becomes an adult will always be the primary determinant of your dog's personality and behavior.

3 Little-Known Facts About the English Springer Spaniel

1. The English Springer Spaniel does best with a family.

They are very affectionate dogs that need lots of attention and will thrive in a family where there’s lots of people and lots of activity.

2. The English Springer Spaniel got its name based on its nature.

They were bred to hunt and were named for how they “spring” for the game birds being hunted. Once the birds were flushed out, the English Springer would point and retrieve the bird.

3. There are two different kinds of English Springer Spaniels.

There's the Show Springer Spaniel and the Field Springer Spaniel. They differ slightly in appearance (the Field Springer has slightly shorter ears and coats and pointier noses than the Show Springer), and the Show Spaniel can hunt but not as successfully as the Field Springer.

Final Thoughts

The English Springer Spaniel is a gorgeous dog with a very happy disposition. It can become your trusted companion when you go out walking and exploring or your best friend when you cuddle with it on the couch.

They will get along very well with everyone in the family, particularly with any children, and thrive when they have someone spending time with them. Loving, happy, and smart, the English Springer Spaniel will be an amazing addition to the right household.

See also:

• How Much Does an English Springer Spaniel Cost?

• English Setter Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Traits, Facts

Featured Image: photosounds, Shutterstock