English Springer Spaniel

Is an English Springer Spaniel right for you?

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized English gundog bred to push into dense cover, flush ("spring") birds and retrieve shot game. It is cheerful, people-loving, good with children and eager to learn, which makes it a popular family dog. Two things should not be forgotten, though: PDSA says it needs more than two hours of exercise a day, and dogs from working lines are markedly more energetic than those from show lines.

When choosing a puppy, always ask whether it comes from a working (field) line or a show line. Working Springers are lighter, less feathered and far more energetic; for a calmer family life a show line is usually the better fit.

Before you adopt

Health tests: The American breed club (ESSFTA) recommends at minimum: a DNA test for the cord1 (crd4) form of progressive retinal atrophy, a specialist eye examination, and hip and elbow X-rays. Optional but recommended: fucosidosis, phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency, degenerative myelopathy, autoimmune thyroiditis and a cardiac evaluation. PDSA likewise advises checking that the parents have been screened for inherited diseases.

Recessive genetic diseases: Fucosidosis and PFK deficiency are recessively inherited. Mating two carriers can produce affected puppies; see paperwork showing at least one parent is "clear".

Rescue: Springers are often surrendered because their energy needs were not met. Adopting an adult lets you see its temperament in advance.

Legal status: The breed is not typically restricted; in Turkey, for example, it is not on the dangerous-breed list under Law No. 5199.

Temperament

VCA describes the English Springer Spaniel as exuberant and energetic, usually good with children, eager to learn, outgoing with strangers and compatible with other pets. PDSA calls it a happy, playful and energetic family companion.

It is very attached to people and wants to join in with everything its family does. That helps in training, but when it is left alone and under-exercised it comes back as barking, chewing and damage in the house.

Its nose and hunting instinct are strong. On walks it dives into bushes, jumps into water and chases birds. Its retrieving instinct means it loves carrying things around; be ready for sock and shoe theft.

As VCA notes, it gets excited easily and can be distracted. It responds very well to short, playful, reward-based sessions; harsh methods damage trust in sensitive individuals.

Health issues and lifespan

VCA gives a lifespan of 10-14 years. ESSFTA describes the breed as generally healthy and long-lived; the main concerns are:

• Ear infections: As PDSA highlights, long, hairy drop ears are prone to infection. See a vet for head shaking, scratching at the ear, bad smell, redness or discharge. Dry the ears after swimming and bathing.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA, cord1): An inherited eye disease beginning with poor night vision and progressing to blindness. A DNA test is available.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia: Limping, difficulty rising, stiffness after exercise. Parent X-rays and weight control matter.
• Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency: An inherited enzyme deficiency. After hard exercise, excitement or stress, affected dogs show dark urine ranging from orange to dark coffee-brown, pale or yellowish gums, weakness and muscle cramps. There is no cure, but it can be managed by controlling activity and stress. See a vet the same day for dark urine or pale gums.
• Fucosidosis: An inherited enzyme deficiency that causes waste to build up in cells; it appears in young adulthood with progressive nervous system signs such as behaviour change, incoordination and hearing loss. Preventable with DNA testing.
• Obesity: VCA notes the breed tends to gain weight. Extra weight worsens joint problems.
• Hypothyroidism: Weight gain, lethargy, coat problems. Diagnosed by blood test.

Feeding

An adult English Springer Spaniel (18-23 kg according to PDSA, some males a little heavier) eats roughly 200-320 g of quality dry food a day depending on activity. A working-line dog running for hours a day needs more; for a pet, measure portions.

• Puppy (2-12 months): Medium-breed puppy food, three meals a day.
• Adult: 22-26% protein; measure with a cup because of the tendency to gain weight.
• Senior (8+ years): Reduce calories; consider joint support.

Deduct training treats from the daily ration. The ribs should be easy to feel under a light fat layer, and a waist should be visible from above.

Grooming and coat

A medium-length, silky, flat or slightly wavy coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs and belly.

• VCA recommends brushing once or twice a week to prevent mats; PDSA adds that clipping is needed about every three months.
• Check ears weekly: Hair inside the ear flap and around the canal entrance can be trimmed; use cleaning products on veterinary advice.
• Keep hair under the paws and between the toes short; it traps mud and grass seeds.
• After country walks, checking ears, paws and armpits for grass seeds and ticks is essential; dry late-summer grass awns can work their way into the ear canal.
• Nails every three to four weeks, teeth several times a week.
• Avoid intense exercise in the hottest hours of summer; swimming, where available, is an ideal way to cool down.

Training and exercise

PDSA recommends more than two hours of exercise a day; VCA notes that field-bred dogs need even more. Long walks, running, fetch, swimming and scent work are ideal.

Priorities:

1. Recall. It may range far after a scent or bird; work on a long line with high-value rewards.
2. Retrieving and scent games. The mental work that best suits the breed: hide-and-find toys, short-distance retrieves.
3. Calm greetings. Correct jumping up on people early.
4. "Drop" or "give". Teach it to release items using a trade; do not turn it into a chase game.
5. Being left alone. Build up gradually, starting with short absences.
6. Socialisation (8-16 weeks).

Avoid long runs and repeated jumping on hard ground during puppyhood.

History

The Springer's roots lie in the hunting spaniels used in England for centuries. In the past, larger puppies in the same litter were used to flush birds as "springers", while smaller ones were used on woodcock as "cockers". Over time the two types became separate breeds.

The Kennel Club in Britain recognised the English Springer Spaniel as a separate breed in the early 20th century. Its skill at finding and flushing birds and retrieving shot game with a soft mouth made it a hunters' favourite.

In the 20th century the breed split into two branches: show lines, larger, more feathered and heavier for exhibition, and lighter working lines selected for speed and stamina in the field. Both types exist under the same breed name today. Thanks to their keen noses, Springers are also widely used as detection dogs at airports and by security services.