English Springer Spaniel Dog Breed Information

General Information:

Average Height: 19 – 20 in
Average Weight: 40 – 50 lbs
Average Life Span: 12 – 14 yrs
Coloring: Bi-and tri-colored: black or liver with white markings; white with black or liver markings; blue or red roan; black and white or white and liver with tan markings
Area of Origin: England
Similar Breeds: Cocker Spaniel (American and English), Welsh Springer Spaniel, Clumber Spaniel, English Water Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel

History and Origin:

A gun dog developed from the old Norfolk Spaniel, the English Springer Spaniel was used by game hunters to flush out game from bushes. The Spaniel is an old dog type, with descriptions closely fitting the Springer as early as 1576, in Dr. John Caius’ Treatise of Englishe Dogs. It was an early breed to travel to North America, becoming a popular hunting dog in the early eighteenth century. The Springer Spaniel would be found in the same litter as the smaller Cocker Spaniel, was used to hunt the small woodcock bird in bushes. While natural history illustrator and taxonomist, Sydenham Edwards, argued that the Springer and Cocker Spaniels should be separate breeds in the early nineteenth century, it wasn’t until 1902 when the United Kennel Club recognized them as separate breeds. Today, the Springer Spaniel enjoys much success in the show ring, and in addition to being used as a hunting dog, the breed has gained repute as a sniffer dog for drugs, explosives, tracking, and as a search and rescue dog.

Personality and Temperament:

The Springer Spaniel is an extremely intelligent, family-oriented companion. It is devoted, loving, and sociable, fantastic with both children and other animals, despite its history as a hunting dog. Brave, focused, and full of stamina, the Springer Spaniel is best suited for an active household that will include it in daily happenings. Eager to meet every person it sees, it is not a suitable guard dog. Eager to please, the Springer is highly attentive and responsive to an owner that displays gentle but firm leadership. Due to its high energy, the Springer Spaniel has a tendency to become destructive if not given enough stimulation; a sporting dog to its core, the Springer needs as much mental as physical exercise to keep it happy and healthy. The Springer Spaniel may be suitable for a first-time dog owner who is willing to maintain authority, as the dog may take advantage if given free reign.

Exercise & Training:

As a sporting breed, the Springer Spaniel has limitless energy that must be funneled into activities in order for it to remain happy, healthy, and calm. The Springer excels in dog sports such as agility, flyball, obedience trials, and hunt trials, and loves to swim. Due to its excitability and high exercise requirements, this breed is not suited to apartment living. A house with a large yard is ideal. Highly intelligent, the Springer Spaniel is extremely easy to train; it is very responsive and eager to please. A sensitive breed, it responds best to a gentle voice, positive reinforcement, and firm but accepting leadership.

Grooming:

An average shedder, the Springer Spaniel’s coat requires daily brushing to remove dead hair and to prevent matting; if kept long, the coat will require more extensive combing. Bathe only when necessary to avoid drying out the skin.

Similar Breeds:

The Springer Spaniel is directly related to all other English-bred Spaniels, such as the Clumber Spaniel, English Water Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel, and the Sussex Spaniel. It was considered to be the same breed as the English Cocker Spaniel until 1902; both the larger Springer and smaller Cocker would be found in the same litter. It was also influential in the development of the American Cocker Spaniel.

Interesting Facts about the Springer Spaniel:

1. The Springer Spaniel has a soft mouth (both naturally and trained); it is gentle enough to carry a live bird without harming it, and the soft mouth was used to retrieve the fragile game.

2. A Springer Spaniel named Murphy has been trained to detect the difference between guard cell phones and illegal inmate phones in a Norwich prison.

3. Two Springer Spaniels have been awarded medals for their service in explosives detection; Buster, who won the Dickin Medal for his work with the British army in Iraq, and Jake, who received the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals Gold Medal and the Blue Cross Animal Medal for his work following the 2005 London bombings.

4. The Springer Spaniel’s name is due to its responsibility of “springing” into brush to flush out wild game.