These sociable and intelligent dogs are known for their willingness to please and their constantly wagging tails. They are energetic companions and relish some structure in their lives. English Springer Spaniels were originally bred as gundogs and they are the tallest of the spaniels that you will find in the UK. There two different types of this lovable breed; field dogs and show dogs. Field dogs tend to be closer to the original nature of the breed. This means that they have strong hunting instincts and love to be active. Show dogs love being outside as well but they are a little less boisterous. Either type of English Springer Spaniel puppy is fun to have around the home due to the playful and affectionate nature of the breed. Some highlights:
English Springer Spaniel puppies and adult dogs are usually obedient. They are also quick to learn.
These friendly dogs are very affectionate. This means that they make great companions that are happy to spend time with their human friends.
English Springer Spaniels love to be around children. As with any breed, children should be taught to treat these dogs with respect and to play gently.
One of the best traits that English Springer Spaniel puppies and adults have is their happy and lively personality. This helps to make these dogs fun and interesting housemates.
Some downsides to the English Springer Spaniel:
English Springer Spaniels are very intelligent and they pick things up quickly. However, they are also very strong-willed. This means that they can quickly take control if their humans are not authoritative and in-charge.
These outdoor-loving dogs enjoy spending time in the water. They are strong swimmers. The downside of this is that they often end up covered in mud after time spent out walking.
English Springer Spaniel puppies and older dogs are not always well-behaved when they are in the company of birds. This is because their fowl hunting instincts come to the surface.
Spaniels have long since been a familiar dog in the hunting world. The smaller sized Spaniels, that were used for hunting small game, became known as Cocker Spaniels. The English Springer Spaniels that exist today are descended from the original hunting dogs they were used to flush out birds so that they could be shot. Today, English Springer Spaniels can still be used as working dogs. However, they are also popular as companions in the home. This is due to their friendly, playful and bright personality.
The English Springer Spaniel is the tallest of the Spaniel breeds that are found in the UK. Males of the breed usually measure between 46 and 51 cm at the withers. Females are a little smaller. They usually measure between 43 and 48 cm.
Show dogs can be a little heavier than field dogs. This should be considered when buying English Springer Spaniel puppies. However, the difference in weight should not be huge. On average, male English Springer Spaniels weigh 23 - 25 kg. Females weigh between 16 and 20 kg.
Most English Springer Spaniel puppies and adults will bark when they hear noises that they do not recognise, or when people arrive home. Most of the time the barking stops when the dog settles down. In some cases, these dogs continue to bark a lot. This often happens if they are bored and do not have enough to occupy them.
These strong-willed animals should always be trained and socialised while they are young. They also need to be trained calmly but firmly. English Springer Spaniels always need to recognise that their human is in charge. If this does not happen, they are likely to simply do their own thing.
One thing you can definitely say about English Springer Spaniels is that they are naturally playful. They are also full of energy so it's important to realise that it can take a lot of effort to keep them occupied.
It's their playful and happy nature that makes these dogs such good companions for children. However, as with most dogs, it's not a good idea to leave young children alone with them. After all, accidents can happen and children can unintentionally be too rough.
These are dogs that love to be outdoors, amongst nature. This includes a passion for spending time in and around water. English Springer Spaniels are strong swimmers and they do not mind getting muddy and wet.
On average, English Springer Spaniels live for between 12 and 15 years. The west way to make sure that these dogs live for as long as possible is to ensure that they are well cared for and receive the exercise that they need. This exercise should last for 1.5-2 hours each day. Walks should last for at least 45 minutes with a couple of walks each week lasting significantly longer.
Anyone who is thinking of welcoming an English Springer Spaniel into their home needs to know that these dogs can suffer from health issues. These problems include:
Hip and elbow dysplasia. This condition happens when joints are poorly developed. Eventually, this can result in issues such as arthritis.
Progressive retinal atrophy. This happens when the retina of the eye starts to deteriorate. This can result in blindness.
Ear infections. English Springer Spaniels have long floppy ears. This makes it easier for bacteria to build up. If this happens, it's common for these dogs to suffer from ear infections.
The big personality of an English Springer Spaniel is an attractive feature. However, it does mean that they need to be mentally and physically stimulated, in order to keep them away from mischief. This means that it helps to have a decent amount of space, including a large yard or garden.
It's a good idea to brush an English Springer Spaniel on a daily basis. This is especially the case with show dogs as they have longer coats than field dogs. While grooming these dogs, ears and paws should be checked for any debris that may have been picked up.
As a rough guide in pricing: Cost to buy: roughly £300 to £1500 for a well-bred English Springer Spaniel puppy Other costs (Vet, Food etc): £80 per month
You can read our general buying guide here (/advice-on-buying-a-puppy/), with the most important thing being going to view your English Springer Spaniel Puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder. More specifically, here is some English Springer Spaniel puppy buying advice:
When buying an English Springer Spaniel puppy, it's always a good idea to ask about its pedigree. This is because different dogs can have different temperaments. Knowing about a puppy's parents and background helps to provide a better understanding of what the puppy is likely to be like as they grow.
All English Springer Spaniels can make good companions. However, field dogs tend to be slightly different to show dogs. This means that it makes sense to decide what attributes are most important before buying an English Springer Spaniel puppy. For instance, field dogs are often more boisterous and strong willed. Show dogs are usually slightly more placid overall, although they can be more prone to heriditory health problems.
A big thank you to the following sources who helped to shape this article: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?uDesc=1&id=2053 https://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/english-springer-spaniel https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/medium-dogs/english-springer-spaniel https://springerrescuescotland.org/meetourdogs.php https://yourdogadvisor.com/save-on-vet-costs/
