Many factors should be thought about when searching for a dog to be your companion. There are a lot of considerations to make while looking for a dog, including whether or not you have adequate space, if you live in a dog-friendly location, what the best dog food is, how often you should brush and exercise your dog, and how easily you can train it.
We’ll be talking about a variety of popular dog breeds, their history, and what it’s like to own one, so you can make an informed decision about getting a dog. The English springer spaniel is the subject of this essay; it is a wonderful dog with a lot of energy and personality that has been winning people over for ages.
BREED OVERVIEW
This breed is full of life and ready to please, making it ideal for service jobs or as a cherished household pet. The distinctive appearance of a springer is due to their long, floppy ears and the exquisite feathering on their tail, legs, and breast. The smaller Cocker Spaniel is a common misnomer for these dogs.
Breed Specifics for the English Springer Spaniel
Information on the English Springer Spaniel
English springer spaniels are energetic and eager to please because they were originally developed to be a multipurpose gundog. These dogs, bred to assist hunters, are full of life and passion but respond well to training, making them not only popular pets but also capable hunters and detecting dogs.
Because of their propensity to enjoy the company of humans, dogs of this breed have earned the reputation for being friendly and docile. As a result, they are wonderful companion animals for families, but they also tend to get worried if left alone for too long.
Despite the high levels of energy typical of the breed, many springers are content to spend hours cuddled up on the couch with their favourite person.
THE HISTORY OF SPRINGER SPANIELS
Working spaniels have been around for generations; they are distinguished by their long, floppy ears and feathering on the legs and chest.
Celts making the journey from Spain to Britain may have carried spaniels with them. An other hypothesis, however, suggests that the spaniel’s forebears were actually brought to Britain from China by the Romans. No matter the legend, the origins of these lovable canines remain a mystery.
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For a long time, it was impossible to tell one spaniel breed apart from another. Beginning in the 17th century, these dogs were first classified as either water spaniels or land spaniels, depending on their primary function. Evidently, land spaniels thrive at marking and flushing wildlife on land, while water spaniels shine as aquatic hunters and retrievers.
SPRINGING SPANIELS
Eventually, distinct varieties of spaniels emerged as dogs were bred for various hunting tasks. The land spaniels were subdivided into another two categories at roughly the same time they were first classified as either land or field spaniels.
These spaniels could either “leap” or “crouch.” As a result of their development into modern-day springer spaniels, we know a good deal about springing spaniels. There is scant information, however, on how they vary from crouching spaniels.
The springer spaniel was a breed of dog that excelled at “springing” game, or flushing the animal into the open where it could be caught by a falcon or shot. Typically, this entails sneaking through tall grass and brambles in search of birds, scaring them into the open, and hoping for a lucky shot as they fly away.
The modern springer spaniel can trace its lineage back to the now-extinct Norfolk spaniel. Welsh springer spaniels and English cocker spaniels are near cousins of the springer.
Welsh springer spaniels are smaller and lighter than their English counterparts, and they are also more rare. There was a time when cocker spaniels and springer spaniels were the same breed. Cocker spaniels are smaller than their sprung ancestors and are available in a wider range of colours now.
These days, springer spaniels are highly sought after as gundogs thanks to their versatility and value as superb retrievers and flushers. That’s why they make such a great all-around hunting dog. Springers have been selectively developed with a “soft mouth” so that they can be used to recover game.
These canines have a natural inclination to pick up and carry items, but they suppress their bite so as not to injure whatever it is they’re carrying. When training hunting dogs, it was crucial that they not tear the skin off of their quarry or otherwise harm the animal in any way that would prevent it from being served to humans as food.
Bite inhibition can be understood by thinking back to the fad of dogs holding eggs. Your dog may feel compelled to find you a “gift” to give you as they meet you, which could mean they try to recover and carry about your post or slippers.
Their intelligence, trainability, and generally pleasant demeanour made them ideal sporting dogs and now make them an excellent pet.
FIELD SPANIEL VS SHOW SPANIEL
English springer spaniels are now recognised as a separate breed, including both working and display variants.
The Show SpanielThe Show Spaniel
The field spaniel was developed specifically as a working gundog; as such, it is a smaller breed with a shorter hair and ears. They’re also the more frequent type, so you might find them in a house with your family.
Show spaniels, on the other hand, have a much more stately air about them because to their larger stature and often dramatically different longer coats and ears. The ears of a show spaniel are similarly fixed in a lower position on the head and cannot be moved.
A field spaniel, on the other hand, will have highly mobile ears that it may use to better pinpoint sounds and as an additional kind of body language.
KEY STATS
Medium-sized dogs include springer spaniels. They are among the oldest and largest of the spaniel breeds.
Your springer should be between 45 and 53 centimetres in height, and 16 and 26 kilos in weight (males are a little larger and heavier than females). All of them have a medium-length, double coat of fur that they will eventually shed.
Check out this table for a quick snapshot of important data on English springer spaniels:
STATS MALE FEMALE
Size Medium Size Medium Medium Average (Withers) Height 48-53cm Weight 16-27kg
Weight: 16-23 kg Age: 12-14 years
Ages 12 to 14
Coat Medium Medium
Hypoallergenic
No No \sSheds
Yes Yes
SPRINGER SPANIEL FACTS
SPRINGERS ARE NOT NAMED FOR THEIR BOUNCE
A springer spaniel’s name isn’t derived from the dog’s endearing propensity to “spring” through tall grass. A “springer” was a dog trained specifically to “spring” wildlife and flush it out during a hunt.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPRINGER SPANIELS AND COCKER SPANIELS
The two types of spaniels, the springer and the cocker, used to be indistinguishable from one another and even shared litters. The larger springer spaniel was the only discernible feature that distinguished it from the smaller cocker spaniel.
Various hunting tasks are associated with various dog sizes, which is where the breed names come from. Larger puppies would become “springers” used to flush wildlife, while smaller dogs were used as “cockers” and would be used to hunt woodcock. The two breeds did not diverge until the early 1900s, and the Kennel Club did not officially recognise springers as a distinct breed until 1902.
BRAVEHEART OWNED A SPRINGER SPANIEL
All spaniels were considered to be one generic breed throughout this time period. Merlin MacDonald, the name of one of these ancient springers, is one of the most fantastic canine names we’ve ever heard. William Wallace, the “Braveheart,” had a loyal animal companion named Merlin. This devoted dog fought at the legendary Battle of Stirling Bridge beside him.
SPRINGERS WERE ONE OF THE FIRST DOGS IN THE “NEW WORLD”
Springers have aided their masters in battle and discovery alike. The first canine explorers of Cape Cod in the “new world” of America were a mastiff and a springer spaniel aboard the Mayflower.
THEY ARE POPULAR PETS
Springer spaniels are among the top five most popular dog breeds in the United Kingdom year after year.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, where dog ownership is significantly higher, Springers are a popular choice. The springer’s amiable demeanour and gentle demeanour have apparently earned them a household favourite all throughout the world, but especially in the United Kingdom.
SOME VERY SMART SPANIELS
The American Kennel Club ranks Springers as the thirteenth-smartest dog breed. The springer is a great working dog because of its intelligence, drive to please, and stamina.
They are one of the most common breeds used as detection dogs by the police, the military, and search and rescue organisations, and they are also excellent gundogs.
SPRINGERS ARE HEROIC DOGS
It’s no surprise that springers have been our trusted working companions for ages, given their bravery, devotion, obedience, and intelligence. The PDSA Dickin Medal of Valor has been awarded to two springer spaniels. Only 34 dogs have ever been awarded the title, which is the highest honour any animal can earn.
SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPIES
At around two months old, your cute springer spaniel puppy will be fully weaned and ready to join you at home. By the time they are three months old, most puppies have lost their puppy teeth and weigh between 8 and 9 kg. Although the average lifespan of a dog is about 18 months, your pup will reach full maturity at a little later age.
CARING FOR A SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPY
A springer spaniel puppy requires care similar to that of any other young dog. They require lots of time to play and rest, as well as healthy food. Also, you need to train your puppy, which includes teaching it to use the bathroom in a public place. Fortunately, springers are smart dogs who take to training well and pick up new commands rapidly.
To have a well-balanced and obedient adult dog, however, you will need to invest time and effort to teaching your spaniel, as this breed has a flushing nature and a lot of energy. Combined with their high levels of energy, spaniels who have not had proper training can become challenging to manage.
SOCIALISING YOUR SPRINGER
The earliest possible age at which you begin desensitising and socialising your springer puppy is crucial. This is the process of gradually exposing them to new environments, stimuli, and other canines so that they can mature into secure, outgoing canine citizens.
Socializing your puppy is vital to help prevent eventual uneasiness or anti-social behaviour, as Springers have a tendency to focus on their own family bubble, which can lead to some dogs becoming disinterested in other people or dogs.
Because of their high degree of dependence on their human companions, Springer spaniels often suffer from separation anxiety. For this reason, it’s crucial to show your dog that separation from you is temporary. Crate training and the gradual introduction of longer and longer periods of isolation are also helpful here.
Grooming and bathing your dog are also part of the desensitisation process. Having your dog grow up accustomed to doing these things with you will make the process much less stressful in the long run, so it’s best to start early.
A springer, in contrast to some dogs, needs regular ear checks and grooming, therefore owners must learn to overcome their pets’ aversion to having their ears touched. The best time to start socialising your puppy to grooming practises is while they are still young. This includes things like tooth brushing, ear checking, and fur combing. Now is the moment to expose them to novel experiences and stimuli in order to normalise them.
To avoid your puppy developing a fear of noise, it’s important to expose him to a wide variety of sounds from an early age. Desensitizing kids to potentially distressing noises by gradually exposing them to them is an effective method.
This is especially helpful for calming nerves about fireworks and other unexpectedly loud noises that may be encountered when out on a stroll. Even if you don’t plan on putting your springer spaniel puppy to work, this will help reduce anxiety in your new family member.
SPANIELS DO TEND TO PULL ON THE LEAD
Due to their high energy levels, springer spaniels can be difficult to walk when on a leash. Even though your springer spaniel puppy won’t be able to go outside until after their shots, you can start lead training in the comfort of your own house or garden.
Get your dog acclimated to following your lead and learning your expectations by going about the house and yard. Just be ready to put in some time teaching your springer to walk nicely once you let them out into the vast, distracting world. Springers are notoriously difficult to train to walk nicely on a leash, and the process can take months.
Do you want to get a springer or adopt one? If you’re looking for a great name for your new puppy, here’s a great selection of both male and female options.
SPRINGER SPANIEL PERSONALITY
The devoted and affectionate nature of springer spaniels is well-known. It’s no surprise that canines selected for their utility as working companions have become the standard by which all other canines are measured as man’s best friend.
THE PERFECT CANINE COMPANION FOR CENTURIES
Even though sportsman Richard Surflet made this remark about spaniels 400 years ago, it still rings true for any contemporary springer spaniel.
The spaniel is “more gentle, loving, and courteous to man than any other dog,” according to the author of a 16th-century work on the breed: “The spaniel is of free untiring laborsome ranging, beating a full course over and over, which he does with a wanton playing taile and a busie labouring noise, neither desisting nor showing less delight in his labours at night than he did in the morning.”
A spaniel’s sweet, caring nature and hardworking character make it easy to recognise, as Surflet put it. They are so eager to please their owners and have such an endless supply of energy that they can work or play with them for hours on end without tiring or losing enthusiasm.
Not to mention, they are well-known for being outstanding sniffer dogs due to their remarkable noses.
MODERN SPRINGER SPANIELS
Due to their high responsiveness to training and their desire to please their human companions, Springers remain popular as both working dogs and home pets today.
The breed is high-energy and attentive, yet they are also easily sidetracked. To the point of seeming deaf to orders, their attention can be so riveted that they ignore everything else.
This could necessitate more work on recall and leash walking. However, this seems to be countered by their loyalty and trainability, so training them shouldn’t be too challenging as long as you stick to a consistent schedule.
Springers, with their athletic pedigrees, are a breed that needs regular exercise. In addition to being an usually placid breed, they are also highly playful, so with the right kind of training, stimulation, and exercise, they may develop into the ideal family pet. Actually, if you give your dog enough affection and playtime, it won’t care if it spends its days playing fetch in the park or snuggling up on the couch with you.
Despite their active demeanour, springer spaniels make wonderful family pets and canine companions because they are so patient and kind. This, together with their trainability and enthusiasm to please, makes them a fantastic companion animal for any family. They are loyal, yet still fun to have about the house.
The breed standard for this dog type calls for a “kind eyes” and a “happy” personality, both of which contribute greatly to the dogs’ endearing charm. The eyes and ears of a spaniel, especially a field kind, are full of life and expression.
SPRINGER SPANIEL SIZE
Medium-sized dogs best describe springer spaniels. Approximately 50 centimetres in height, females are slightly shorter than males. A smaller-than-average springer is possible due to the breed’s common lineage with cocker spaniels.
They are not the largest spaniel breed, but they are up there. They’re about as tall as a Sussex or Clumber spaniel but much lighter in build. The lengthy legs of a springer are an asset when covering great distances on rocky terrain.
COLOURS OF SPRINGER SPANIELS
Common colour combinations for springer spaniels are liver and white or black and white. Some tricolored springers, though, do show up. Dogs with three colours on their coats are unusual. Most canines are either black and white or liver and white with tan patterns. (Most often on the brows and the muzzle.)
The coat patterns of springer spaniels are just as diverse as their colour variants. The heads and bodies of show dogs are often black or brown, while those of field spaniels are typically white. There will be dogs with definite, solid colour patches, and dogs with spots and ticking.
This means that a puppy that appears mostly white at birth may end up with a spotted coat as it matures. If you assume your adult springer has a mostly white coat, you could be surprised to see spots appear as you trim their fur.
SPRINGER SPANIEL LIFE SPAN & HEALTH
You may expect your springer spaniel to live between 12 and 14 years of age, with 12 being the median. Most dogs of this breed will live into their teen years since they are healthy and resilient.
There are, of course, outliers in any breed; some dogs live far longer than the average. According to the UK Kennel Club, the oldest springer spaniel ever recorded was 19 years and 6 months old. Our own springer spaniel came close to breaking the record for the oldest springer spaniel in the area when she lived to the ripe old age of 16 years and 4 months. There is, therefore, every reason to hope that you and your pet will enjoy a long and fruitful relationship.
Some spaniels live longer than others, but it’s also true that some of them will go over the rainbow bridge more sooner than expected. Some forms of cancer and diabetes are somewhat more common in Springers than in other breeds and can shorten their lifespan significantly.
If your spaniel comes from healthy stock and you give it a healthy food and plenty of exercise, he or she should be immune to many of these genetic diseases. They deserve a long, healthy life filled with joy.
Springer spaniels, like all dogs, are susceptible to the standard array of canine ailment. Any dog, not just springers, would benefit from regular vaccinations, high-quality food, and plenty of exercise to reduce the likelihood of developing significant health issues.
SPRINGER SPANIEL FUR
All true springer spaniels have a double coat of medium-length fur. Waterproofing and weatherproofing are both enhanced by the double coat, making your dog a great companion for long days in the field.
While the shorter undercoat is softer, the lengthier top coat might be straight or wavy. The top layer of a springer spaniel’s coat is weatherproof and durable, making the breed ideal for retrieval work that requires them to swim to submerge objects. Since a hunting hound must rummage through bushes and bracken in search of prey to spring, these heavier coats also protect your dog from brambles and thorns.
The fur on your dog, especially a springer spaniel, can be damaged by mental and nutritional stress. Because of this, it’s crucial to provide them with a high-quality diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids so their coat stays luscious and healthy and they don’t shed excessively or abnormally.
SPRINGER SPANIEL GROOMING
Springer spaniels have distinctive plumage and long, curly ears that necessitate some frequent care.
Brushing your springer spaniel once a week will keep their feathers untangled and their ears clean. Fur on the ears and feathers surrounding the tail can be trimmed on a regular basis to keep them neat.
It’s also important to keep the fur between your dog’s paw pads trimmed. If a Springer’s hairy feet are allowed to get too long, the dog’s toes will splay and it will be difficult for the dog to walk. Make sure you don’t shave them too short, though; the fur should stop just above their paws.
Springers don’t require extensive maintenance beyond preventing mats in their lengthy coats. The thick outer shell serves dual purposes of protecting them from the elements and keeping them clean thanks to their double coat.
In order to help your spaniel stay comfortable and reduce the amount of winter fur it sheds, you may choose to have its fur cropped short before the warm weather arrives. The springer’s signature curly ears and feathers are typically not removed when the dog is cropped.
You should expect to discover white hairs all over the place because they shed moderately. Give them a good bath and brush them with a shedding comb on a regular basis, and you should be able to slow the spread of their fur.
The coats of show line springers are longer and thicker than those of their field line counterparts, and they lose more fur.
DO SPRINGER SPANIELS SHED?
As a result of having a double coat, Springer spaniels do shed somewhat. Therefore, people with serious allergies should not consider getting one of these dogs because they are not hypoallergenic. Inevitably, you will find a few stray white hairs on your clothing after petting an English springer spaniel because they constantly shed their fur.
The shedding, however, is more evident twice a year when they moult their coat in preparation for the new season. Fall is the time when their summer coat falls off and their longer, thicker winter coat begins to grow in preparation for the upcoming winter. Then, when the weather warms up, they’ll lose their heavy winter coat for a summer one.
The amount of hair your dog loses can be reduced with regular grooming and bathing. A shedding comb can be purchased to assist in the removal of loose fur from your dog’s coat.
SPACE AND STAMINA NEEDED FOR A SPRINGER SPANIEL
It should come as no surprise that springer spaniels, a breed created specifically to be a hard-working sporting dog, require a reasonable amount of daily activity. You don’t need a hunting ranch to enjoy the companionship of one of these stunning gundogs.
SPACE REQUIRED FOR A SPRINGER SPANIEL
Even though springer spaniels are an energetic breed, they don’t require a huge yard. An expansive garden is preferable, but a lengthy walk and some free time are also sufficient.
Your springer should be content with a modest home and yard if you provide it with enough mental and physical stimulation. They are too large and noisy to do well in an apartment setting.
HOW MUCH DAILY EXERCISE DOES A SPRINGER SPANIEL NEED?
A springer spaniel is not a dog for an inactive family; its high exercise requirements will make that clear.
Springers are bred to labour alongside their master for an entire day, making them true endurance athletes in the field. As a result, your springer spaniel should be able to accompany you on long hikes without showing any signs of fatigue.
However, a springer need at least an hour of daily exercise in the form of walks. Add in some extra lengthy walks into your weekly schedule if you can. (For some great suggestions on where to take Fido, have a look at our series on dog walks, which covers areas such as Cheshire and Kent.)
Your springer may benefit from up to two hours of daily exercise. Your dog will be overjoyed by this, but it’s not required. Most dogs are fine with a moderate stroll as long as they have plenty of time with their owners and other mental and physical stimulation throughout the day.
To keep your active, intelligent Springer entertained and his mind active, try some scent-work activities or other sorts of organised play.
