English Springer Spaniel Dog Breed Information and Personality Traits

The English springer spaniel is a medium-sized dog, ranging in height from 19 to 20 inches and in weight from 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kilograms). This dog is a sturdy one for his size with quite a bit of bone and large paws.

The English springer spaniel has the classic "spaniel" look to him: large and expressive eyes, a moderate muzzle with a definite stop to the forehead, long-hanging ears with some feathering, and a docked tail. The lips can be long and may lead to drooling in some dogs. The dog is the tallest of the spaniel breeds, with a fair amount of leg for covering rough ground quickly.

The English springer spaniel has a medium-length coat, which can be flat or wavy. Extra hair is on the ear fringes, feathering on the rear of all four legs, and on the chest. The colors most commonly seen are liver and white or black and white, but tricolored and ticking are variations.

Personality:

English springer spaniels were selected as fairly close-working hunting partners and have a strong desire to be with people and to be working. Energetic and lively dogs; they have a fair amount of intelligence and are reasonably easy to train. Most spaniels have a retrieving urge, and the English springer spaniel is no exception. This urge can lead to chewing problems if the dog is left alone for long periods of time.

Socialize English springer spaniels to other dogs and people right from the start, even though most are fairly outgoing and friendly. Most English springer spaniels do not do well with kennels or sedentary lifestyles. Digging can be a problem with bored dogs.

Living With:

The English springer spaniel is a fairly easy keeper, so too many treats can lead to obesity. These are dogs that do best with plenty of exercise, be that hunting, jogging with you or training in agility. As intelligent dogs, they are happiest when working with you and respond well to training. English springer spaniels are often seen competing in hunting, obedience and agility tests. These dogs are hardy and often live into their teens.

English springer spaniels can be surprisingly good watchdogs, offering a loud alarm bark and at least some protectiveness. They do well with children if raised with them. These dogs do best with early socialization and training. A few English springer spaniels may be content as "couch potatoes," but most prefer to be active. English springer spaniels do seem to like water work as well as land work, and may be attracted to puddles.

Grooming can be a bit of a chore with an English springer spaniel, though this dog requires less work than the smaller cousins. Most owners clip their English springer spaniels at least somewhat and certainly trim around the legs, feet and ears. The show clip requires a steady, skilled hand with the clippers. Daily brushing out of the feathers and long coat is important to prevent matting. Weekly cleaning of the ears is important.

History:

The English springer spaniel comes from the spaniels that were popular as far back as the 1500s as hunting companions in England. Spaniels were considered dogs that flushed out game, sometimes actually causing the game to "spring." Initially, all the spaniels were interbred and distinctions were made only on adult height.

In the 1800s, the Duke of Norfolk became interested in the spaniels and developed his own line, initially called the Norfolk spaniel and now the English springer spaniel. The English springer spaniel has separated again somewhat into field (hunting) and show lines, but many dogs can do both. Most English springer spaniels today are valued family members that may occasionally get the chance to hunt.

With victories in Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club competition, including the first show of the new millennium, the popularity of the English springer spaniel is destined to grow.