English Springer Spaniels were created to be gun dogs to flush game in the field, but they’re also excellent companions.
Versatile and athletic, they’ve been known to participate in hunt tests, agility, tracking, obedience trials and more. They are great to have along when you go hiking or camping.
You’d have difficulty finding a more affectionate furry family member, but this pup needs room to run. Apartment dwellers, beware!
Famous English Springer Spaniels
A Brush with Love (2019)
The Hunt (2012)
In Her Shoes (2005)
Famous Owners
Cesar Millan, George W. Bush, Ed Stourton (BBC Broadcaster), Prince Harry, Luke Bryan, Anderson Cooper
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History
Spaniards or traders are thought to have introduced spaniels to other parts of the world many centuries ago, thus their name. As far back as 300 A.D., spaniels were mentioned in Welsh law. Over 1,700 years ago!
16th- and 17th-century artwork depicts dogs that look like today’s English Springer Spaniel. The spaniel was used before guns were invented to flush game birds and small animals into the open for hawks, hounds, or nets to capture. The use of firearms in the 17th century led to spaniels being particularly effective at flushing game for shooters.
It was common for dogs of the same litter to be classified by their hunting use rather than their breed during England’s 19th and early 20th centuries. Cockers were the dogs that hunted woodcock and were the smaller dogs in the litter. Larger pups of the same litter were used for flushing game and were called springers.
The Kennel Club of England granted the English Springer Spaniel a special place in their Stud Book in 1902 and a separate classification at their show in 1903.
A Canadian breeder imported an English Springer Spaniel in 1913. Over ten years later, the breed was among the American Kennel Club’s most popular breeds. Founded in 1924, the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association is the parent club of the species in the United States.
Field trial enthusiasts began creating dogs with qualities that would produce top results on the field in the early 1940s, while show enthusiasts developed dogs that were consistent with the breed’s standard and had the “flash” to win shows.
Historically, field-bred dogs have been bred for a keen sense of smell, speed, style, and working ability. Today, the two types are not interbred. In both types of English Springer Spaniels, the instinct to work and the ability to learn the gun are present, but very few can work in both field and show environments.
Traits
The English Springer Spaniel, named for how he “springs” at game to flush it for the hunter, has long been a favourite with sportsmen. Still, this lively, beautiful dog also makes an excellent family companion if he receives the training and exercise he needs.
Besides being intelligent, English Springer Spaniels are enthusiastic and eager to please. The dogs seem happy and witty. As long as they are brought up with children from puppyhood, they do well with children and are affectionate toward their families. Typically, they get along well with other pets, even small ones, but may view pets as prey since they’re bred to hunt birds.
As hunting dogs, English Springer Spaniels need a lot of exercise but keep them leashed in unfenced areas, or they may go hunting on their own. English Springer Spaniels are excellent athletes, which is why many non-hunting owners use them for obedience, agility, flyball, and tracking. In hospitals and nursing homes, they make excellent therapy dogs.
Despite English Springer Spaniels’ barks, if you’re looking for a guard dog, keep looking. The dogs are loving and gentle, expecting attention from even strangers.
They aren’t one-person dogs due to their affectionate nature. It is not advisable to leave them home alone or isolated for long periods since they are very people-oriented and may become nuisance barkers if left alone.
It is a medium-sized dog with a typical spaniel expression and drop ears. They have medium-length coats with a dense, feathered fringe on their ears, chests, legs, and belly, protecting their compact bodies. The wag of their docked tail can only be described as gleeful. They have longer bodies than they are tall. Too long a body can quickly tire a dog, which is highly undesirable for a hard-working sporting dog!
Two English Springer Spaniels might look very different if you put them next because some sporting (hunting) breeds are bred to work in the field, while others are produced for show purposes only. English Springer Spaniels have become two very different types over time.
For the past 70 years, field and show dogs have had almost entirely separate gene pools. There’s no doubt that Field Springer Spaniels are athletes, and they look the part, too. Their coats are usually shorter, their noses are pointier, and their ears are shorter. They are bred for their hunting abilities, sense of smell, and trainability.
The hair on show spring spaniels is longer, the muzzle is squarer, and the ears are long. Showmanship and good looks make them prized. While show dogs can hunt, they’re too slow and methodical to excel in field trials, where field-bred Springers excel.
When choosing a puppy, you have to consider the differences. The English Spring Spaniel comes in two varieties: those intended for work in the field and those designed for showing. Make sure you understand the differences and choose the most suitable for your needs.
Health
This breed is typically healthy, but like all breeds, they may experience specific health conditions. Not every dog of this breed will get these diseases, but it’s essential to be aware of them. Some common health problems include:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Retinal Dysplasia
- Entropion
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Skin Disorders
- Ear Infections
- Phosphofructokinase (PFK) Deficiency
Regardless of how healthy your dog is, a pet’s health insurance plan can
help you stay prepared for any of your dog’s medical needs.