fellfolioFlushing and retrieving dog
English Springer Spaniel
A friendly, energetic gundog that loves using its nose and needs plenty of time outdoors with its people.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at shoulder
- 51 cm
- Weight
- 18 to 23 kg
- Lifespan
- over 10 years
- Activity
- Very high
- Grooming
- Several times weekly
- Training
- Often cooperative
- Owner experience
- First dog with support
A nose for the search
English Springer Spaniels were bred to find game in dense cover and flush it into the open. That work gave the breed its name. On an ordinary walk, a fresh trail at the edge of a path can still be more interesting than the path ahead. Many Springers also check back with their people and enjoy working together.
That mix of scent, pace and sociability makes recall worth practising early. Start where wildlife is scarce and reward the dog for turning away from a trail. Springers from working lines can be particularly fast and enduring. When choosing a puppy, it helps to ask how the adult dogs in its family spend their days.
Everyday life
The UK veterinary charity PDSA advises more than two hours of exercise a day for an adult Springer. That time can be spread across long walks with sniffing breaks, short searches and training together. Hide a food pouch in the grass and let your dog find it. In places where wildlife may appear, practise recall; use a long line until you can rely on it.
Springers like being involved in family life. After an outing, the dog should have somewhere quiet to sleep undisturbed.
Staying home alone
Dogs learn to stay home alone in small steps. The RSPCA advises no more than four hours at a time. Puppies and dogs that become unsettled when left alone need shorter absences and gradual practice. Arrange someone to care for your dog when you will be away longer.
Everyday dog training: recall, a loose lead and clear communication ↗
Day-to-day care
The smooth, weather-resistant coat is longer around the ears, chest and legs. Brush once or twice a week, and remove burrs after trips through undergrowth before they work deeper into the coat. PDSA also recommends clipping roughly every three months.
The long ears make ear infections more likely. Check them if your dog shakes its head often, scratches an ear or develops an unpleasant smell. A sore ear needs a veterinary check; cleaning alone will not address the cause.
Size and build
The English Springer Spaniel is a sturdy, medium-sized dog. PDSA gives a height of about 51 cm at the shoulder and a weight of 18 to 23 kg. It stands taller on its legs than other British land spaniels, but its body is compact and balanced. A deep chest, muscular hind legs and firm paws suit a dog bred to work through rough cover.
Long, feathered ears and a smooth coat with fringes on the legs and body are characteristic. The coat may be liver and white or black and white, sometimes with tan markings.
From puppy to senior: caring for your dog through every life stage ↗
Health
If you are looking for a puppy, ask to see the parents’ actual health results. PDSA lists hip and elbow dysplasia among the breed’s possible problems. Poorly developed joints can cause pain and later arthritis. Request the results for both joints rather than accepting a general assurance that the parents are healthy.
Eyes deserve attention too. Progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, can gradually affect sight. The Royal Kennel Club recommends eye screening and a DNA test for the breed-specific form of PRA. Ask which tests each parent has had and what the results mean. The long ears need separate attention in daily life: repeated head-shaking, scratching, redness or an unpleasant smell warrant a veterinary check.
Could this breed fit your life?
Could work well if …
- You have time for long walks that let your dog sniff and search.
- You enjoy practising recall and working together, even when wildlife is nearby.
May be less suitable if …
- More than two hours of daily exercise would not fit your routine.
- You do not want to manage hunting instincts on walks.
Similar needs, different dogs.
Selected by shared size, activity, grooming and training characteristics.
Flushing spaniel
Welsh Springer Spaniel
The Welsh Springer Spaniel searched for birds while working close to people. Today it needs long walks with time to sniff and a recall practised around the distraction of birds.
Herding dog
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds were developed on western US ranches to herd livestock and work closely with people. In family life, they may watch bicycles or running children. Calm training at a distance helps them let movement pass.
Herding dog
Border Collie
A Border Collie often notices even the smallest movement. This sheepdog from the border between England and Scotland learns quickly and enjoys working with people. Living with one means making time for long walks and shared activities, as well as giving the dog enough peace and quiet to rest at home.
Sources and photograph credit
- Teaching your dog to be left alone
Used in this profile for: Staying home alone
- English Springer Spaniel · breed profile and health
Used in this profile for: Temperament, Health
- English Springer Spaniel · breed standard
Used in this profile for: Size and build
- Ear infections in dogs
Used in this profile for: Day-to-day care, Health
- English Springer Spaniel · breed guide
Used in this profile for: Size / Weight, Temperament, Everyday life, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Health, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
Photo credits
Portrait · Springer Spaniel on the lawn · Joseywales1961 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Edited
Side view · Paul Groom Photography Bristol · Pexels License
In action · Rafaëlla Waasdorp · Unsplash License
Puppy · Rubenstein Rebello · Pexels License