English Springer Spaniel
🧠 Temperament & character
The English Springer Spaniel is cheerful, eager to work and enduring, at the same time friendly and willing to learn. He is strongly oriented towards people and loves to carry out a task together. Without enough exercise and mental occupation he quickly becomes unbalanced. With motivating, clear training he is a very cooperative, cheerful partner.
📜 Origin & history
The English Springer Spaniel is one of the oldest land spaniels of Great Britain; his name comes from the fact that he made game 'spring up' so that it could be shot or caught with nets. From the larger representatives of the old field spaniels the independent breed arose in the 19th century, from which the Cocker and other spaniels also emerged. He became a versatile hunting dog for flushing and retrieving. Today a clear distinction is made between high-performing working lines and calmer show lines.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The English Springer Spaniel's medium-length, dense coat with its feathering needs regular brushing and, depending on the line, occasional trimming; the drop ears must be checked and kept dry. His exercise needs are high: he needs plenty of daily running, scent work and ideally a hunting or sporting task such as dummy training. Mental occupation is just as important as physical. He is very willing to learn and easy to handle, which makes him a rewarding training partner.
🩺 Health
The English Springer Spaniel usually reaches an age of around 12 to 14 years. Typical of the breed, hip and elbow dysplasia, hereditary eye conditions such as PRA and ear infections favoured by the drop ears can occur; in individual lines the hereditary PFK deficiency occurs. Responsible breeders examine joints and eyes and use available genetic tests.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The English Springer Spaniel suits active, adventurous people and families who can offer him plenty of daily exercise and a task. For sporty first-time owners he is manageable, provided they correctly gauge his high energy. Ideal is a nature-oriented home, preferably with a garden, but with sufficient occupation active apartment keeping is also possible. Anyone looking for a calm couch dog will not be happy with this spirited flusher.