English Springer Spaniel: Awesome Family Pets

Description

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog, 19 to 20 inches tall and weighing 40 to 50 pounds. Their common ancestor closely resembles the Cocker Spaniel and the Welsh Springer Spaniel. People unfamiliar with these breeds will be hard-pressed to tell them apart. The coat of English Springers has white markings, usually with liver, black, tan, or a combination of these colors. Show dogs have more extended and less coarse hair than those born for fieldwork. These Spaniels are number 27 of 197 in the AKC’s breed popularity. The AKC includes the English Springer Spaniel in the Sporting Group.

History

English Springer Spaniels are gundogs bred for flushing and retrieving games from thick grass and brush, especially birds and rabbits. They are generally medium-sized dogs, although King Charles Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Papillons are part of the AKC Toy Dog Group and seldom (if ever) are used for hunting. English Springer Spaniels were developed in England during the 19th century from a now-extinct breed, the Norfolk Spaniel. Springers are closely related to the English Cocker Spaniel. At one time, puppies from the same litter were either Springer or Cocker based on size. The larger was a Springer, and the smaller was a Cocker. The Kennel Club recognized the Springers as a distinct breed primarily from the Cocker Spaniel in 1902.  In 1927, the American Kennel Club adopted the breed’s standards and revised them in 1932. During the 20th century, some English Springers were conformation (show dogs) while others were hunters. This breeding has caused two fairly distinct variations.

Are English Springer Spaniels Good Family Pets?

English Springer Spaniels are excellent family dogs. They are affectionate, friendly, and eager to please and thrive on human companionship. Springers become attached to one person and stick as close to them as possible. This breed does well with children and other family pets. English Springers are not aggressive but still are good watchdogs. They will bark when a stranger comes around. However, since they are not guarding dogs, and once the barking is over, they will want petting by any newcomer. Stanley Coren’s book, “The Intelligence of Dogs,” ranks this breed just above average in doggy smarts. They are relatively easy to train. It would be best if you brushed your English Springers weekly and bathed as necessary. They do shed, although not heavily, so they are a hypoallergenic breed. If you do not like grooming your dog, you might take a trip to a groomer to trim its coat, especially around its feet and under its tail, and keep its nails trimmed.

Are English Springer Spaniels Healthy?

The average lifespan of an English Springer Spaniel is 12 to 14 years. They are generally healthy but may be more likely than some other breeds to suffer from hip dysplasia or eye problems. They are susceptible to ear infections like most spaniels and dogs with floppy ears. There are various common infections, and treatment usually involves taking oral antibiotics and cleansing the ear canal daily with a substance that also causes the ear to become acidic and inhibits the growth of yeast and germs. Autoimmune illnesses, including allergies and other environmental sensitivities, are other health issues. They may also be prone to several eye conditions, such as inward- or outward-curling eyelashes or even an extra row of lashes, which may necessitate surgery for correction.

Where Can I Get An English Springer Spaniel?

An English Springer Spaniel puppy will probably cost around $1,000 from a breeder. The AKC marketplace is one place to start your search for a Springer puppy. If you are interested in a rescue dog, go to the English Springer Spaniel Rescue website.