Although the exact origin of the English Springer Spaniel is not known, it is generally agreed that, like all spaniel breeds, their first home was in Spain and perhaps introduced to ancient Britons by the Roman legions.
The term “springer” was originally used to describe all land spaniels. The dog was used to spring (flush) or start game for the net, falcon or greyhound. Spaniels of a particular size or weight were developed to suit either the type of game that they were required to hunt, or the type of terrain they were used on. This led to there being a variety of spaniels.
The English Springer Spaniel was first recognised in England as an official breed in 1902. The first Field Trial Champion in the breed was in 1913. Since that time the English Springer Spaniel has a become a popular breed in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Scandinavia and across Europe as a field working dog, a companion and a show dog.
Appearance
English Springer Spaniels are a medium sized sporting dog. They are characterised by long, drooping ears, a medium to long coat, a happily wagging tail. They have a kind and friendly expression. An English Springer Spaniel stands at around 51cm tall at the shoulder and weighs around 21-24 kilos.
They may be black and white, liver and white, or either combination with tan points known as a tri-coloured. They can be with, or without ticking or freckles. Each English Springer Spaniel has its own unique and individual coat marking. Coats should be of medium length, flat and should have a glossy and healthy appearance.
Prior to 2004 most English Springers had docked tails. Since that time, a ban on tail docking has been in force, so you will now notice an English Springer Spaniel by his long, wagging tail.
Temperament
A Springer with good temperament should be friendly, easy-going, and relaxed. Over and above anything else, the most important thing when you first meet a Springer is, that he or she must show neither aggression or timidity.
Springers are cheerful dogs with a sense of humour. They are affectionate, good with children and noisy with intruders. If you're looking for a guard dog, please consider another breed. Although its barking might deter an intruder, the typical Springer temperament is that of a loving, gentle (though active) dog. At best, the Springer might immobilise an intruder, while attempting to be petted.
Maintenance
Springers require a certain amount of grooming and trimming to keep them looking neat. It can be very enjoyable to learn to do this yourself, or you can locate a professional groomer to provide assistance from time to time.
Regular grooming helps control coat loss and keeps the coat in top condition. Regular, thorough brushing is required to keep the coat flat and free of dead hair and knots. The hair between the pads of the feet should be kept trim and nails need to be cut regularly. Ears must be checked and/or cleaned at least once a week because Springer's floppy ears can be prone to infections.
Health
Like most other breeds of dogs, the English Springer Spaniel can be prone to hereditary diseases. These may include eye disorders such as Retinal Dysplasia and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Other inherited diseases include Fucosidosis (an autosomal recessive disorder), Acral Mutilation Syndrome and Hip Dysplasia. Epilepsy is also said to exist in the breed.
Purchasing your puppy from a reputable breeder, who regularly screens and tests for these sorts of disorders, will give you the best opportunity to obtain a healthy, happy English Springer Spaniel.
Training & Exercise
Strong, merry and active are three important words when talking about the English Springer Spaniel. It should be remembered that this is a breed that was developed to work, therefore Springers benefit from being trained, be it for a formal discipline or merely to take its place in the family home. All puppies need time and patience and Springers need as much as any other, perhaps a little more than some of the less energetic breeds, but they will reward you with love and devotion, not to mention a great deal of fun, if you give them the right grounding.
Obedience training your Springer at an early age is very important as this helps to develop a bond between you and your dog as well as making them more manageable to live with. A properly trained and well socialised Springer is a wonderful pet for all ages!
An English Springer Spaniel approaches maturity at around 3 years of age. Until this time he is very much still a puppy.
Suitability
English Springers make excellent house pets and thrive with moderate exercise, though some Springers can be high energy dogs. They are actively represented in obedience, agility, flyball and therapy as well as being fine hunters, show dogs and companions.
Springers are intensely people oriented and are not happy as full time kennel dogs. This does not mean that they should not be confined. Any responsible breeder will ask you if you have a fenced yard or kennel in which to protect your dog.
Remember, being a dog owner entails a lifetime of responsibility. In the case of an English Springer Spaniel this could be for up to 16 years or more. Children love to play and are fascinated with the new puppy once it arrives home, but children's interests and activities change frequently. This may well end up being YOUR dog for life. English Springer Spaniels are wonderful family pets and companions. They are loving, devoted dogs, eager to please and beautiful to look at. Because they are of medium size, they can live comfortably in city apartments (with proper exercise, of course) or large country homes.
The English Springer Spaniel is a dog for all seasons, an endearing energetic companion for the owner who is willing to give it the time that it deserves. Highly thought of by the police as sniffer dogs, well known in the field trial world for their tireless enthusiasm, a joy to behold when moving around the show ring in their own distinctive style, a wonderful family pet and a good companion for young and old alike.
The time and effort you spend to find the right Springer should reward you with a wonderful companion for many years.
If you are considering including an English Springer Spaniel as a family member, please make enquiries with reputable breeders.
Now you know a little about the English Springer Spaniel, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the English Springer Spaniel and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.
Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 10 May 2010)
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
General Appearance
Symmetrically built, compact, strong, merry, active. Highest on leg and raciest in build of all British land Spaniels.
Characteristics
Breed is of ancient and pure origins, oldest of sporting gundogs; original purpose was finding and springing game for net, falcon or greyhound. Now used to find, flush and retrieve game for gun.
Temperament
Friendly, happy disposition, biddable. Timidity or aggression highly undesirable.
Physical Standards
Head and Skull
Skull of medium length, fairly broad, slightly rounded, rising from foreface, making a brow or stop, divided by fluting between eyes, dying away along forehead towards occipital bone which should not be prominent. Cheeks flat. Foreface of proportionate length to skull, fairly broad and deep, well chiselled below eyes, fairly deep and square in flew. Nostrils well developed.
Eyes
Medium size, almond shaped, not prominent nor sunken, well set in (not showing haw), alert, kind expression. Dark hazel. Light eyes undesirable.
Ears
Lobular, good length and width, fairly close to head, set in line with eye. Nicely feathered.
Mouth
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Good length, strong and muscular, free from throatiness, slightly arched, tapering towards head.
Forequarters
Forelegs straight and well boned. Shoulders sloping and well laid. Elbows set well to body. Strong flexible pasterns.
Body
Strong, neither too long nor too short. Chest deep, well developed. Well sprung ribs. Loin muscular, strong with slight arch and well coupled.
Hindquarters
Hindlegs well let down. Stifles and hocks moderately bent. Thighs broad, muscular, well developed. Coarse hocks undesirable.
Feet
Tight, compact, well rounded, with strong full pads.
Tail
Docked: Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action.Undocked: Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action. In balance with the rest of the dog.
Gait/Movement
Strictly his own. Forelegs swing straight forward from shoulder, throwing feet well forward in an easy free manner. Hocks driving well under body, following in line with forelegs. At slow movement may have a pacing stride typical of this breed.
Coat
Close, straight and weather resisting, never coarse. Moderate feathering on ears, forelegs, body and hindquarters.
Colour
Liver and white, black and white, or either of these colours with tan markings.
Size
Height: approx. 51 cms (20 ins).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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