| Description: The typical Springer is friendly, eager to please, learns quickly and willing to obey. Such traits are conducive to tractability, which is essential for appropriate handler control in the field. Most English Springer Spaniels are even-tempered, gentle, friendly, and sociable dogs that are great for kids. These dogs are intelligent, skillful, willing, obedient, playful, energetic and a quick leaner. They’re merry, brave and sweet tail-waggers. It is affectionate, good natured, sincere, cheerful and courageous. Springers do best when they are with people as much as possible. They love water and may constantly get themselves wet and muddy. Usually they are good with other pets with the possible exception of birds. Springers can sometimes be argumentative with same sex dogs.
This breed can be destructive and bark a lot if left alone. Springers need wise guidance through what is called their "teenage" time. Some are high-energy and they are all intelligent. They need a soft, but firm hand so they always know who is in control.
The Springer Spaniel gets its name from his method of flushing game: he springs forward to drive birds out of hiding. This breed hunts well both on land and water, is good at work in brush and is a fine retriever. The English Springer Spaniel's merry, gentle personality makes him an ideal family dog.
Height: 19 - 20 inches
Weight: 49 - 53 lbs.
Colors: Liver and white, black and white, tan markings
Coat: Close, straight and weather resistant; never coarse
Temperament: Willing, active, faithful, intelligent
With Children: Yes, with proper socialization.
With Pets: Yes
Special Skills: Field sports dog and family pet
Watch-dog: High
Guard-dog: Low
Care and Exercise: Regular grooming of the coat with a stiff bristle brush. Bathe only when necessary. Occasional trimming of ears and pads of the feet. It is recommended he receive professional grooming once or twice a year. Needs long daily walks and the opportunity to run and play off leash.
Training: May be headstrong, but is intelligent, learns easily and has a desire to learn.
Learning Rate: High, Obedience - High, Problem Solving - High
Activity: Indoors - Medium - High, Outdoors - High
Living Environment: Enjoys living in the house but having a fenced in backyard. Does not do well in small apartment or with people who live a sedentary life.
Health Issues: Usually sound and healthy. May have eye abnormalities or ear infections.
Life Span: 10 - 15 Years
Litter Size: 7
Country of Origin: England
History: One of the oldest spaniels, he was originally known as the Norfolk Spaniel. He gained his title of "springer" because of his usefulness in "springing" game for the gun.
First Registered by the AKC: 1910
AKC Group: Sporting Group
Class: Gundog |
