English Springer Spaniels
Origin & History
The English Springer Spaniel emerged as a distinct breed in the 1800s though Spaniel like dogs had existed for several centuries prior. It originated in England as a gundog trained to flush game birds out into the air (spring), where they could be caught by trained hawks or falcons. The English Springer Spaniel was also skilled at hunting waterfowl. The spaniel name was changed from Norfolk Spaniel which was originally named after The Duke Of Norfolk for his influential breeding program. The name was changed in 1900 and was officially recognized as a distinct breed by the AKC in 1910. At the time the English Springer Spaniel was essentially a larger version of the Cocker Spaniel but clubs soon formed to promote its development with much success. Today the English Springer Spaniel is a popular gun dog, show dog, and all around family dog. Its popularity is in the top 30 most popular dog breeds.
Size
The English Springer Spaniel male has a shoulder height of 19 to 21 inches and weighs 45 to 500 pounds. The females tend to be slightly smaller with shoulder hights at 18 to 20 and a weight of 35 to 45 pounds. The breed has large lips, long ears, oval eyes, and a moderate stop (depression where the muzzle meets the forehead). English Springer Spaniels have sloped shoulders and a tail which is normally docked.
Coat
The English Springer Spaniel has a dense smooth coat which is dirt and water resistant. English Springer Spaniels are black and white, liver and white, and also a tri-color that is a combination of black, liver, and white.
Character
The English Springer Spaniel is obedient, friendly, and sociable. They are easy going and eager to be a part of the family. The English Springer Spaniel will become hyperactive if ignored or unexercised so be sure make time for this active breed. It also enjoys playing with toys.
Temperament
The English Springer Spaniel is known for its ability to get along well with other pets, and children. As with all breeds socialization when young is prefered to make them more comforatable around others.
Care
The English Springer Spaniel requires grooming with a brush several times a week and trimming or clipping several times a year. The lifespan of a Springer is generally 10 to 14 years. Some Springers are prone to ear infection which can be prevented by regular cleaning.
Training
The English Springer Spaniel is not difficult to train. It's very intelligent, quick to learn, and eager to please. They can learn a wide variety of hunting skills such as following hand signals, senting, flushing quarter, soft mouth, and retrieve to hand. For indoor companionship, puppies can be house trained in a few days.
Activity
The English Springer Spaniel is a sporting dog with exercise requirements. They enjoy playing in the yard, going for walks, and love retrieving and swimming.
Living
The English Springer Spaniel will do okay in apartments if sufficiently exercised. They adapt well to town and city life. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with an average sized yard to play.