The English Springer Spaniel is an affectionate, tireless flushing dog, equally happy in the field or as a friendly family companion.
How the English Springer Spaniel coat is built, and what that means when you groom it.
Critical: A English Springer Spaniel should not be shaved.
The undercoat keeps heat out as well as in, and the outer coat shields the skin from sun and insect bites. Clipping the whole coat off removes both. It often grows back patchy, soft or a different colour, and in some animals the guard hairs never return properly. Brush the undercoat out instead of cutting it off.
Caution: A English Springer Spaniel coat mats easily.
Fine or long hair tangles at the base of the coat, out of sight, where the mats tighten and pull on the skin. Brushing has to reach right down to the roots in sections, not just skim the surface.
The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized English gundog bred to flush and retrieve game. Friendly, energetic, and biddable, it settles into active homes.
The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized sporting dog developed in England to locate and flush game birds for hunters. Its name reflects the way the dog springs, or startles, birds into the open. It works in close partnership with its handler and holds a steady, willing attitude through long days in the field.
Owners value the breed for its warm nature and its clear wish to please. Most Springers meet people cheerfully and, when raised alongside them, get on with children and other dogs. The same drive that makes the dog capable in the field also makes it a busy companion that needs something to do every day.
There are two broad types. Field-bred dogs are chosen for hunting ability, while show-bred dogs are chosen for conformation. Temperament is much the same across both, though they differ somewhat in coat length and overall build.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Size | Medium |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
| Group / role | Sporting (gundog), bred to flush and retrieve |
| Good with | Families, children, and other dogs when socialized |
The English Springer Spaniel fits owners who can commit to genuine daily exercise and steady company. It thrives with active families, hunters, and people who enjoy dog sports or long rambles. It is a weaker match for a household away for long stretches or one hoping for a low-energy dog, since boredom and too little exercise tend to surface as restlessness.
Springing spaniels flushed game for nets, falcons, and later guns in England for centuries. The breed was separated from the Cocker Spaniel by size and recognized in the early 1900s.
Spaniels have a long track record in England as bird dogs. Land spaniels of the springing kind appear in English writing as far back as the sixteenth century, put to work driving birds toward nets or toward falcons before firearms were widespread. These early dogs were working types kept for their usefulness rather than standardized breeds.
For much of that history, spaniels from one litter were sorted by size and by task rather than by pedigree. The larger pups sprang game and came to be called springing spaniels, while smaller littermates that worked woodcock were called cocking, or cocker, spaniels. Both could trace back to the same parents.
In 1902 The Kennel Club in England recognized the English Springer Spaniel as a distinct breed and formally divided it from the Cocker Spaniel by size. The standard described a larger, longer-legged dog built to cover ground and flush game to the gun.
The breed reached Canada and other countries during the early twentieth century. As breeders worked, two lines emerged: field-bred dogs kept for hunting performance and show-bred dogs selected for looks. Both lines carry on today.
A medium, well-balanced dog with a moderately long feathered coat and long, low-set ears. Coats are usually liver and white or black and white, sometimes with tan markings.
The English Springer Spaniel is a compact, balanced dog built for endurance rather than raw speed. It stands square to slightly longer than tall, with a level topline and a tail, docked or natural, that often carries a cheerful wag. The head is clean, the muzzle fairly long, and the expression soft. Long, low-set ears hang close against the cheeks and carry feathering.
| Trait | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | Roughly 48 to 56 cm (19 to 22 in) at the shoulder |
| Weight | About 18 to 25 kg (40 to 55 lb) |
| Coat | Medium-length, flat or slightly wavy, with feathering on ears, legs, chest, and belly |
| Colors | Liver and white, black and white, sometimes with tan markings |
| Eyes | Medium, oval, dark hazel to brown, with a kind expression |
The outer coat lies close and holds up against weather and brush in the field. The feathering on the ears, legs, and underside grows longer and asks for regular attention. Liver and white and black and white are the common patterns, and either may carry tan points above the eyes and on the cheeks. Field-bred dogs generally have shorter coats and less feathering than their show-bred counterparts.
Friendly, sociable, and eager to please, the Springer is usually good with children and other dogs. It has high energy and bonds closely, so it wants company and daily activity.
The English Springer Spaniel is a people-focused dog that wants to be near its family. It is affectionate indoors and tends to greet strangers warmly rather than with wariness, which makes it a poor watchdog but a pleasant one to live with. Most dogs of this breed do well with children when the handling is gentle and young kids are supervised.
The breed generally gets along with other dogs and can share a home with cats and other pets if introductions come early. Its bird-hunting past means it may chase small animals and is quick to lock onto scents and movement. Springers attach strongly and can grow unsettled when left alone for long spells, which may show up as barking, chewing, or pacing. Daily exercise and a bit of mental work keep behaviour on an even keel.
| Trait | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affection | 5 |
| Energy | 5 |
| Trainability | 5 |
| Vocalness | 3 |
| Shedding | 3 |
The Springer needs regular brushing, weekly ear care, and one to two hours of daily exercise. It suits active homes with secure outdoor space and company through the day.
The English Springer Spaniel settles into most homes that supply enough exercise and company. A house with a fenced yard suits it well, though it can manage a smaller space provided it is walked and worked every day. It does poorly when left alone for long hours and would rather be in the middle of household life.
Feed a complete, balanced food matched to the dog's age and activity, split over two meals. Working dogs need more than pets, and portions should keep a lean condition.
The English Springer Spaniel does well on a complete and balanced dog food formulated for its life stage. Working and highly active dogs burn more calories and may need larger portions or a performance formula, while quieter pets need less to hold off weight gain. Measure meals rather than leaving food down all day, and keep an eye on the waistline, since the breed puts on weight easily when overfed and under-exercised. Fresh water should always be within reach.
| Life stage | Amount per day | Meals per day |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (2 to 6 months) | Per puppy-food label, by weight and age | 3 to 4 |
| Adult (active pet) | About 1.5 to 2.5 cups of dry food | 2 |
| Adult (hard-working) | More than the pet amount, per energy needs | 2 |
| Senior | Slightly reduced, watch weight | 2 |
Hold treats to about 10 percent of daily calories and put them to work in training. Most dogs on a complete diet need no supplements, though a vet may suggest joint support for older or heavily worked dogs, or fatty acids for skin and coat. Check with a veterinarian before adding anything.
Generally healthy, the Springer lives about 12 to 14 years. Known concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, certain eye disorders, and ear infections tied to its drop ears.
The English Springer Spaniel is a sturdy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Responsible breeders screen the parent dogs for inherited conditions, which lowers the risk carried into their litters. Like every breed it has a few health issues owners should keep in mind, and routine veterinary care helps catch trouble early.
| Condition | Signs | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | Stiffness, limping, trouble rising | Joint malformation; screening of breeding stock reduces risk |
| Ear infections | Head shaking, odor, scratching at ears | Linked to long drop ears; regular cleaning helps |
| Progressive retinal atrophy | Night blindness, declining vision | Inherited eye disease; DNA and eye testing available |
| Hip and joint arthritis | Slowing down, soreness after exercise | More common with age |
| Ear and skin allergies | Itching, recurrent infections | May need diet or veterinary management |
Among the more trainable breeds, the Springer learns fast and aims to please. It responds best to positive, reward-based methods and early socialization.
The English Springer Spaniel learns quickly and enjoys working with its handler, which makes training easier here than with many breeds. It was bred to take direction in the field, so it picks up commands, retrieving, and dog sports with little fuss. The breed is sensitive and does not take well to harsh handling. Short, upbeat sessions with clear rewards get the best results. Early socialization with people, dogs, and new places helps a friendly puppy mature into a steady adult.
Females are usually bred after full maturity, around two years old. Gestation lasts about 63 days, and litters commonly number six to eight puppies.
Dogs reach sexual maturity well before they are mature in body and mind. Responsible breeders generally hold off until a female is around two years old and has passed her health screening before breeding. Mating is timed to her heat cycle, which comes around twice a year. Pregnancy runs about 63 days from conception.
Litters of English Springer Spaniels commonly hold six to eight puppies, though the count varies. Newborn pups are blind and deaf and rely fully on the mother for warmth and milk. Their eyes open at around two weeks, and weaning begins at three to four weeks. Puppies stay with the mother and littermates until about eight weeks, a stretch that shapes social behaviour. Early gentle handling and exposure to everyday household sights and sounds help raise well-adjusted adults.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Sexual maturity | About 6 to 12 months (breeding advised later) |
| Recommended breeding age (female) | Around 2 years, after health testing |
| Heat cycle | Roughly twice a year |
| Gestation | About 63 days |
| Typical litter size | 6 to 8 puppies |
| Weaning | Around 3 to 4 weeks, complete by about 8 weeks |
A free lifetime United Pet Club record for your English Springer Spaniel, with the microchip registered at no cost and kept current through every move.
Put your English Springer Spaniel on the registry before the gate is ever left open. The free United Pet Club profile stores the dog's name, birth date, and photo beside your contact details, and it stays free for as long as the dog is with you. Dog registration asks for a few fields, not a fee.
Sixty seconds with a scanner reads the chip; whether your English Springer Spaniel gets home depends on the record behind the number. Microchip registration with United Pet Club is free for life, takes every brand sold in Canada, and keeps the record searchable on both sides of the border. Sign up free and give the number somewhere to point.
Open a free United Pet Club account, fill in your English Springer Spaniel's name, breed details, and a photo, and save. The lifetime plan is free, no chip required, and the chip number can be attached after your vet appointment.
Add the 15-digit number to your account along with your address, postal code, and phone number. Registration and unlimited updates are free for life, and chips from any manufacturer a Canadian vet uses are accepted.
There is no federal requirement, but several cities fold chips into their licensing bylaws, and travel with the dog goes smoother when the chip is registered. The record, not the implant, is what identifies your English Springer Spaniel.
Nothing, ever. United Pet Club's lifetime plan covers the profile, the chip record, and every update without fees or renewals.
Common questions about the English Springer Spaniel cover its size, temperament, exercise needs, lifespan, family suitability, and how to find one.
It is a medium-sized dog, standing about 48 to 56 cm (19 to 22 in) at the shoulder and weighing roughly 18 to 25 kg (40 to 55 lb). Males usually run a little larger than females.
Yes. The breed is friendly and sociable and usually does well with children and other dogs when raised with them. It needs daily exercise and company, so it fits active households better than homes that sit empty for long hours.
Plan on one to two hours of activity a day, including running, fetch, and swimming where possible, plus some mental work. Without enough exercise the dog can turn restless and destructive.
It is one of the more trainable breeds. It learns fast and wants to please, and it responds best to reward-based methods and early socialization. Harsh handling does not suit this sensitive dog.
The typical lifespan is 12 to 14 years. Regular veterinary care, a healthy weight, and buying from health-tested parents all support a long life.
They shed a moderate amount and need brushing two or three times a week, regular ear cleaning, and occasional trimming of the feathering. Show-bred dogs with longer coats need more grooming than field-bred dogs.
Look for a breeder who health-tests the parent dogs and, where possible, is registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Rescue groups and breed clubs are another route to a Springer that needs a home. Field-bred and show-bred lines share the same friendly temperament but differ in build and coat drive.
