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.
A medium-sized gundog from England, recognised by the IKC. Friendly, energetic, and easy to train, it suits active Irish families and working gun dog enthusiasts.
The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized sporting dog developed in England to find and flush game birds for hunters. The name comes from the way the dog springs game into the open. It works closely with its handler and keeps a steady, willing attitude through long days afield.
The breed is recognised by the Irish Kennel Club (IKC) in the Gundog Group and is actively supported by the Irish Gundog Club (IGDC). It is one of the most popular working gundogs in Ireland, valued by hunters for flushing woodcock, snipe, pheasant, and partridge across Irish woodlands, bogs, and river margins within NPWS Wildlife Acts seasons.
Two broad lines exist in Ireland: field-bred dogs selected for hunting performance and show-bred dogs selected for conformation. Both share an affectionate, people-oriented temperament, though they differ somewhat in coat length and build.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Size | Medium |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
| Group / role | Gundog (IKC), bred to flush and retrieve game |
| Good with | Families, children, and other dogs when socialised |
The English Springer Spaniel fits owners who can provide real daily exercise and regular company. It suits active families, hunters, and people who enjoy field sports, dog sports, or long country walks. It is less suited to a household that is empty for long hours or that wants a low-energy companion, as boredom and insufficient activity can lead to restlessness and unwanted behaviour.
Spaniels of the springing type were used in Britain for centuries to flush game. The breed was recognised in 1902 and is now one of Ireland's most popular working gundogs.
Spaniels have a long record in Britain as bird dogs. Land spaniels of the springing kind appeared in English writing from the sixteenth century, used to drive game toward nets or falcons before firearms were common. These early dogs were not standardised breeds but working types kept for their hunting usefulness.
For much of their history, spaniels from a single litter were sorted by size and role rather than by pedigree. Larger pups used to spring game became springing spaniels, while smaller littermates that worked woodcock were called cocker spaniels. Both could come from the same parents.
In 1902 the Kennel Club in England recognised the English Springer Spaniel as a distinct breed, separating it formally from the Cocker Spaniel by size. The standard set a larger, longer-legged dog suited to covering ground and flushing game to the gun.
The breed reached Ireland in the early twentieth century and built a strong following among working gun dog enthusiasts. Field-bred Springers are particularly popular with hunters working pheasant and woodcock shoots within NPWS Wildlife Acts seasons. The Irish Kennel Club places the breed in the Gundog Group, and the Irish Gundog Club supports both field and show lines.
A compact, balanced dog with a long feathered coat and low-set ears. Liver and white or black and white are the usual colours, sometimes with tan markings.
The English Springer Spaniel is a compact, well-balanced dog built for endurance. It stands square to slightly longer than tall, with a level topline and a natural tail that wags readily. Under Irish law, tail docking is banned by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, so all dogs bred in Ireland carry full, natural tails. The head is clean with a fairly long muzzle and a soft, kind expression. The long, low-set ears hang close to 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 |
| Colour | 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 resists weather and undergrowth in the field. Feathering on the ears, legs, and underside is longer and needs regular attention, particularly after bog walks where burrs and debris can mat the coat. Liver and white and black and white are the usual patterns, and either can carry tan points above the eyes and on the cheeks. Field-bred dogs tend to have shorter, less heavy coats than show-bred dogs, which is practical in wet Irish conditions.
Friendly and eager to please, this breed gets on well with children and other dogs when socialised. It forms close bonds and needs daily exercise and human company.
The English Springer Spaniel is a people-oriented dog that wants to be close to its family. It is affectionate at home and typically greets strangers in a friendly way rather than with suspicion, which makes it a poor guard dog but a pleasant and sociable companion. Most dogs of this breed get on well with children when handled gently and supervised with young kids.
The breed generally gets on with other dogs and can live with cats if introduced early. Its bird-hunting background means it may chase small animals and is drawn strongly to scents and movement. Springers form strong attachments and can become unsettled if left alone for long stretches, which may show as barking, chewing, or pacing. Daily exercise and some mental occupation keep behaviour steady.
| Trait | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affection | 5 |
| Energy | 5 |
| Trainability | 5 |
| Vocalness | 3 |
| Shedding | 3 |
The breed needs brushing, ear care, and one to two hours of daily exercise. Ear drying after bog walks or river swims is important in Ireland's wet Atlantic climate.
The English Springer Spaniel adapts to most homes that offer enough exercise and company. A house with a secure garden suits it well, but it can live in a smaller space if walked and worked daily. It does not do well left alone for long hours and is best suited to a household where it can be part of daily life.
When bringing a dog from Great Britain, the Pet Travel Scheme applies. Dogs imported from other countries require a DAFM third-country health certificate and advance notification to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Feed a complete, balanced food suited to the dog's age and activity, in two meals daily. Working dogs need more than house pets, and portions should keep the dog lean.
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 working-dog formula, while less active house pets need less to avoid weight gain. Measure meals rather than free-feeding, and keep an eye on the dog's waistline, as the breed can put on weight if overfed and under-exercised. Fresh water should always be available.
| 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) | Above the pet amount, adjusted to energy output | 2 |
| Senior | Slightly reduced; monitor body condition | 2 |
Keep treats to roughly 10 percent of daily calories and use them for training. Most dogs on a complete diet do not need supplements, but a vet may suggest joint support for older or heavily worked dogs, or fatty acids for skin and coat condition. Speak to your vet before adding any supplement.
The breed is generally healthy with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Known concerns include hip dysplasia, ear infections, and certain inherited eye conditions.
The English Springer Spaniel is a sturdy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Responsible breeders screen parent dogs for inherited conditions, which reduces risk in their puppies. Like all breeds it has some conditions that owners should watch for, and routine vet care helps catch problems early.
| Condition | Signs | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | Stiffness, limping, difficulty rising | Joint malformation; screening of breeding stock reduces risk |
| Ear infections | Head shaking, odour, scratching at ears | Linked to long drop ears; regular cleaning and drying after wet outings 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; weight management and vet-prescribed care help |
| Ear and skin allergies | Itching, recurrent infections | May need dietary adjustment or ongoing vet management |
Quick to learn and eager to please, the English Springer Spaniel responds best to positive methods and early socialisation for steady, confident results.
The English Springer Spaniel learns quickly and enjoys working with its handler, which makes training more straightforward than with many breeds. It was bred to take direction in the field, so it picks up commands, retrieving, and dog sports readily. The breed is sensitive and does not respond well to harsh handling. Short, upbeat sessions with clear rewards work best. Early socialisation with people, dogs, and new environments helps a friendly puppy grow into a steady, confident adult.
The female is usually bred from around two years of age, after health testing. Gestation lasts about 63 days and litters typically contain six to eight puppies.
Dogs reach sexual maturity well before they are physically and mentally mature. Responsible breeders generally wait until a female is around two years old and has passed health screening before breeding. Mating is timed to the female's heat cycle, which occurs roughly twice a year. Pregnancy lasts about 63 days from conception.
Tail docking of newborn puppies is prohibited in Ireland under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. All English Springer Spaniels bred and kept in Ireland carry natural, undocked tails.
Litters commonly contain six to eight puppies, though the number varies. Newborn puppies are blind and deaf and depend fully on the mother for warmth and milk. 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 period that shapes social behaviour. Early gentle handling and exposure to household sounds and activity help produce 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, fully weaned by about 8 weeks |
Irish law wants every dog chipped and recorded; United Pet Club keeps your English Springer Spaniel's record free, current, and there for life.
Get the profile sorted first: your English Springer Spaniel's name, his date of birth, a photo, and your phone number, saved in a couple of minutes. The record is free for the whole of his life, and the chip number slots in whenever the vet has done his part. Dog registration is where it starts.
Lodge your English Springer Spaniel's fifteen digit number with United Pet Club and the chip finally earns its keep: free registration for life, every brand accepted, and a record the ISPCA or any warden can turn into a phone call. Microchip registration takes minutes, and the free account covers the profile while you're at it.
Set yourself up with a free United Pet Club account, key in your English Springer Spaniel's details and a photo, and save. The profile holds for the whole of his life without charge, and the chip number can be lodged whenever you have it.
Lodge the fifteen digit chip number in your free account along with your address and phone number. The lifetime plan covers the registration and every update after it, free, whatever brand the vet used.
It is. The 2015 Regulations require every dog to be chipped and registered, pup or rescue alike. Keeping the record current is the part that falls to you, and United Pet Club makes that part free.
Not a penny. Profile, chip record, and every amendment are covered for life, with no renewal ever.
Common questions cover finding English Springer Spaniel breeders in Ireland, size, exercise, ear care, and the difference between field and show lines.
The Irish Kennel Club (IKC) maintains a list of registered breeders on its website. The Irish Gundog Club (IGDC) is also a useful point of contact, particularly for working field-line dogs. Always visit the breeder, meet the parents, and ask for hip screening and eye health certificates before committing.
Yes. The breed is friendly and sociable and gets on well with children and other dogs when raised with them. It needs daily exercise and company, so it suits active Irish families who can give it time outdoors, whether that is in the countryside, at the beach, or in local parks.
Plan on one to two hours of activity each day, including running, fetch, and swimming where possible. Dogs used for hunting within the NPWS season naturally get more field work, but pet Springers still need the same level of daily exercise year-round to stay settled and content.
The long, hanging ears can trap moisture in Ireland's wet Atlantic conditions, which raises the risk of infection. Dry the ears thoroughly after bog walks, river crossings, and swims, and check them weekly. Regular cleaning with a vet-approved solution reduces the risk significantly.
It is one of the more straightforward breeds to train. It learns quickly, wants to please, and responds well to reward-based methods and early socialisation. A reliable recall is the most important skill to establish, as the breed will follow a scent when off the lead.
Both types share the same friendly temperament but differ in build and coat. Field-bred Springers are typically lighter with shorter coats and higher drive, well suited to a day's work on Irish ground. Show-bred dogs have heavier feathering and are bred to the IKC conformation standard. Both lines are well represented in Ireland.
No. Tail docking is prohibited in Ireland under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. All English Springer Spaniels bred or kept in Ireland carry natural, full-length tails. Dogs imported from countries where docking is still practised may have docked tails, but the procedure cannot be carried out here.
