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English Springer Spaniel - Sporting


English Springer Spaniel

Family:

gundog, spaniel


Area of origin:

England


Original function:

bird flushing and retrieving


Average size of male:

Ht: 19-21, Wt: 50


Average size of female:

Ht: 18-20, Wt: 40


Other names:

none


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    Energy

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    Exercise

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    Playfulness

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    Affection

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    Friendliness towards dogs

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    Friendliness towards other pets

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    Friendliness towards strangers

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    Ease of training

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    Watchdog ability

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    Protection ability

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    Grooming

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    Cold tolerance

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    Heat tolerance

Picture: Yann Arthus-Bertrand/Corbis |

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Temperament

The English springer spaniel is cheerful, playful and energetic, ready for a day in the field and an evening by the hearth. He does everything with gusto and can be overly enthusiastic unless given plenty of exercise. The typical springer is the ideal family companion.

Care

As an energetic and inquisitive dog, the springer needs daily mental and physical exertion. An outing in the field, long walk on leash and good obedience lesson can go far to making the springer a calm and well-behaved house dog. This breed does best if allowed to live in the house with access to a yard. His coat needs brushing or combing one or two times weekly plus clipping and scissoring every three months. Springers from field, rather than show, lines tend to have less coat.

Health

Major concerns: otitis externa, CHD, PRA, elbow dysplasia
Minor concerns: ectropion, entropion
Occasionally seen: phosphofructokinase deficiency, skin fragility, gastric torsion, rage syndrome
Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye, DNA for phosphofructokinase deficiency
Life span: 10-14 years

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American Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel
Field Spaniel
Irish Water Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
Welsh Springer Spaniel

Interested in the history of the English Springer Spaniel breed?

Expand

As the spaniels became increasingly specialized, the larger land spaniels that ranged farther afield became extremely useful at flushing or "springing" game. Before the advent of shotguns, the game was flushed into nets or then chased by falcons or greyhounds. The first reference to springers referred to land spaniels in the late 1500s. Around 1800, distinct strains of carefully bred springers began to develop; one of the best known was bred by the Duke of Norfolk. His dogs so heavily influenced the breed that for a while the breed was called Norfolk spaniels. The name was changed to springer spaniel in 1900. The matter is complicated by the fact that the larger springer and smaller cocker spaniels were simply size variations of the same breed. Only in 1902 did the English Kennel Club recognize the springer as a distinct breed. In America, the American Spaniel Club was formed in 1880 and began the task of separating the springer and cocker sizes. After separation, the springer continued to thrive. He has remained popular with hunters demanding a versatile gun dog that ranges fast and far and that can also flush and retrieve. He is also a popular show dog and pet.


Work With a Group

Some animal welfare organizations with English Springer Spaniels ready for adoption:

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