English Springer Spaniel – Breed Information, Temperament & Care

If you want a dog that acts like you've been gone for a year when you've just been outside to take the trash out, the English Springer Spaniel might be for you. This medium-sized gundog was bred to work closely with people, and it shows—springers are affectionate, energetic, and happiest when they're glued to your side.

Here's what you need to know before you adopt one.

The English Springer Spaniel has that classic spaniel face: big, soft eyes, long ears with feathering, and a medium-length coat that can be flat or wavy. Males typically weigh about 50 pounds, females closer to 40 pounds, with both standing about 19 to 20 inches at the shoulder.

You will most commonly see them in liver-and-white or black-and-white, but tri-color and ticked coats occur as well. The breed is the tallest of the spaniels, with just enough leg to cover rough ground swiftly, a trait that made it useful for flushing game birds out of thick brush.

Not all Springers are the same. Field-bred dogs are generally leaner, higher-energy, and bred for stamina when hunting. Bench-bred (show-line) dogs tend to be a little more stocky and adapt to home life more easily. They are the same life span and general temperament, but if you want a couch companion rather than a hunting partner, a bench-bred pup is usually the easier fit.

Friendly to a fault, almost, this breed. English Springer Spaniels are friendly and eager to please dogs who really enjoy the company of kids, other dogs, and strangers. They're smart, too, smart enough to get bored if you don't give them something to do.

That people's focus and intelligence are double-edged swords. Springers want to be close to their families, and if left alone too much, they can develop separation anxiety or start barking and chewing to burn off energy. This is not a breed to leave out in the backyard all day long.

If you're not out for ten hours a day and want a low-maintenance dog, a Springer Spaniel is a good match if you can give it daily exercise and real attention.

Plenty. These dogs were bred to work out in the field for hours, and that drive hasn't gone away just because most Springers today live in suburban homes. Make sure you get at least an hour of active exercise each day—a run, a long hike, or a serious game of fetch. Springers also tend to love water and will happily jump into a lake or pond given the chance.

A dog that does not get enough physical and mental exercise might be restless, mouthy, or destructive. Puzzle toys, scent games and obedience training help expend the mental energy that plain walks can't.

Moderate grooming is needed for Springer Spaniels. They have a medium-length coat that needs to be brushed once or twice a week to prevent mats, especially around the ears, legs, and chest, where the feathering grows the longest. They shed, so if you have one indoors, expect a lot of vacuuming.

The primary maintenance issue is their long, drooping ears. Springer ears are prone to infections because they trap moisture and don't get much airflow. Check and dry after baths, swims, or rainy walks, and clean regularly with a vet-approved solution.

The English Springer Spaniel has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, which is excellent for a medium-sized dog. They're generally hardy dogs, but a few genetic conditions pop up often enough to watch for:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia – limping, stiffness, unwillingness to jump or climb stairs
• Ear infections – shaking the head, smell, redness inside the ear
• Skin allergies – itching, redness, excessive paw licking

Buying from a breeder who screens for hip and elbow health, and taking your dog to the vet at least once a year (twice a year for seniors), goes a long way toward catching problems early.

Yes, this is one of the reasons Springers are so popular with households with children. Springers are gentle, playful, and, in general, patient, especially when brought up with children from puppyhood. When socialized properly, they also usually do well with other dogs and pets.

They also make decent watchdogs. Springers are not naturally yappy dogs but will bark to let you know if something is amiss, and that, along with their loyalty, gives many owners a sense of security without the aggressive edge.

Springers learn quickly and do best with positive, reward-based training. Treats are excellent motivation, and they are so eager to please that harsh corrections tend to backfire—they do better with patience than pressure.

Begin socialization and basic obedience training early. They are smart and energetic, making them ideal playmates for dog sports like agility, flyball, and dock diving, which are also great outlets for all that drive.

The breed originated in England in the early 1800s, and "springers" were so named for their job–springing game birds from heavy cover for hunters. The English Springer Spaniel was recognized as a breed by the Kennel Club in the UK in 1902 and by the American Kennel Club in 1910. Since then the breed has developed a reputation as a top gundog and a show-ring star, including several Best in Show wins at the Westminster Kennel Club.

This breed makes sense if you're active, spend a lot of time at home, and want a dog who's all in for your daily life. It's a harder fit if you work long hours away from home, live in a small space with no easy access outside or want a dog that's happy to be alone.