Springer Spaniel

Recommended for: Families

Maintenance Level: Medium

Lifespan: 12-14 years

Temperament:
Active, loyal, intelligent

Health Risk:
This breed has an around average probability of having health issues in its lifetime, hence it is one of the more affordable breeds to insure.

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Breed Overview

The Springer Spaniel, also known as the English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized gun dog, originally developed for the flushing-out and retrieval of game. Springer Spaniels are a loyal, excitable and very energetic breed, highly affectionate towards their owners and always keen to please.

Of the spaniel family, the English Springer Spaniel is related to the old Norfolk Spaniels or Shropshire Spaniels of the mid-1800s. They are essentially the same breed as the Cocker Spaniel and Welsh Springer Spaniel as all these breeds were once born to the same litters. While the smaller Cocker types were developed for hunting small game like woodcock, the larger Welsh Springer and English Springer Spaniels were employed to track and flush-out small and medium-sized game like rabbits, foxes and hares.

Springer Spaniels are very intelligent dogs and have great enthusiasm for exercise and games. Developed as a hunting dog, the Springer Spaniel loves to play fetch and go for long walks. They require a good deal of exercise and human attention.

They are a friendly breed and considered to be very tolerant of children. Springer Spaniels are affectionate, loyal and very trainable. Like all breeds, they need a strong and dominant master to thrive; good, clear instruction, paired with firm and consistent discipline will see the Springer Spaniel develop into a dependable and well-behaved family companion.

Springer Spaniels come in only a few colours: black or dark brown with a variety of white markings. They can be tri-colour also; in this case, black, dark brown and white with tan markings. The breed loves water and will swim whenever given the opportunity. This is handy when bathing their medium-length coats as their active nature can cause Springer Spaniels to get rather dirty, quite quickly.

The average Springer Spaniel will grow to between 48 and 56cm tall and a healthy adult should weigh between 23 and 24kgs. A healthy English Springer Spaniel will live to between 12 and 14 years of age.

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Personality and Temperament

The English Springer Spaniel is considered to be one of the most intelligent breeds of domesticated dog. Developed as a gun dog and later as a companion animal, the Springer Spaniel is a loyal, energetic and enthusiastic animal.

Highly intelligent and playful, Springer Spaniels are bounding with energy and require quite a level of human attention and companionship. The breed’s hunting background means that it is lively and excitable; your Springer Spaniel will need at least one walk daily to stay happy and healthy. Like all spaniels, Springer Spaniels love to play games and excel at ball games and fetch. Their high intelligence requires regular mental as well as physical stimulation.

Springer Spaniels tend to become bored and mischievous when left unto their own devices for any extended length of time. Avoid destructive behaviour and separation anxiety by including them in your family’s day-to-day activities.

When on outings to a public park or in a built-up area, Springer Spaniels should be closely supervised. Their strong prey instinct means that, once let off the lead, Spring Spaniels will tend to pursue smaller animals or cars. They can be easily distracted by interesting smells and will wander off if not controlled.

Springer Spaniels have a reputation for being great with children. They are strong dogs, however, and can become easily excited so some smaller kids may find them a little too much to handle at times.

The breed is a great companion animal and is always eager to please its master. Once trained properly and socialised from an early age, Springer Spaniels are a great family option.

Common Springer Spaniel Diseases & Conditions

Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This is a disease that will occur in Springer Spaniels and can lead to blindness. The nerve cells at the back of the eye degenerate over time and will cause cataracts to form. If you suspect your dog has signs of PRA, see your vet for observation as soon as possible. If there is still vision in the eye, corrective surgery may be an option.
Pannus is the abnormal growth of tissue over the cornea and can affect the Springer Spaniel. Cherry eye is a common term for prolapse of the third eyelid gland. The result is a third inverted eyelid. The condition is reasonably common and can be treated by your veterinarian.
Hip Dysplasia. This is a hereditary condition and common in many breeds where the hip doesn’t develop as it should, often resulting in prolonged limping and eventually lameness in later life.
Patellar Luxation. Can affect the Springer Spaniel quite often and is simply a disorder that causes the dislocation of the kneecap.
Skin Allergies. Springer Spaniels are prone to skin allergies and may develop rashes or excessive hair loss as a result. Keep an eye out for scratching and general discomfort. Visiting the vet can bring about a solution, but regular bathing and flea control is a good preventative measure.

Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.

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History

The English Springer Spaniel’s ancestors are thought to be the old English Norfolk or Shropshire Spaniels, descendants a Spanish spaniel breeds that are thought to have been introduced to Britain by the Romans some thousands of years ago.

What is certain is that the Springer Spaniel was developed, like its ancestors before it, primarily for the hunt. First developed in the mid-1800s, English Springer Spaniels together with Welsh Springer Spaniels were taken from the same litters as the Cocker Spaniel. The smaller Cocker variety was put to work hunting woodcock, while the larger Springer type was developed to track and ‘spring’ game for the hunt.

The breed was considered a noble and reliable gun dog throughout the United Kingdom well into the 20^th Century and remains a popular choice among land owners throughout England today.

The first showing of the Springer Spaniel occurred in 1903 when F. Winton Smith exhibited ‘Beechgrove Will’.

With the start of the First World War, the show scene in the United Kingdom and Europe went to ground and the first Springer Spaniel Club wasn’t founded until 1921. The breed experienced fluctuations in registrations throughout the 1930s and 40s and it wasn’t until after the Second World War that the Springer Spaniel gained a revived popularity.

As of 2008, the English Springer Spaniel was determined the third most popular breed in the United Kingdom. The breed is a popular choice for Australians as well, and has experienced a margin of success in the United States.