Springer Spaniel: Your Complete Guide
Springer spaniels, or English springer spaniels, are English dogs that belong to the spaniel group of dogs. Spaniels are known for their ability to hunt, retrieve items or objects, and to flush smaller animals out of small holes. This made them effective hunting and companion dogs for most of their history.
Today, springer spaniels are more likely to be found in homes as a compassionate companion.
Springer spaniels adapted well to family life and developed a personality that people love. They’re affectionate, easy to care for, and tend to be attentive to their owners’ needs and training. Most springer spaniels also love to play and can help you tire out your little ones if you have small children.
That said, there’s a lot more to learn about springer spaniels before you consider adopting. Thankfully, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about springer spaniels and laid it out in one simple place. Read on to learn more.
Quick Look at the Springer Spaniel
Below is a quick glance at the springer spaniel in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 18-20 inches, 40-50 pounds |
| Coat Type | Short, dense undercoat and medium-length top coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Playful, loyal, alert, kind |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
What Is the History of Springer Spaniels?
The springer spaniel has a vast history that goes all the way back to 1576 John Caius described spaniels in his book: Treatise of Englishe Dogs. The purpose of this book was to describe the spaniel breed and assign them functions, like hunting for specific prey. This is how springing and cocking spaniels came to be.
From there, litters of spaniels started to become popular, and they consisted of springer spaniels and cocker spaniels. The springers would chase birds up to be captured, and the cockers would hunt woodcock.
While spaniels were common from the 16th century to now, they went through a lot of transformation to get to where they are. Many springer spaniels were bred with other dogs or spaniels to achieve unique breeds.
Additionally, many breeds were named after regions they came from and this started to pick up in the 19th century. A great example is the Northfolk springer spaniel, which was a larger springer spaniel and they were bred well into the 1850s before becoming a distinct breed.
The springer spaniel is also recognized by kennel clubs around the world, including the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1910. This process began in 1899 when the Spaniel Club of England and the Sporting Spaniel Society had trials with each other for the very first time.
Once the standards were developed from these trials, the breed started to take shape in 1902 and that led to them being recognized by kennel clubs around the world.
What Do Springer Spaniels Look Like?
Springer spaniels tend to have a sleek and muscular build. As the name implies, this slender and muscular build had to be enough to chase prey and birds.
While they have a slender and more muscular build than the cocker spaniel, that doesn’t mean they lack the common spaniel traits. You’ll find that most springer spaniels have long, floppy ears, a narrow snout, and medium-sized black or brown eyes.
When it comes to coat color, springer spaniels are unique compared to some other spaniels, but they look similar. Their coats are medium in length but can become long and shaggy if you don’t properly groom them. Additionally, they can be a few colors. The most common color is white with black, but they can also have tricolor coats that include shades of blue.
What Size Is a Springer Spaniel?
Springer spaniels are medium-sized dogs, which means you can expect them to be taller and heavier than your average Chihuahua. Expect a springer spaniel to be around 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 40 and 50 pounds. It’s also important to note that male and female springers are similar in size, with females being slightly smaller.
What Is a Springer Spaniel’s Coat Type and Length?
Springer spaniels have medium-length coats that can sometimes grow longer without proper grooming. However, they should be kept at medium length for their health. Springer spaniels also have two coats. The top coat is a longer, wavy coat that can sometimes be straight or curly at the top.
On the other hand, the bottom coat hugs their body and functions as insulation. Due to their two coats, springer spaniels are weather-resistant, which makes them great hunting companies.
What Is a Springer Spaniel’s Temperament?
Springer spaniels are brave, loyal, and kind dogs. They were bred to be hunting companions, so they do have a little bit of a prey drive that can get them into trouble with smaller animals. That said, this can be trained away with behavioral training and obedience training.
Springer spaniels are also alert, calm and make good watchdogs due to their patience. These dogs also don’t have a fear of water, and may even prefer it sometimes, so you have to watch them around pools or lakes.
Are Springer Spaniels Good With Kids?
Springer spaniels are great with children! They love to play and have plenty of energy to tire themselves and the little ones out. This makes them great companions for growing children of all ages.
While springer spaniels are great with kids, that doesn’t mean they’re perfect, and accidents can happen. Therefore, always keep an eye on your children when they’re playing with your springer spaniel.
Are Springer Spaniels Good With Other Animals?
Springer spaniels are great with other animals, but only if they have the proper socialization training.
These dogs can have a prey drive to their hunting history, so it’s possible for them to chase after small animals. The good news is that these behaviors can be altered and fixed with socialization training from an early age. We recommend starting at around six months of age if you adopt a springer spaniel as a puppy.
Once adapted to the family, they can become a key member that gets along great with other animals in the house.
Are Springer Spaniels Aggressive?
Springer spaniels are not aggressive dogs. While they can get aggressive when chasing other animals or during hunting trips, don’t expect them to display that level of aggression at home. Expect springer spaniels to be calm, cool, and patient in most situations because they will only use aggression if they feel threatened.
It’s important to note that some springer spaniels may have aggressive tendencies that appear seemingly at random, which is a type of genetic rage problem. This can cause them to lash out but only for short outbursts. It’s a very rare condition.
Do Springer Spaniels Bark?
Springer spaniels have a loud and imposing bark, which can make it difficult for them to live in shared housing if they bark often. That said, springer spaniels are more reserved than many dog breeds, so don’t expect them to bark often.
You usually won’t have to worry about them barking unless they see another animal or something else that’s interesting outside. Even then, it’s rare for springer spaniels to bark without a purpose.
Are Springer Spaniels Affectionate?
Springer spaniels are affectionate dogs once they become comfortable in their environment. If you’re friendly and loving with your springer spaniel they have no problem reciprocating. In fact, they may even try and sit on your lap even though they probably won’t fit.
Affection goes both ways with springer spaniels, so you’ll have to put in some effort to get to that point. Furthermore, springer spaniels might not open up to strangers right away because they need to develop trust.
Are Springer Spaniels Intelligent?
Springer spaniels are smart dogs. Due to their history of hunting, they’re known for their intelligence and alertness. This makes it easy for them to learn tricks and respond to commands. Springer spaniels are also smart enough to solve puzzles and learn how to swim if given the time for them to practice.
While springer spaniels are smart, sometimes this can get them into trouble. If you don’t keep an eye on them, springer spaniels may chase other animals, investigate scents, or try and escape your yard to go exploring. The good news is that you can train your springer spaniel to behave on or off their leash with the right training.
Are Springer Spaniels Energetic?
Springer spaniels are energetic dogs. They love to play, swim, and run around the backyard. For this reason, you should try and give them at least one or two hours of exercise per day. This is enough to get their heart pumping and blood flowing, which is crucial for their health.
Furthermore, exercise is important to keep them at a healthy weight and to make sure they’re tired when it’s time for bed. Springer spaniels that don’t get enough exercise might end up being a menace in the evening hours. That said, this can vary based on the dog, so keep that in mind.
Are Springer Spaniels Easy to Train?
Springer spaniels are easy dogs to train if you know where to start. We recommend starting with a basic obedience training course to get started, which helps you build the foundation for additional training.
Once a springer spaniel is obedient, you’ll find that they’re one of the easier dogs to train due to their high intelligence. This intelligence also stretches to an emotional level as well, which makes them great support animals who can learn complex therapy techniques like deep pressure therapy.
Springer spaniels are also eager to work. If you plan on going on hunting or fishing trips, you can train a springer spaniel to come with you. They’re fast learners and will help you catch your prey in no time at all. Other training is also possible as they have completed agility events and have even won some. Therefore, the sky’s the limit for springer spaniel training.
Are Springer Spaniels Good Watchdogs?
Springer spaniels can be good watchdogs with the right training. While they don’t bark often, you can teach them to bark at specific things, which can help them alert you to possible danger. Springer spaniels can also be trained to watch your back when you’re hunting or hiking, so they can help in some scenarios.
Springer spaniels are also brave and loyal dogs, so they will do their best to protect your family if it ever needs protecting. That said, they’re not the most intimidating breed, so don’t expect them to keep people away based on their appearance.
Are Springer Spaniels Good Service Dogs?
Springer spaniels can be trained to do just about anything. This means that service dog training isn’t outside the realm of possibility. They also have a lot of emotional intelligence and can form deep bonds with their companions, which makes them great for keeping people calm and relaxed.
For these reasons, springer spaniels can make good physical and psychiatric service dogs. In fact, they can be trained to perform complex tasks like checking rooms or reminding someone when it’s time for them to take their medication.
While springer spaniels can be good service dogs, they’re not one of the more common service dog breeds. This is due to their high energy levels. Springer spaniels like to be active, and for someone who is sedentary, they might not be a good fit.
That said, springer spaniels can make great therapy dogs or emotional support animals. Emotional support animals don’t require special training but therapy dogs may need to learn a thing or two before becoming effective.
How to Care for a Springer Spaniel?
Caring for a springer spaniel isn’t challenging if you know where to start. The most crucial part of caring for a springer spaniel is getting comfortable with them and making sure they get plenty of exercise. You can help them exercise through training or by taking them on walks or runs.
Springer spaniels also require care for their coats and health, so make sure you groom them regularly and take them to the vet at least once per year.
Do You Need to Groom a Springer Spaniel?
Springer spaniels don’t require a ton of grooming, but you do have to keep their coat at the right length. Therefore, we recommend grooming them for at least 4-6 weeks or taking them to a professional.
You should also brush them daily to bond with them and to remove any knots from their coat. We also recommend taking springer spaniels to professional groomers because their ears are more prone to infection than some other breeds and groomers can help you keep them clean.
Do Springer Spaniels Shed?
Springer spaniels will shed all-year long, so get ready to vacuum up some hair. Additionally, springer spaniels also shed more during the fall and spring months, which is when their dense undercoat starts to change. For this reason, expect more shedding during these months and it can even trickle into summer or winter.
Unfortunately, springer spaniels are not hypoallergenic, so if you’re allergic to dogs, they might not be the best fit. In these cases, do your best to clean up more during shedding seasons for the best results.
What Health Problems Do Springer Spaniels Have?
Springer spaniels aren’t prone to many health conditions but there are some health issues to keep an eye on.
One of the rarest health issues that these dogs may face is a mental health problem that leads to aggressive behavior and rage, which is known as springer spaniel rage disorder. This is a hereditary condition that causes the dog to lash out at furniture, people, or even caretakers. Thankfully, this is rare because it usually has to do with breeding practices.
Eye problems can also develop in springer spaniels. One of the most common eye problems for the springer spaniel is progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which is rare but can cause a springer spaniel to go blind in less than two years.
Joint pain, bloating, and dysplasia in the hip and elbow joints are also common. While joint pain will often develop later in life, dysplasia is a chronic condition due to poor joint development.
Ear infections and skin infections are also possible, with ear infections being the more likely of the two.
How Long Do Springer Spaniels Live?
Springer spaniels can live long life spans, but only if you care for them properly. You need to make sure they get plenty of exercise, eat a healthy diet, and take trips to the vet at least once per year. Following these practices can help them live for 12-14 years.
What Should a Springer Spaniel Eat?
Springer spaniels need to eat a diet that’s made for medium-sized dogs, so make sure you include kibble or wet food that states this on the bag. You should also give them plenty of treats, especially if you’re focusing on positive reinforcement training.
Obesity and other health problems can also become common later in life, so make sure you adjust their diet accordingly. Springer spaniels can also handle most types of table food well, so you don’t have to worry about too many health issues there.
Is a Springer Spaniel the Right Dog for Me?
Springer spaniels are great dogs and can become a healthy and productive member of any family. It doesn’t matter if you have other pets or small children, springer spaniels won’t cause too many problems.
That said, these dogs require training and attention to form a healthy bond with their owners. So, springer spaniels are best suited for people who have the time to train and play with them – around 1-2 hours daily.
Springer spaniels also work best in homes that have access to a backyard due to their high energy levels and size. Still, if you have a large apartment and access to dog parks or other public places in your area you can get by.