English Springer Spaniel
Also known as Springer
- Height at the withers
- 46 to 51 cm
- Weight
- 18 to 25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- England
- FCI group
- 8 · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
A medium-sized, athletic and compact hunting spaniel with long ears and a silky, feathered coat. Enthusiastic and always eager to work with you, it has a gentle, intelligent expression and is very versatile in the field.
History and origins
Developed in England as a versatile gun dog whose job was to find game and flush it (“to spring”), then retrieve it. Long told apart from the Cocker by size alone within the same litter, it was recognized as a separate breed by the British Kennel Club in 1902.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Fucosidosis
- Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long, silky coat. Moderate shedding, average coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Very easy, 5 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
English Springer Spaniel FAQ
How big does the English Springer Spaniel get?
The English Springer Spaniel stands 46 to 51 cm at the withers and weighs 18 to 25 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the English Springer Spaniel shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs average care.
Can the English Springer Spaniel live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the English Springer Spaniel need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the English Springer Spaniel good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the English Springer Spaniel live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as ear infections.
