English Springer Spaniel - Overview and History
Dog Breeds
The English Springer Spaniel, also known as the Springer Spaniel, the Springer, the Wood Spaniel, the Norfolk Spaniel, the Springing Spaniel or the “gamekeeper’s dog,” was originally used to flush game for hunters and falcons centuries ago. It was named for its primary function, which was to frighten the game and make it “spring” out of hiding.
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Introduction
The English Springer Spaniel, also known as the Springer Spaniel, the Springer, the Wood Spaniel, the Norfolk Spaniel, the Springing Spaniel or the “gamekeeper’s dog,” was originally used to flush game for hunters and falcons centuries ago. It was named for its primary function, which was to frighten the game and make it “spring” out of hiding. When guns were invented, the English Springer Spaniel was transformed into an upland game hunter, which remains its talent today. It is a friendly, eager to please and quick to learn dog, willing to do what is asked of it without resentment or hesitation. This breed is highly active and requires regular daily exercise to avoid boredom. The English Springer Spaniel was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1910 as a member of the Sporting Group.
The mature male English Springer should stand 20 inches at the withers and weigh approximately 50 pounds; adult bitches should stand about 19 inches in height and weigh approximately 40 pounds. This breed has a protective undercoat and a firm topcoat. Characteristic colors are white with black or liver; other colors may appear but are not preferred. Tails are normally docked.
History
The English Springer Spaniel was first recognized as a distinct breed in 1902, by the Kennel Club (England). Before that time, the English Springer and the Cocker Spaniels came from the same litters, with the smaller Cockers being used to hunt woodcock and the larger English used to “spring” larger game. The English Springer Spaniel was bred to find, flush and fetch game and is known to work tirelessly all day and be happy to return to the easy companionship of home and family. This breed is thought to be the ancestor of most other contemporary spaniels and makes an excellent family pet if given sufficient exercise as an outlet for its enormous energy.
English Springer Spaniels came from England to Canada and to the United States starting in the early 1900s. In 1924, the breed became better known in this country when the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association was founded. The association became the breed’s parent club three years later. In those early days, it was not uncommon for English Springers to compete successfully in the show ring one day and in the field the next. However, over time, there has become a “field” Springer Spaniel and a “show” Springer Spaniel in terms of type. Most hunters feel that show fanciers have inappropriately exaggerated the breed’s physical traits by focusing on appearance rather than character. There is only one breed standard for this breed, and it describes the ideal conformation and characteristics of all English Springer Spaniels.
Today’s English Springer Spaniel continues to excel in field and hunting tests, obedience trials, agility trials and conformation shows. The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association promotes all of these disciplines for the breed and remains the parent club with the AKC. The most recent breed standard was updated and approved in 1994.
The English Springer Spaniel retains its unique type: moderate size, substance and balance, with a beautiful chiseled head, an endearing expression and endless devotion to its people. Potential owners must remember the breed’s true purpose as a hunter and make sure that it gets enough attention and exercise to keep it satisfied.
Health
The average life span of the English Springer Spaniel is 12 to 14 years. Breed health concerns may include ear infections, epilepsy, patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, food hypersensitivity, psoriasiform-lichenoid dermatosis, cutaneous asthenia, secondary megaesophagus, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, lysosomal storage disease, entropion, plasmoma, keratoconjunctivitis (Dry Eye), chronic superficial keratitis (pannus), refractory corneal ulceraction, corneal dystrophy, glaucoma, cataracts, trichoepithelioma, melanoma, cutaneous hemangioma, anal sac adenocarcinoma, hip dysplasia, phosphofructokinase deficiency and progressive retinal atrophy.
English Springer Spaniel
Quick Facts
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Weight: 40-50 lbs
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Height: 19-20 in
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Coat: Long, wavy, silky
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Temperament: Intelligent, eager to learn
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Lifespan: 12-14 years
Personality
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