Whether you’re looking for a hunting companion or an adorable lap dog, the English Springer Spaniel could be just what you’re looking for. They have some of the sweetest personalities, but once they hit the field, they’re ready to spring into action. They’re great for such a diverse range of applications that it’s no wonder they’re a commonly sought-after pet. Let’s get into all the details of this interesting breed down below.

Breed Overview

As the second most famous Spaniel breed, the English Springer Spaniel stands a little taller than their smaller Cocker Spaniel cousins. They’re loving, easy to train, and can fit into a wide range of homes, meaning there’s a good chance one might be the right choice for you.

English Springer Spaniel Characteristics

English Springer Spaniel Puppies

The English Springer Spaniel isn’t the most popular dog breed in the country, but they’re far from obscure. In fact, they’re the second most popular spaniel breed, so it shouldn’t be too challenging to track down a breeder in your area.

However, if you’re looking to rescue one, you might find it a bit more challenging to track one down. Purebred dogs often don’t end up in shelters, and if they do, people usually quickly pick them up. So, you might be more likely to find a mix containing this breed.

If you are planning on buying from a breeder, take your time to find a reputable one who allows you to inspect the facility and provides references you can contact. Doing a little more homework helps ensure you’re not accidentally supporting a puppy mill, and it reduces the likelihood of your pet developing serious health issues down the road. After all, all reputable breeders should be providing you with proof of certain health screenings.

Temperament & Intelligence of the English Springer Spaniel 🧠

If you’re looking for the ideal breed for first-time dog owners, the English Springer Spaniel would be near the top of the list. They have an amazingly sweet and loving personality, and with an eagerness to please their owners and a high intelligence level, training these dogs can be a bit easier than with some other breeds.

And if you’re thinking of adding more dogs to your family in the future, they love being a part of a pack, so you’re not pigeonholing yourself into a single dog. Just keep in mind that, like many dogs, the English Springer Spaniel will typically bond with one person more than anyone else, so they’re not always the most equitable with their time after they form their bond, which might be ideal if you’re looking for a hunting companion.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

While the English Springer Spaniel is an outstanding pet in many regards, you do want to be a little more careful with them around smaller children. While they’ll usually get along great with kids, occasionally, you’ll find one that doesn’t do the best with younger and smaller children.

Typically, proper socialization can ensure they get along great with everyone, but you’ll still want to take the time for a meet and greet with all family members before bringing an English Springer Spaniel into your home. You also need to take the time to teach your children how to behave around pets, and you can’t ever leave them unsupervised together.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

While the English Springer Spaniel generally gets along well with other dogs and pets, they do have a hunting pedigree. Because of this, you’ll want to be a little more careful when bringing them into your home without gradual introductions.

Proper socialization can help mitigate these concerns, and with proper training, there’s no reason you can’t safely and happily keep an English Springer Spaniel with other pets in your family.

Things to Know When Owning an English Springer Spaniel

Owning an English Springer Spaniel is much like owning any other dog breed, but they do present a few of their own challenges. You want to go into any situation with a new pup with all the available information, which is why we came up with this brief guide that breaks down all the essential things to know when owning an English Springer Spaniel.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Because most English Springer Spaniels tend to be similar in size, their feeding requirements tend to be pretty standard too. For most high-quality kibbles, they need between 1¾ and 2½ cups daily, but this depends on their activity level. If you’re ever in doubt about what to feed them, the best thing you can do is to talk to your vet and follow their suggestions. However, if you already have a kibble brand in mind, you can usually follow the feeding instructions on the packaging to keep them at a healthy weight.

Exercise 🐕

With their hunting background, the English Springer Spaniel likes having a place to run around and roam, so we recommend a fenced-in yard. If they don’t have one, you’ll need to make frequent trips to the dog park to accommodate their need for physical movement. However, you should still live a pretty active lifestyle, as 1 to 2 hours of daily exercise is best for this breed. If you don’t meet their daily exercise requirements, you can easily run into destructive boredom behaviors.

Training 🦮

Compared to many other dog breeds, the English Springer Spaniel is pretty easy to train. Not only are they eager to please their owners, but their high intelligence levels mean they’re smart enough to figure out what you want from them.

But even with these traits, you still need to stick with a consistent training schedule, aiming for one daily session lasting between 10 and 15 minutes. Stick with positive reinforcement and bring a few of their favorite treats along to really lock in their attention.

Grooming ✂️

One area where the English Springer Spaniel is relatively easy to care for is their grooming requirements. While their longer coats might look like they take a lot of work to maintain, brushing them out a few times a week is usually more than enough. However, this might need to be increased if they spend lots of time roaming the fields.

Moreover, English Springer Spaniels are moderate shedders, so you will certainly have some hair in your home, but it could be far worse. In addition to their brushing requirements, you’ll want to give them a bath about once every other month, and be sure to brush their teeth daily to keep up with oral hygiene.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Unfortunately, while the English Springer Spaniel is great in all sorts of categories, one area where they lag a little behind is their potential genetic health problems. While going with a reputable breeder can help reduce these concerns, they’re still at a higher risk than many other breeds.

Take them for annual vet check-ups so you are able to catch problems early while they’re still treatable. With that in mind, these are some common health conditions you should keep an eye out for.

Male vs. Female

In many ways, the male and female English Springer Spaniels are identical, but there are a few potential differences you should be aware of. First, males tend to be a little larger than females, typically reaching 50 pounds, while females weigh about 40 pounds.

Moreover, males tend to have a little goofier personality and are a little more laid-back, while females tend to be a little more particular. Of course, each pooch will have their own personality, so nothing guarantees that you won’t have a laid-back female or a serious male.

3 Little-Known Facts About the English Springer Spaniel

1. Springer and Cocker Spaniels Were Once the Same Breed

Today, these two dogs are completely separate breeds, but previously, smaller Spaniels were Cocker Spaniels, while larger dogs from the same litter were Springer Spaniels. But with distinct breeding standards today, they’ve developed into different breeds.

2. Both George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush Had English Springer Spaniels

Plenty of famous people have owned this breed, but perhaps none is more prominent than these two former presidents. George W. Bush owned a dog named Spot, while George H.W. Bush owned a dog named Millie.

3. They Get Their Name From Their Hunting Style

In the field, Springer Spaniels flush and spring their game from their hiding spots, and it’s this springing action that earned the English Springer Spaniel their name.

Final Thoughts

With so many lovable traits, it’s no wonder the English Springer Spaniel is the second most popular Spaniel breed in the US. They’re amazing hunting dogs and even better house pups, and all they want is all the attention you’re willing to give them!

Whether they’re going to be your first dog or just another addition to the family, they’re well worth checking out, and we’re sure once you meet one for yourself, you’re going to fall head over heels in love.

Featured Image Credit: onthegoTam, Pixabay