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English Springer Spaniel

General
Other Names		Springer
Dog Group Kennel Club		Gundog
Breed Classification		The English Springer Spaniel is a gundog which is used for flushing, or springing game in the field. They are the ideal breed for the rough shooter as they will work all day, on land or in the water. These dogs are very popular within a family environment, a good all rounder. It is one of the most versatile of the sporting dogs.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50 per week
Feeding Requirements		The young dog is normally a very good eater and as such can be prone to obesity during the formative months. Owners should be very aware of this and ensure that they stick to a strict dietary regime, and at the same time making sure that the dog is getting the proper nutrition that it needs.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		Whilst the purchase price of the working strain will be £300+, the show types will cost considerably more at £450+. As a breed the Springer is fairly inexpensive to keep, the only real outlay being for minimal grooming equipment, for example, a brush, comb and scissors in order to keep the ears well trimmed. The only other expense will be to kit yourself out for all the long daily walks over the fields and hills.
Average Puppy Price		£300-500
Lifespan		9 - 15 years The Springer commonly enjoys life well into the mid-teen years, staying active throughout.
Average Litter Size		5 The litter size ranges from 4 to 10, the normal being around 5 or 6 mark.
General Physical Description		The English Springer Spaniel is a compact, medium sized sporting dog with long ears. This dogs expression is alert, kindly and trusting, just think of the expression 'spaniel eyes'. When they look up at you with those deep brown or dark hazel eyes they could get away with anything. Springers are friendly dogs that are always eager to please. They are well proportioned dogs, nicely balanced, built to cover rough ground well and quickly.
Height Min Max Bitch 48cm (19") 50cm (20") Dog 49cm (19") 51cm (20") Weight Min Max Bitch 23kg (51lbs) 24kg (53lbs) Dog 24kg (53lbs) 25kg (55lbs)
Size Category		Medium
Weight Height Range		The shoulder height for dogs is between 49 - 51cms and bitches between 48 - 50cms. The weight for dogs is between 23 - 24kgs and bitches 24 - 25kgs.
Ailments		The ears and eyes of Springers need to be checked on a regular basis. Ear problems can largely be prevented by regular cleaning and grooming. The eyes of the parents should be screened to see if there is a problem and a certificate can be obtained if everything is alright, most responsible breeders will have this procedure carried out before they breed from their dogs.
Common Ailments		Ehlers-Danlos syndrome - fragile skin & poor wound healing. Myasthenia gravis - associated with muscle weakness.
Susceptibility To Illness		Low
Other
History		All spaniels can trace their origins back to the spaniels of Spain. Up until the 1600's all spaniels were considered as being of the same group of dogs, with various sized dogs in the same litter. The larger of these were the forefathers of today's English Springer Spaniel. In 1892 the Kennel Club of Great Britain recognised Cocker and Springer spaniels as separate breeds even though they sometimes appeared in the same litter. This was soon stopped by the two breed clubs and a standard conformation was made of each breed. The Kennel Club of Great Britain granted breed recognition in 1902; the American Kennel Club granted recognition in 1927. This breed is of the oldest sporting gundogs. Their original purpose was for finding and springing game for the net, falcon or greyhound. Nowadays they are used to find, flush and retrieve game for the gun.
Intelligence		The Springer is a hardy dog which is well-behaved and quick to learn and respond. They are easily controlled, not highly strung, aggressive or shy. Through training this is an ideal family pet, which does not do well in a kennel environment.
Show Characteristics		The head of the Springer should be impressive and balanced, the skull is of medium length and fairly broad. The eyes should be of medium size, set well apart and fairly deep in their sockets, they should not have loose droopy lids or a prominent haw. When they are born their eyes do not have complete pigmentation, this may not develop until they are one year old. The mouth has a strong jaw with a perfect, regular complete scissor bite The body is neither too long or too short with a deep chest. The back is level and short with well developed thighs. The topline is never longer than the height and ideally should be equal. The Springers tail shows the temperament and conformation, with the carriage nearly horizontal, slightly elevated when the dog is excited. It is customarily docked. The adult Springer should never appear leggy, short necked, heavy or oval-sculled, steep-shouldered or splay-footed. With the coat, a rough, curly coat is unacceptable, it should have a clean, glossy appearance.
Country Of Origin		Great Britain
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		High
Overall Exercise		> 2 hours per day. These dogs love the outdoors, energetic enough to go on all day. A lot of exercise and learning is required to keep this dog content. They love to be kept involved in all family activities and as such are ideal for a growing family. They will settle happily after exercise.
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Medium
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		Low
Risk of Sheep Worrying		High
Tendency to Bark		Medium
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Medium
Compatibility With Other Animals		High
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		The typical Springer is an extrovert by nature, friendly, eager to please, quick to learn and willing to obey. Springers are known to continue to develop and mature until they are 2 years old. Aggression and dominance are not common in the breed but can be a problem if not handled carefully when young. As a rule they make good companions and family dogs, being well behaved and quick to learn and respond. Some of the less well-bred dogs of this breed can be stubborn or timid, some even resorting to nipping and growling. However this is the exception not the rule. The show strain of the ESS appear to be calmer and less active than the working strain.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		> Once a week
Trimming
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		The body coat of the Springer is flat or wavy and of medium length, it is also weather proof, water proof and thorn proof. The ears, chest, legs, tail and under carriage have moderate feathering. As a result of this feathering some amount of grooming is required. Some trimming will be necessary around the head, feet and ears. Extra grooming is required especially after a day out in the undergrowth as the coat can and will pick up all sorts of twigs and grass.
Colour		In colour the Springer can be black and white, liver and white, or either of these with tan markings - this is known as tricolour.
Shedding		Moderate
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

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