English Springer Spaniel
A merry engine of a gundog — sprung tail, busy nose, heart entirely yours.
Vital stats
| Size | Medium · 46–56 cm |
| Weight | 18–25 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 years |
| Energy | High — 90+ min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, year-round |
| Coat | Medium, feathered · liver & white, black & white |
| Group | Sporting · FCI №125 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred to quarter cover tirelessly and flush — 'spring' — game for the gun, the Springer brings that busy optimism into everyday life. It learns fast, forgives faster, and wants nothing more than to be doing something with you. Under-occupied, all that drive reroutes into digging, barking and freelance laundry retrieval.
Habits & quirks
The full-body wag
The docked-or-not tail is only the start; a happy Springer wags from the shoulders back.
Cover diver
No bush, ditch or bramble patch goes uninspected — mud is considered a bonus.
Velcro spaniel
It will follow you to the kitchen, the garden and, given the chance, the bathroom.
The gift economy
Slippers, socks, cushions: expect to be greeted with something, anything, in its mouth.
Care
| Exercise | Ninety minutes or more daily, mixing running with nose work — scent games tire a Springer faster than miles do. |
| Grooming | Brush the feathering weekly and trim around feet and ears; field lines carry less coat than show lines. |
| Health | Check those long ears weekly — the warm, floppy design is a standing invitation to infection. |
| Training | A dream student that thrives on gundog-style work; channel the flushing instinct early or it will self-employ. |
Common questions
Are Springer Spaniels good family dogs?
Excellent ones — affectionate, playful and patient with children. They repay active households richly but struggle in homes where exercise is an afterthought.
What's the difference between show and working Springers?
Working (field) lines are lighter, less feathered and markedly more driven; show lines are calmer and heavier-coated. For a family pet, the distinction matters more than the breed name.
Can Springer Spaniels be left alone?
Briefly, once trained — but this is a people-centred breed that can develop separation anxiety if routinely left for long days. Build alone-time up gradually.