English Springer Spaniel puppies

About the English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel is the working flushing spaniel of the British shooting field, named for the way they spring game from cover. This is a compact, muscular gundog with a medium double coat, moderate feathering and a soft, trusting expression. Springers are friendly, quick to learn and biddable, but they are also relentlessly busy, and a Springer without work will find their own. Show and field lines differ noticeably, with field bred dogs carrying less coat and considerably more drive.

Plan on at least an hour of active exercise a day plus scent games or retrieving, and expect a dog that is happiest when they have a task. Weekly brushing keeps the coat clear of mats, with occasional tidying of the feet, ears and neck, and ears need regular checks. Rated three out of five with children, a Springer suits families who will supervise and socialise properly around a fast, bouncy dog. Most owners underestimate the drive and end up with a bored, frantic spaniel.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a English Springer Spaniel puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for under the hip and elbow scoring schemes
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), detectable by DNA test on both parents
• Other hereditary disorders that are usually not life threatening and can be managed, which the breed club health scheme lists in full

Your English Springer Spaniel puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a English Springer Spaniel.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 18.1 to 22.7 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 22.7 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

More on the English Springer Spaniel

Previous: English Shepherd · Next: English Toy Spaniel

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from English Springer Spaniel breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/english-springer-spaniel/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Thomas Hindsgaul, CC BY 2.5 dk, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.