English Springer Spaniel

Temperament & personality

Springers are the definition of a merry dog. They are warm, sociable and clever, eager to please in a way that makes them highly trainable, and they form intense bonds with their people. That devotion has a flip side: Springers hate being left alone and can develop separation anxiety if isolated for long stretches. They want to be part of whatever is happening.

This is a high-energy working breed, not a companion breed that happens to like walks. A Springer needs real exercise every day, ideally a mix of running off lead, retrieving games and nose work that taps into the hunting drive. Under-exercised Springers become restless, mouthy and destructive, and a lot of the behavior problems blamed on the breed trace straight back to boredom.

They are generally good with children and other dogs, though their bounciness can overwhelm toddlers, which is why they tend to suit families with older kids. Their soft mouths and love of carrying things mean you will often be greeted with a shoe, a sock or a favorite toy.

Because of the exercise and stimulation they demand, Springers are not the easiest first dog. They reward an active, engaged owner and frustrate a sedentary one. Two lines exist, working (field) and show (bench), with the working type being noticeably more driven.

Vaccination schedule

English Springer Spaniel puppies follow the standard UK vaccination course. The core DHPP vaccine covers distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), parvovirus and parainfluenza, starting at 6 to 8 weeks with a second dose at 10 to 12 weeks, and frequently a third at 14 to 16 weeks depending on the vaccine used.

Rabies is not required in the UK but is compulsory for foreign travel under the Animal Health Certificate. It can be given from 12 weeks, with a 21-day wait afterwards before travelling.

Leptospirosis is strongly recommended for a Springer, since these dogs work wet ground, ditches and standing water where the bacteria thrive. It is usually part of the puppy course and boosted annually. Kennel cough vaccination is often advised before boarding, group classes or field training days where dogs mix.

After the puppy series, your vet will set the booster schedule, generally core vaccines every three years and leptospirosis every year. Note the actual dates given so future boosters are timed to your dog rather than a generic template.

Best food & diet

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium breed, typically 18 to 25kg, and an active one, so feed a complete diet matched to its workload and life stage. A working Springer covering miles a day burns considerably more than a pet Springer walked in the park, and the food and portions should reflect that difference.

Divide the daily amount into two meals and keep fresh water available, particularly after hard exercise.

Weight control matters more than owners expect. Springers are enthusiastic eaters and will happily hoover up whatever is offered, so treats used in training must be counted into the daily total. Excess weight strains the hips and reduces the stamina a working dog needs. Check the ribs weekly and adjust portions rather than free-feeding.

A diet with good levels of omega-3 fatty acids supports the coat and skin and helps keep the feathering in condition. If the coat looks poor or the skin flakes, speak to your vet before changing food.

Common health problems

Ear infections are the single most common problem in the breed. The long, heavy, pendulous ears trap moisture and warmth and keep air out, which is exactly what bacteria and yeast like. Springers that swim or work wet cover are especially prone. Recurrent ear infections are common enough that ear care becomes a routine chore rather than an occasional one, covered in more detail below.

Like many active breeds, Springers may develop hip dysplasia, which shows as stiffness or reduced willingness to exercise; good breeders hip-score their dogs and keeping yours lean protects the joints. Eye conditions worth flagging to your vet include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an inherited cause of gradual blindness, as well as eyelid problems such as entropion, where the lid rolls inward and the lashes irritate the eye.

Two breed-specific issues are worth knowing. Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency is an inherited enzyme disorder worth knowing about, as it can cause exercise intolerance and episodes of dark urine; a DNA test identifies carriers and affected dogs, so responsible breeders screen for it. Rage syndrome, a sudden unprovoked aggression, is worth being aware of; it has been reported occasionally and is uncommon, and any episode of unexplained aggression warrants prompt veterinary and behavioral assessment.

Choosing a breeder who hip-scores, eye-tests and DNA-tests for PFK deficiency stacks the odds in your favor. Keep records of ear episodes and any behavioral concerns so trends are easy to see.

Allergies & skin

Some Springers develop atopic dermatitis, an allergic response to environmental triggers like pollen, grass and dust mites. Because they push through undergrowth and swim, their skin also meets a lot of physical irritants. Typical signs are paw licking, face rubbing, and repeated ear or skin infections that never quite clear.

The ears deserve special attention here, because ear disease in this breed often has an allergic root. A Springer with recurring ear infections may actually have an underlying skin allergy driving them, and treating the ear alone will not fix the pattern. If infections keep coming back, ask your vet to look at the bigger allergic picture.

Food allergies are less common but do occur, usually combining itch with digestive upset. A properly conducted diet trial, guided by your vet, is the way to confirm or rule them out rather than switching foods on a hunch.

Keep fleas under control, since flea allergy is a frequent itch trigger. Dry the coat and ears thoroughly after swimming. Photograph any skin lesion so you can judge whether it is improving. The feathering can hide irritation, so part it and look at the skin when you groom.

Flea, tick & worm prevention

A dog that works fields, hedgerows and woodland picks up parasites readily, so year-round flea and tick prevention is essential for a Springer. Use a vet-recommended spot-on, tablet or collar with reliable tick cover, and check the coat thoroughly after every outing, concentrating on the ears, the feathering, the armpits and between the toes where ticks like to attach.

Worming should cover roundworm, tapeworm and lungworm. Lungworm is spreading across the UK and comes from eating slugs and snails, which a Springer nosing through wet grass can easily do. The usual interval is every three months, adjusted by your vet to match how much your dog works and roams.

After swimming or working wet ground, dry the ears and coat well, since damp fur is friendlier to parasites and the trapped moisture also feeds ear infections. A tick that latches on during a morning in the fields is best found and removed the same day.

Keep every treatment date logged so nothing lapses. Consistency is what keeps fleas, ticks and worms from getting established in the first place.

Medications & dosing

Medication for a Springer should always be weight-based and vet-directed. At 18 to 25kg there is a wide spread within the breed, and a working dog may sit at a very different weight from a heavier show-type, so dosing by an accurate current weight matters rather than assuming a typical figure.

The one breed-specific caution is phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency. Affected dogs have an enzyme problem that affects how their red blood cells and muscles handle energy, and sharing your dog's PFK DNA status with your vet lets them plan care and monitoring appropriately. If your dog is affected or a carrier, make sure it is on the veterinary record.

Never give human painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, which are toxic to dogs, and do not reuse old prescriptions without veterinary approval. Because Springers are food-driven, take care that medicated treats and chews are stored out of reach so a dog cannot help itself to a double dose.

Weigh your dog regularly, especially if its workload changes with the seasons, and keep a record of what has been given and when. Accurate weight plus a clear medication history keeps dosing safe.

Grooming & coat care

The Springer's coat is medium length with distinctive feathering on the ears, chest, legs and belly, and it needs consistent work. Brush two or three times a week to prevent the feathering from matting, paying particular attention to the friction points behind the ears, under the legs and around the rear. Working Springers are often kept in a shorter, tidier trim, while show dogs carry more coat.

Regular trimming is part of the routine. The feathering and the hair between the pads and around the feet benefit from tidying every few weeks, and many owners book a professional groomer every couple of months for a full trim. Shedding is moderate, heavier during seasonal molts, and steady brushing keeps loose hair in check.

Ear care is the single most important grooming task for this breed. Those long ears need checking and gentle cleaning regularly, more often for a dog that swims. Look for redness, a bad smell, head shaking or scratching, and clean with a vet-approved product rather than poking anything deep into the canal. Dry the ears thoroughly after every swim or wet walk. Staying ahead of this is what keeps recurrent infections at bay.

Finish with the usual basics: nails every few weeks, teeth brushed regularly, and a skin check while you groom. For a Springer, grooming and health care overlap heavily, since the same session that tidies the coat is your chance to catch an ear problem or skin issue early.

How the English Springer Spaniel compares

Deciding between similar breeds? Here is the English Springer Spaniel next to Harrier and Border Collie.

Frequently asked questions