You are yearning for these dogs with their long floppy ears and eyes that look through your soul and know how to make your heart melt. Unfortunately, adopting a dog is the same as buying a car, and you must consider all information before adopting an English Springer Spaniel.
To adopt an English Springer Spaniel, you must be willing to meet their exercise and grooming needs. They are lovable dogs and want people and other pets around them to meet their socialization needs. They do not like being alone and might start acting up if left unattended.
Before adopting an English Springer Spaniel, the responsible thing is to investigate what this breed wants and needs and if you can provide them with the necessary attention to ensure they are happy with you.
The English Springer Spaniel Dog
The history of the English Springer Spaniel is quite interesting. The name comes from the reason the English bred them in the first place – springing game and wild into open spaces for the huntsmen to shoot them.
As time passed, English Springer Spaniels were used in the field or as show dogs. Today, you will see two English Springer Spaniels standing beside each other and looking different. Because of the division, each adapted to the environment they lived in and the reason for their being.
The reason is that the field Spaniel had a shorter coat than the show Spaniel with a longer coat. The Field Spaniels also tend to weigh less because they are more fit and active all day.
An English Springer Spaniel classifies as a medium-sized dog with a height between 18 and 21 inches. They can weigh from 40 to 55 pounds, whereas the field Springer Spaniels will weigh on the lower spectrum.
They come in a series of colors, double-colored and some tricolored. The tricolors include blue (which is a faded black) and roan (brown with white hairs in-between) and sometimes forming dots with brown or black-haired dots on white. White is always in the mix, with black or liver (deep red-brown color).
The English Springer Spaniel’s Grooming Guide
They have beautiful coats that shine and look healthy when you look after them. The show line English Springer Spaniels have longer coats than the field line, but both need equal attention.
They have hair flairs under their belly, by their ears, tail, feet, and under their muzzle that need trimming every two to three months. They have a medium coat shed throughout the year, and experts recommend you brush them three times a week to rid them of the most unwanted hair.
Because of their long floppy ears, you must clean the inside regularly to prevent infections. Use a slightly soaked cotton ball and wipe only the part of the ear you can see.
You will have to trim their nails to keep them from hurting you or a family member. When they walk, and you hear the nails before you see the dog, you know it is time for a trim.
Brushing their teeth is also part of the grooming requirements. Minimum three days a week to keep their gums healthy, reduce plaque build-up, and maintain overall mouth hygiene.
The English Springer Spaniel’s Activity Guide
The activities these dogs require are particular. They need to eliminate the abundance of energy to ensure they stay their lovable self. To keep them physically and mentally challenged is one of the top things you must invest in when adopting an English Springer Spaniel.
| Age | Activity | Duration |
| From 8 weeks to 4 months | Fetch ball, puppy kindergarten classes | 20 minutes a day |
| Four months to 6 months | Training sessions and half-mile walks | 30 minutes per day |
| Six months to 12 months | Games in the yard – ball, Frisbee, and half-mile walks | 40 minutes per day |
| 12 months and older | Play games, and they can start to jog with you – max a mile Give them breaks and increase the distance as it fits your puppy | 40 to 60 minutes per day |
The English Springer Spaniel’s Medical Guide
As with any breed, the English Springer Spaniel also has certain sicknesses they are prone to and which you will need to look out for if you want to keep your puppy healthy. Some of the illnesses that are more common with English Springer Spaniels:
- Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency can be present. The dogs need this enzyme to break down sugar and convert it into energy. PFK deficiency is visible in the English Springer Spaniels as fever, muscle wasting, and hyperventilation. The vet can detect it with a blood test.
- Skin Disorders – can be inherited or an allergy. Itchiness, scaly skin, hair loss, greasiness on the coat, or pyoderma (an infection) are the symptoms that might relate to a skin disorder.
- Ear Infection – because of the long ears, infections can build up in the ear. Your vet will give you a solution to clean inside the ears. If you smell something funny or see discharge, contact your vet immediately.
- Entropion – A rare condition where the lower eyelid folds into the eye, irritating the eyeball. Your English Springer Spaniel will need surgery, which will correct it.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – A rare disease where the layers of the retina break down and cause blindness. English Springer Spaniels with this disease show signs of it between ages 2 and 6.
- Retinal Dysplasia – The retina of the dog doesn’t form correctly. It can be detected between 7 and 12 weeks as they are born with the malformation. It doesn’t influence the dog’s vision, but breeders shouldn’t breed with them.
- Hip Dysplasia – is mainly an inherited disease causing the tailbone to not fit into the hip joint as it should. It can also be caused by falling, jumping, or intense training/running. Some might not show any signs, and others might have a lame back leg or both. Hip dysplasia can also cause arthritis at a later stage of their lives.
The English Springer Spaniel’s Temperament
The English Springer Spaniel is an energetic, loveable, and social dog that doesn’t want to be alone and needs your stimulation. They get along with other pets and humans and are not guard dogs but companions.
Suppose they do not get the stimulation they need; they can turn aggressive, show separation anxiety, or become depressed. When English Springer Spaniels do not get enough attention, they will be vocal as means of boredom.
Conclusion
Adopting an English Springer Spaniel may be the best decision you will ever make. Make sure that if you adopt an English Springer Spaniel as a puppy, you try to train him or sign him up for professional classes to get the high prey drive under control. Putting in a little effort and a lot of love, you and your English Springer Spaniel, will have a great life.
