One of the most attractive features of English Springer Spaniels is their luscious locks. These dogs have gorgeous coats that feel lovely to pet. You may be wondering if English Springer Spaniels are considered longhaired or shorthaired.
English Springer Spaniels have neither long nor short coats. They have medium-length fur. Field-bred English Springer Spaniels have slightly shorter fur than show-bred dogs. Their hair is longest on their ears and around their chest and legs. English Springer Spaniels need regular grooming.
English Springer Spaniels’ fur keeps them warm in cold, wet conditions, and it is really thick, protecting them from sharp thorns as they bound through the field. This article explains why English Springer Spaniels have this type of fur and discusses how to maintain their fur and control shedding.
Is An English Springer Spaniel Long Or Short Haired?
The length of English Springer Spaniels’ fur varies on different parts of their body. They have longer fur on their ears, chest, and legs but shorter fur on their back.
This makes it difficult to tell whether they are longhaired or shorthaired dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club, English Springer Spaniels have medium-length fur.
You get two kinds of English Springer Spaniels, and the lengths of their coats are slightly different.
Show-bred English Springer Spaniels that are bred for their handsome looks have longer coats, while field-bred dogs that are bred for hunting have shorter, rougher coats.
What Kind Of Coat Does An English Springer Spaniel Have?
It is valuable to know what type of coat English Springer Spaniels have so that you can be prepared for how much they may shed and how much grooming they require.
English Springer Spaniels have thick double coats. Their undercoat is short, and it keeps them well-insulated when they are in and out of water. They have a long, wavy top coat that is thorn-proof.
Because English Springer Spaniels are hunting dogs, they have been bred to have this type of fur. It makes them better able to spend long days out in the field, running and swimming after game birds.
What Color Are English Springer Spaniels?
English Springer Spaniels come in a wide variety of colors, and they can have many types of coat markings.
The following are the most popular coat colors according to the breed standard:
- White with black markings
- Black with white markings
- White with liver (reddish-brown) markings
- Liver with white markings
- Black, white, and tan
- Liver, white, and tan
Their markings can be spotted, ticked, or roan. Spotted English Springer Spaniels have distinct patches of color, whereas ticked and roan dogs have flecks or mottles of color.
Do Springer Spaniels Shed A Lot?
Knowing how much shedding you can expect from a dog is essential. If you suffer from allergies, an English Springer Spaniel may not be the dog for you.
English Springer Spaniels are moderate year-round shedders. They tend to shed more severely in the spring and in fall as their coat changes during winter.
Regularly brushing their coat is the only way to control shedding. If you are concerned about all your furniture being covered in hair, you will need to brush your English Springer Spaniel at least two or three times a week.
How Much Grooming Does An English Springer Spaniel Need?
The amount of grooming that English Springer Spaniels need depends largely on whether you have a show-bred or a field-bred dog. Field-bred dogs require less frequent grooming than show-bred dogs because they have slightly shorter fur.
English Springer Spaniels with longer fur on their ears, legs, and chest are prone to mats and tangles if you do not brush them often. It would help to pull a comb and a slicker brush through their hair least once a week.
An often-overlooked aspect of grooming is trimming the nails. If you don’t trim an English Springer Spaniel’s nails regularly, they can become overgrown and painful for the dog as it walks or runs.
Dental care is another aspect of grooming that owners should not overlook. To keep your English Springer Spaniel’s teeth and gums healthy and their breath smelling fresh, you need to give them dental chews regularly.
The other option is to use a doggy toothbrush and toothpaste, but this is only practical if you start doing it when the dog is still young.
Do English Springer Spaniels Need To Be Clipped Or Shaved?
Regularly taking your English Springer Spaniel to a professional groomer is a good way to keep their coat looking neat.
English Springer Spaniels do not strictly need to be clipped, but they look best if you trim their fur occasionally, especially around their legs, tail, chest, and ears.
One thing you must never do is shave an English Springer Spaniel. These dogs rely on their double coat to regulate their body temperature, and shaving it short interferes with this.
How Often Do English Springer Spaniels Need A Bath?
It is not advisable to bathe English Springer Spaniels (or any dog) too often. Most professional dog trainers with show dogs only wash their dogs before shows and events.
Dogs’ skin is covered in natural oils that keep their coat healthy. Frequent bathing strips away these oils, and this leads to itchy, dry skin and other issues like hot spots.
You should only wash your English Springer Spaniel when they get very dirty. If they are covered in mud or have rolled in something stinky, go ahead and bath them.
Bathing an English Springer Spaniel once every four to six months is plenty!
Conclusion
English Springer Spaniels have medium-length double coats that are perfect for keeping them warm during long days out in the field. Regular grooming is recommended to manage the shedding and keep their fur in optimal condition.
Depending on the length of your dog’s fur and the season, brushing once to three times a week is adequate. Unless your English Springer Spaniel gets terribly dirty, they do not need regular baths. Having these dogs’ fur clipped and trimmed occasionally is optional, but you must never shave them.
