The English Springer Spaniel, named for how he “springs” at the game to flush it for the hunter, is an affectionate breed ideal for families that offer plenty of attention. However, existing pet owners considering inviting a Springer into their home should consider how this breed cohabitates with other dogs.
While English Springer Spaniels are likely to coexist happily with most dog breeds, choosing a dog of similar size and playfulness is preferable. Furthermore, keeping dogs of the opposite gender and different ages aids in avoiding aggression between your pets.
With their luscious coats and friendly expressions, it isn’t easy to find reasons not to love English Springer Spaniels. However, this breed has its own requirements that you must consider before inviting a Springer into your home.
Are English Springer Spaniels Good With Other Dogs?
Since springers may be highly lively and get along well with most dogs, it is a good idea to pick a dog of comparable size so that they won’t damage each other when playing. A breed with the same activity level and temperament would be wise.
Naturally, a second Springer or any other spaniel is a wise decision. Have a male and a female, preferably. However, two females will get along if introduced as young puppies. While an older female and a puppy female will get along, introducing two mature females is not ideal. Unless you have a lot of expertise managing dogs, only ever have one male.
However, there are cons to getting two Springer pups. They risk developing a problematic dynamic, which may include one being more assertive and the other more submissive. This choice could result in the more submissive dog’s failure to develop its full potential. Furthermore, two puppies are more likely to fight with each other, be more boisterous, and exhibit destructive behavior.
As for other breeds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Pointers, Greyhounds, Boxers, Setters, and herding dogs like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are all suitable options.
Are English Springer Spaniels Family Dogs?
For many years, the English Springer Spaniel has been a favorite of hunters because of the way he “springs” at the game to flush it for the hunter. However, this active, gorgeous dog can make a fantastic family friend if given adequate training and exercise.
English Springer Spaniels are lively, intelligent, and eager to please. They appear to have an excellent sense of humor and are happy dogs. If raised with kids from an early age, they often get along well with them and love their families. They also happily cohabitate with other pets in the house, even the little ones, although as they were designed for hunting birds, they could mistake them for prey.
If guests arrive at your home, English Springer Spaniels will bark, but if you’re looking for a guard dog, keep looking. They are kind, loving dogs who anticipate attention from even strangers. This breed is known to exhibit submissive urination, which is when they urinate in anticipation or fear. Making homecomings very relaxed and delaying attention or gazing at your dog until you’ve been inside for a few minutes is the best way to handle this.
English Springer Spaniels also make excellent therapy dogs, cheering up patients in clinics and nursing homes. However, they don’t make good one-person dogs since they are incredibly loving. They should not be left alone at home or for extended periods away from others since they are highly people-oriented.
Are English Springer Spaniels Active Dogs?
The English Springer Spaniel is a famous breed of dog created as a gun dog to flush, or spring, wildlife in the field. Therefore, they are fantastic friends when you go hiking or camping since they are athletic and adaptable. They engage in agility, hunt tests, tracking, obedience competitions, and more.
However, these puppies need room to roam because of their propensity for movement. English Springer Spaniels dislike being left alone; if they’re bored or lonely, they could start barking inconveniently. Furthermore, if you can’t give your dog enough exercise and attention, he could grow anxious and destructive.
Apartment owners should be warned that English Springer Spaniels are unlikely to get the exercise they need in smaller spaces. Therefore, raising these dogs in homes without gardens necessitates plenty of walks. Furthermore, this breed is vocal which makes quiet apartment living difficult. Although these dogs are bound to bring a smile to anyone’s face, their incessant barking is likely to make you unpopular amongst your neighbors.
Keep your English Springer Spaniel on a leash during walks since their hunting ancestry makes these dogs avid explorers. Therefore, letting your dog off their leash could trigger their taste for adventure and leave you running after them.
Do English Springer Spaniels Shed?
English Springers shed as all other dogs do. They shed dead hair all year round, not only in the spring and fall. Furthermore, springers have a double coat meaning they have a shorter, insulating undercoat and a long, wavy topcoat. However, regular brushing your English Springer will lessen the quantity of hair that lands on your carpets, furniture, and clothing after the dog.
To maintain them tidy and free of mats and tangles, English Springers require a certain amount of grooming and trimming. Learning how to manage your Springer’s grooming can be fun, or you can find a professional groomer to help. Regular grooming prevents coat loss and maintains the coat’s quality.
Whether you pick an English Springer field-bred or conformation-bred will affect how much grooming is needed for this breed. Any English Springer who goes out in the field will return with burrs and brush lodged in his coat since dogs from show lines have a more profuse coat that requires more cleaning and trimming to keep it looking lovely.
Basic care is all that is left. He brushes his teeth for general health and fresh breath and trims his nails as needed every few weeks. Also, utilize their grooming sessions to check for lumps and bumps and any ear problems to which Spaniels can be prone.
What Are The Cons Of Owning An English Springer Spaniel?
If you are unsure whether an English Springer Spaniel is the right fit for your home, several factors may help you decide.
For the most part, English Springer Spaniels have a friendly and affectionate temperament. However, this breed occasionally exhibits severe dominant aggressiveness known as “rage syndrome,” sometimes called “Springer Rage.” This behavioral condition is suspected to be a kind of epilepsy. With this disorder, English Springer Spaniels frequently attack their owners during moments of severe hostility.
Selecting a fully grown dog from an animal shelter or rescue organization can avoid adopting a pet with bad habits or undesirable personality traits. If you prefer to adopt a puppy, selecting the correct breeder and puppy will help you avoid certain unwelcome qualities. Unfortunately, until a puppy is an adult, it is difficult to determine whether his temperament or health issues are hereditary.
English Springer Spaniels need to be exposed to a wide variety of people, animals, and new sights and noises. There are too many English Springers that obedience trainers encounter that are wary, cautious, and occasionally even hostile. Sometimes a terrible temperament is inherited, and other times it results from inadequate socialization.
Conclusion
Even though most dog breeds get along well with English Springer Spaniels, it’s best to pick a lively, similar-sized dog instead. Springers are highly active dogs that love to play and require companionship. Therefore, choosing a furry friend with similar needs is the best way to ensure your Springer happily coexists with other pets. Also, keeping dogs of various ages and genders helps prevent conflict amongst your pets.
