English Springer Spaniel

People usually start looking up the English Springer Spaniel when they’re weighing up a new dog for family life, or trying to understand why their Springer seems to run on fresh air and curiosity. The practical questions come quickly: how much daily exercise is “enough”, what grooming actually looks like, and which health checks matter before you commit.

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium gundog bred to work close to people for long hours, moving through scrub and wet grass, nose down, tail level and busy. That heritage still shows in modern pets: they tend to thrive with steady training, plenty of movement, and a household that enjoys being outdoors.^{1, 2}

English Springer Spaniel snapshot

• Breed type: Gundog (spaniel)
• Country of origin: United Kingdom (despite the name, not Spain)¹
• Size: Medium^{1, 3}
• Typical height: around 51 cm at the withers (breed standard; individuals vary)¹
• Typical weight: commonly around 18–23 kg (healthy range varies with build and conditioning)⁴
• Lifespan: often 10+ years (many live into the low teens with good care)^{2, 3}

History and origin

The English Springer Spaniel developed over centuries as a versatile land spaniel, used to “spring” game from cover for hunters—first for nets, later for guns. By the late 1800s, spaniel types were being separated by size and purpose, and the English Springer Spaniel was recognised as a distinct breed in the early 1900s.^{2, 3}

In Australia, you’ll see Springers in the field, in obedience and agility rings, and sprawled on verandahs after a long walk—still very much a working dog at heart, even when the “work” is family life.²

Physical characteristics and appearance

Springers are built for endurance rather than bulk: athletic shoulders, a deep chest, and a stride that’s meant to eat up ground without fuss. The coat is close and weather-resistant with moderate feathering on ears, legs and body—practical insulation for wet paddocks and bracken, but it does collect burrs and grass seeds if you don’t keep an eye on it.¹

Common colours include liver and white, black and white, and either with tan markings. Ears are long and hanging, which is part of the look—and part of the care, because reduced airflow can make ears more vulnerable to irritation and infection.^{1, 4}

Temperament and personality

The classic English Springer Spaniel temperament is “merry” and people-focused: alert, sociable, and keen to join whatever is happening. Many are gentle with children when appropriately supervised, and they often do well with other dogs, especially when they’ve been thoughtfully socialised from puppyhood.³

They’re also busy-minded. A Springer left under-stimulated may invent their own activities—digging, chewing, counter-surfing, or pacing the fence line—less out of malice and more because the breed was shaped for sustained, purposeful movement and problem-solving.^{2, 3}

Exercise and mental stimulation

These dogs are not “one short walk and done”. Many adult Springers need more than two hours of activity each day, especially if they’re from working lines. Think of exercise as a mix: steady movement, bursts of speed, and time to sniff and search.²

Good daily outlets often include:

• long walks with time to explore safely (on lead or in secure areas)
• retrieve games (kept structured, so it doesn’t become frantic)
• scent work and food puzzles
• training sessions broken into short, clear blocks

Puppies need careful, age-appropriate exercise to protect developing joints. Your vet can help you match activity to growth stage, body condition, and any early signs of orthopaedic issues.⁶

Training approach

Springers are typically highly trainable, with a quick eye for patterns and routines. They respond best to reward-based training—clear markers, consistent cues, and reinforcement for the behaviour you want repeated. Harsh or aversive techniques can increase stress and risk fallout behaviours, which is why veterinary behaviour experts recommend reward-based methods for training and behaviour modification.⁵

Early priorities that pay off for life:

• recall (especially around birds, smells, and moving distractions)
• loose-lead walking
• settling calmly indoors
• gentle handling practice for ears, feet, nails and grooming

Grooming and everyday care

A Springer’s coat is manageable, but it’s not maintenance-free. Weekly brushing (more during shedding seasons) helps prevent mats in the feathering and makes it easier to spot grass seeds, ticks, and small skin problems early.^{3, 4}

Care routines most owners end up doing year-round:

• Brush and comb: focus on ears, chest, belly, backs of legs, and tail feathering
• Ear checks: look for redness, odour, discharge, or frequent head-shaking (ask your vet about safe cleaning)
• Nails: regular trims to keep feet comfortable and movement efficient
• Coat tidying: occasional trimming around feet and feathering; some use a professional groomer

Health concerns to know about

No breed is “problem-free”. With English Springer Spaniels, it’s sensible to be aware of:

• Hip dysplasia (and other joint issues), which can contribute to pain and arthritis over time⁶
• Ear disease (otitis), which can be more common in dogs with long, hanging ears⁴
• Inherited eye conditions, which is why reputable breeders screen and provide health documentation³

If you’re buying a puppy, ask the breeder what health testing they do, and request evidence (not just verbal reassurance). If you’re adopting, talk to your vet early about a baseline exam, weight management, and a plan for exercise that supports joints rather than punishing them.

English Springer Spaniels as working dogs

In the field, the Springer’s job is close-range hunting: quartering through cover to flush birds into flight, then retrieving when trained for it. That working pattern—move, search, return, repeat—translates neatly into modern enrichment: scent games, retrieving, and structured off-lead time in safe areas tend to suit them well.^{2, 3}

They can be alert watchdogs in the sense that they notice movement and sound, but they are not typically bred for guarding. Most are more likely to announce something and then look to you for what happens next.²

Choosing and adopting: what to check first

Before you bring a Springer home, it helps to be honest about daily rhythm. This breed generally suits people who like routine walks, training, and a dog that wants to be involved.

• Time: plan for meaningful activity every day, not just weekends²
• Noise and excitement: many Springers are naturally enthusiastic; calm behaviour needs to be taught early
• Grooming tolerance: expect regular brushing and ear care^{3, 4}
• Training style: choose reward-based methods and, if needed, a qualified trainer who works the same way⁵

If you’re comparing breeds, also consider whether you want a dog bred from working lines or show lines. Either can make a good pet, but energy levels and intensity can differ, and you’ll feel that difference on a wet Tuesday when the dog still wants to run.

Final thoughts

The English Springer Spaniel is best understood as a steady, athletic animal designed for long days with humans. Give them movement, scent work, and calm, consistent training, and they tend to settle into family life with an easy, bright presence. Short-change the basics, and they’ll keep searching for something to do—because that’s what they were made for.^{2, 3}

References

1. Dogs Australia (ANKC) – English Springer Spaniel breed standard
2. The Kennel Club (UK) – English Springer Spaniel (breed information)
3. American Kennel Club (AKC) – Is the English Springer Spaniel the right fit for you?
4. PDSA – English Springer Spaniel (breed information and common health issues)
5. American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) – Position statements (including Humane Dog Training)
6. RSPCA Australia – What is hip dysplasia?