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English Springer Spaniel: Breed Profile, Temperament, Health, and Care Guide

An English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized Sporting Group breed developed in England to “spring,” or flush, game birds from dense cover for hunters, a job that shaped the breed’s energetic, eager, people-oriented temperament.

Separated from its smaller cousin the Cocker Spaniel by size in the early 20th century, the Springer has gone on to earn acclaim as both a working gun dog and a devoted family companion. This guide covers where the breed originated, its temperament, how big English Springer Spaniels get, how long they live, the health problems they are prone to, grooming, how much exercise they need, how easy they are to train, what to feed them, the pros and cons of owning one, and what else people ask.

What Is an English Springer Spaniel and Where Did the Breed Originate?

An English Springer Spaniel belongs to the American Kennel Club’s Sporting Group. The breed’s name comes from its historical job of “springing” game, flushing birds out of dense vegetation so a falcon, and later a hunter’s gun, could take them. In 1902 the Royal Kennel Club in the United Kingdom recognized the Springer as a separate breed from the Cocker Spaniel, based largely on size, with the AKC following in 1910. Today’s Springers are bred along two lines, a heavier show type and a leaner field type, though both are the same breed underneath.

The American Kennel Club defines the breed in its “Official Standard of the English Springer Spaniel”, approved August 8, 2023, which sets out the size, coat, and temperament an English Springer Spaniel should have. As of September 2026, the AKC ranks the English Springer Spaniel 28th of 210 breeds in popularity.

How Do Field and Show English Springer Spaniels Differ?

The split between the two lines is wide enough that the dogs barely look like one breed. Show Springers carry more bone, a heavier coat with long feathering, longer ears, and more white with bold patches of color. Field Springers are lighter, faster, shorter-coated, and often heavily ticked, bred for hunting drive rather than looks. These working dogs need more daily work and suit active hunting homes; show-line dogs are calmer on average, though still energetic.

What Is an English Springer Spaniel’s Temperament Like?

An English Springer Spaniel’s temperament is friendly, intelligent, and extroverted, with a genuine enthusiasm for spending time with people that shows up in everything from greeting visitors to working alongside a hunter. The standard describes the typical Springer as “friendly, eager to please, quick to learn and willing to obey.” Springers are diplomatic with strangers, good with children, and sociable with other pets, though that same social drive means the breed doesn’t do well left alone or under-stimulated for long stretches. They’re not known for excessive barking under normal conditions, but a Springer whose exercise or socialization needs aren’t being met can develop that habit.

Do English Springer Spaniels Get Along With Cats and Birds?

Most live happily with a cat they grow up with. Pet birds are another matter, because flushing birds is the job the breed was built for, and a Springer may chase or retrieve a loose bird. Chickens need secure fencing. Early, supervised introductions and a solid “leave it” cue help in mixed-pet homes.

How Big Do English Springer Spaniels Get?

English Springer Spaniels are a medium-sized, compact, well-proportioned breed with a moderately long, feathered coat and the pendulous ears typical of spaniels. The breed’s build reflects a balance of power, endurance, and agility rather than pure speed or bulk. Accepted colors are black or liver with white, mostly white with black or liver markings, blue or liver roan, and tricolor with tan markings.

What Is the Average English Springer Spaniel Height and Weight?

Measure	American Kennel Club figure
Height	20 inches (male), 19 inches (female)
Weight	50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
Life expectancy	12-14 years

Figures are from the American Kennel Club English Springer Spaniel breed profile, retrieved September 2026.

How Long Do English Springer Spaniels Live?

English Springer Spaniels live 12 to 14 years. The breed is considered healthy, and consistent veterinary care along with attention to the joint and ear issues covered below supports a full, active lifespan.

What Health Problems Are English Springer Spaniels Prone To?

English Springer Spaniels are documented as being at higher risk for the following conditions.

What Is Hip and Elbow Dysplasia in English Springer Spaniels?

Elbow and hip dysplasia are genetic conditions that develop during puppyhood when the joints don’t line up properly. Limping, stiffness after rest, and a shortened stride are the signs, and severe cases need surgery. OFA x-rays of both parents lower the risk, and a lean, fit adult puts less strain on its joints.

Why Do English Springer Spaniels Get Ear Infections?

Otitis externa, infection of the outer ear canal, is common because the breed’s big, floppy, hairy ears trap moisture and warmth. Head shaking, scratching, a dark waxy discharge, and a sour smell are the signs. Drying the ears after every swim and bath, trimming the hair under the ear flap, and cleaning weekly with a vet-approved solution keep most Springers clear.

What Eye Problems Affect English Springer Spaniels?

Progressive retinal atrophy is an inherited breakdown of the retina that causes night blindness first and then gradual loss of sight; a DNA test for the cord1 form found in Springers is available. Goniodysgenesis, a malformation of the eye’s drainage angle, raises the risk of glaucoma, a painful buildup of pressure that can cause permanent vision loss when not treated quickly. Retinal dysplasia also occurs. A yearly exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist is recommended for breeding dogs.

What Is Phosphofructokinase Deficiency in English Springer Spaniels?

Phosphofructokinase deficiency is an inherited enzyme disorder that leaves red blood cells fragile. After hard exercise, heavy panting, or excitement, affected dogs can develop anemia, weakness, a fever, and dark urine. Avoiding the triggers lets most affected dogs live normally. A DNA test identifies carriers, and fucosidosis, a rare inherited nerve disease found in some UK lines, also has a test.

Which Health Tests Should an English Springer Spaniel Breeder Provide?

Ask for OFA hip and elbow results, a current eye exam, and DNA results for PRA and phosphofructokinase deficiency on both parents. Breeders of field lines should provide the same health testing as show breeders; working ability and health screening are separate questions.

How Do You Groom an English Springer Spaniel?

English Springer Spaniels have a medium-length, weather-resistant coat with feathering on the legs, ears, chest, and body, and it needs brushing once or twice a week to prevent matting. The breed sheds at a moderate level, and regular trimming, either at home or by a professional groomer, keeps the feathering manageable. Because the ears are large and prone to trapping moisture, thorough drying after baths or swimming and regular ear checks are an essential part of the routine.

Grooming task	How often
Brush and comb the feathering	Once or twice a week
Check ears and remove burrs after walks	After every outing in cover
Trim feet, ears, and feathering	Every 6 to 8 weeks
Trim nails	Every 3 to 4 weeks
Bath	Every 1 to 2 months

How Much Exercise Does an English Springer Spaniel Need?

An English Springer Spaniel needs substantial daily exercise, at least an hour and more for many dogs in this high-energy breed. Springers do well with a mix of walks, off-leash play, and activities like retrieving games or field work that tap into their working heritage. A Springer that isn’t getting enough physical and mental engagement is more prone to restlessness or excessive barking out of boredom.

Which Activities Suit an English Springer Spaniel?

Hunting and hunt tests use the breed’s natural flushing and retrieving skills. Springers also do well in agility, obedience, rally, dock diving, and scent work, and the breed is widely used as a detection dog by police and customs services thanks to its nose and drive. Swimming is a favorite, but ears need drying afterward. Puppies should skip long runs and repeated jumps until their growth plates close at around a year.

Are English Springer Spaniels Easy to Train?

Yes, English Springer Spaniels are intelligent and easy to train, responding well to patient, gentle, treat-motivated training methods. Early training and socialization are beneficial for this breed, channeling its natural enthusiasm and assertiveness in productive directions rather than letting it become pushiness.

What Should English Springer Spaniel Training Focus On?

A reliable recall is the first priority for a dog bred to range after scent. Practice it with a long line and generous rewards before trusting the dog off leash. Polite greetings come next, since Springers greet with their whole body. Retrieving games give the dog a job and build focus, and short, varied sessions suit a breed that learns fast and bores quickly.

What Should You Feed an English Springer Spaniel?

English Springer Spaniels do well on a standard formula suited to their age and activity level, and given the breed’s high energy, active dogs need more calories than a less active dog of similar size. A veterinarian can help set an appropriate feeding plan based on an individual dog’s activity level and body condition.

How Many Meals a Day Does an English Springer Spaniel Need?

Puppies eat three meals a day until about six months, then two. Adults stay on two measured meals, with larger portions during a hunting season and smaller ones in the off-season. Springers love food, and show-line dogs in particular put on weight easily, so check the ribs and waist every few weeks and adjust.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning an English Springer Spaniel?

Here are the main advantages and drawbacks of owning an English Springer Spaniel, side by side.

Pros	Cons
Friendly, sociable temperament that’s good with children and other pets	Needs substantial daily exercise, often more than an hour
Highly trainable and eager to please	Moderate to high grooming needs to manage the feathered coat
Suited to both hunting work and family life	Prone to ear infections given the breed’s large, floppy ears
Diplomatic and welcoming toward strangers	Not well suited to owners who are away from home for long stretches

Anyone who likes the breed’s temperament and energy level but would rather not search for a breeder can contact English Springer Spaniel rescues, which place adult dogs regularly.

What Else Do People Ask About the English Springer Spaniel?

The questions below cover what it costs to buy an English Springer Spaniel, whether a family home is a good fit, how the Cocker Spaniel differs from the breed, and how much shedding comes with an English Springer Spaniel.

What does it cost to buy an English Springer Spaniel?

English Springer Spaniel prices vary by region, bloodline (show versus field type), and breeder reputation, and a puppy from a breeder who screens for hip, elbow, and eye conditions costs more than one that skips that testing. Adopting an adult Springer through a rescue is less expensive.

Is a family home a good fit for an English Springer Spaniel?

Yes, English Springer Spaniels are widely considered excellent family dogs, thanks to a friendly, patient temperament that does well with children of different ages. Their high exercise needs mean families should have a realistic plan for daily activity before bringing one home.

How does the Cocker Spaniel differ from the English Springer Spaniel?

English Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels share a common spaniel ancestry and a similarly friendly, people-focused temperament, but they differ mainly in size. Springers are noticeably larger, standing around 19 to 20 inches compared to the Cocker’s 13.5 to 15.5 inches, and historically the two breeds were separated by a 25-pound weight threshold.

How much shedding comes with an English Springer Spaniel?

Shedding is moderate and year-round, and while Springers aren’t heavy shedders compared to some breeds, the coat’s feathering makes loose hair more visible. Regular brushing, once or twice a week, keeps shedding manageable.

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