SportingEngland

English Springer Spaniel

Eager to please, until something smells interesting.

Weight: 40–50 lbs
Height: 19–20 in
Lifespan: 12–14 yrs

In short

The English Springer Spaniel is a Sporting breed from England, bred to flush or “spring” game birds for hunters; adults weigh about 40–50 lbs and live 12–14 years. Field and show lines differ a lot in drive, and both need daily running and a job to stay settled.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want an upbeat partner for trails and water
would enjoy hunt tests or retrieving games
want a friendly, kid-tolerant family dog

Think twice if you…

can't give 90 minutes of exercise a day
dislike mud, swims and ear cleaning
are away for long stretches

The daily plan

Exercise: 90–120 min
Training: 3–5 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 100–120 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study8.5/10

EnergyAthlete8.5/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors9.5/10

SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Field vs. show lines
Field-bred Springers are lighter with shorter coats and far higher drive; ask which line you are getting.
02
Long, feathered ears
Pendulous ears trap moisture and debris, so check them after every swim or field walk.
03
Quartering nose
Bred to sweep back and forth ahead of the hunter, they follow scent with total focus.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	45–55 lbs	35–45 lbs
Height	19–21 in	18–20 in
Lifespan	12–14 yrs
Coat	Medium-length double coat with feathering on ears, chest, legs and belly

Side profile 19–20 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Springers are cheerful, eager and busy, always ready to go. Indoors they are affectionate and often clingy. Without enough work, they get loud, mouthy and creative.

With kids

Great with kids, especially active ones, though young dogs can be bouncy for toddlers.

With other pets

Usually friendly with dogs and fine with cats raised alongside. Pet birds and small animals may trigger hunting instincts.

With strangers

Friendly and outgoing with most people.

Alone time

Prefer company and can develop separation stress. Exercise before absences helps a lot.

Training

Springers are biddable and quick, bred to work closely with a handler. They thrive on retrieves, scent games and food rewards.

How often

3–5 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending each one on a win.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, focus on gentle handling of ears and feet, calm greetings and water introduction. Keep experiences positive with this sensitive breed.
Self-control

Recall away from birds and a steady “sit” before retrieves matter most. Practice on a long line and only throw the toy after a calm sit.
What it works for

Retrieves and food are both strong rewards. Use small, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories, freeze-dried liver being one option, and use a thrown bumper as a jackpot.

Exercise

Springers need off-leash style running, retrieving and swimming, not just leash walks. Scent work satisfies the hunting brain.

Exercise a day 90–120 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Retrieving bumpers on land or water
Swimming
Hiking or running on trails

Brain work

Hunt-and-find games in tall grass
Nose work
Field or hunt tests

Best home

House with a yard and access to open space; apartments only with serious daily exercise.

Watch for Field-line Springers can work through exhaustion and heat, so set the limits for them and check for foxtails in ears and paws after field work.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical English Springer Spaniel (40–50 lbs) lands around 975–1,175 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,225–1,450 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 125–145 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–7 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 975–1,175 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 100–120 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 5–6 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 1,350–1,600 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 135–160 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 7–8 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 850–1,025 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 85–105 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 4–5 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,225–1,450 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	125–145 kcal	6–7 pieces
Adult Maintenance	975–1,175 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	100–120 kcal	5–6 pieces
Active / Working	1,350–1,600 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	135–160 kcal	7–8 pieces
Senior	850–1,025 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	85–105 kcal	4–5 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Hip and elbow dysplasia, PRA, ear infections and PFK deficiency are the main concerns. Ear care and a breeder who screens help most.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Elbow dysplasia	OFA elbow evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs
Progressive retinal atrophy	PRA-cord1 DNA test plus eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	DNA once; eye exam yearly in breeding dogs
Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency	PFK DNA test	Once, in breeding dogs

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks English Springer Spaniel breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Elbow evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Crd4/cord1 PRA DNA test
DNA sample banked with CHIC

Also recommended

Fucosidosis
PFK deficiency DNA test
Degenerative Myelopathy
Thyroid panel
Heart exam

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate year-round, more in spring and fall

Brush 2–3 times a week and trim feathering, feet and ears every 6–8 weeks, by you or a groomer. Clean ears weekly and after swims, trim nails every 2–3 weeks and brush teeth several times a week.

History

1500s–1700s

Land spaniels

Spaniels were used in England to spring game into nets or toward falcons, long before guns.
Early 1900s

Split from Cockers

Springers and Cockers once came from the same litters and were sorted by size; the Kennel Club recognized the Springer in 1902.
1910 onward

America and two lines

The AKC recognized the breed in 1910, and field and show lines have since grown apart in looks and drive.

Questions owners ask

Are English Springer Spaniels easy to train?

Yes. Springers are eager and responsive, especially with food and retrieving games. Their energy means training needs to happen daily.

Are English Springer Spaniels good with kids and other pets?

Usually yes. They are friendly with kids and other dogs, and fine with cats raised alongside. Small pets may trigger hunting instincts.

How much exercise does an English Springer Spaniel need?

Plan on 90–120 minutes a day, including running, retrieving or swimming. Field-line dogs need the upper end.

Do English Springer Spaniels shed?

Yes, moderately. Brush 2–3 times a week and trim the feathering every 6–8 weeks, and keep ears clean.

What health problems do English Springer Spaniels have, and how long do they live?

Hip and elbow dysplasia, PRA, ear infections and PFK deficiency are the main concerns. Springers typically live 12–14 years.

Is an English Springer Spaniel good for apartments or first-time owners?

First-time owners can do well if they are active, but apartments are tough. A yard and access to open space suit them best.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a English Springer Spaniel needs only 5–6 pieces a day, well inside the 100–120 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the English Springer Spaniel ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.