Why choose an English Springer Spaniel?
The English Springer Spaniel has been in existence for over 200 years, and has been officially recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club since 1902. The breed got its name because the dogs were originally used to ‘spring’ game for the net or falcon. Today the Springer Spaniel is recognised for its abilities as a versatile all round gundog, and is known to make an affectionate family pet. Thanks to its fantastic ‘nose’ the Springer Spaniel is a popular ‘sniffer dog’ for both drugs and explosives. In Scotland, a number of Springer Spaniels are trained Search and Rescue dogs, working mainly with the mountain rescue services.
The ‘modern’ Springer falls into two distinct types – ‘show’ or ‘working’. The show type is usually slightly taller, with heavier bone, longer ears and feathering, and has a different shape to the dome of the head. The ‘working’ dog can be considerably smaller although there is more variation in size than its show counterpart. Colours for both types are liver and white; liver, white and tan; black and white; and black, white and tan.
Both show and working Springers can make lovely pets and loyal companions, have biddable temperaments and are strong, healthy dogs. They are all active dogs and need time dedicated to their upbringing, exercise, and training. In addition, working type Springers can require a significant amount of mental stimulation to satisfy their intrinsic drive to work, and can become destructive, and self destructive, if denied this.
Most Springer Spaniels are gentle, affectionate dogs, who are happy and confident around children. However children do need to be taught that dogs are not toys and shouldn’t be treated as such. This can be hard for very young children to understand. For this reason we suggest that you don’t get any dog until your children are older, unless you have lots of time and patience to spend with both children and dog!
Springer Spaniels also require grooming on a regular basis with special attention to their feet, and their feathering on legs, chest and underbelly. Their ears need to be kept well combed and clean as they can be susceptible to infection. Springer Rescue for Scotland has a Grooming Information leaflet which will give you more detail.
If you are thinking of re-homing a Springer Spaniel you will need to think about what is the right type of dog for you. Have you the enthusiasm and energy to provide a stimulating life for a working dog? Would a puppy fit into your life, or an adult? What about the special joys of giving a home to an older dog?
The decision about the right dog to adopt is an important one. Never rush into it Your dog will need love and attention from the day you bring him home until the end of his life. We would be very happy to discuss these issues with you, even if you are not yet sure about adopting a Springer Spaniel. Please do get in touch on 07875 140485 or .
