The English Springer Spaniel is a gun dog that was originally used for flushing and retrieving wild game. Today, the difference between the working English Springer Spaniels and the show dog is very large and it can be hard to realise that they are actually considered to be the same breed. This situation has been a fact for at least 70 years. The field dog would score very low in a dog show, while the show dog would perform poorly out in the field. Before you get an English Springer Spaniel you should therefore ask yourself which variant you prefer and which variant that would prefer your home and your lifestyle.

English Springer Spaniel dog care

Regularly checking the ears of your spaniel is an essential part of proper English Springer Spaniel care, because some specimens are highly prone to ear infections. If your dog has suffered from several ear infections, you should discuss the problem with a qualified vet. You spaniel might need to have its ear canals cleaned weekly with a special solution that will make the ear acidic. An acidic environment is known to be inhospitable for yeast and many types of bacteria. You can carry out this type of English Springer Spaniel dog care yourself in your home; it is not difficult at all. Keeping the hair around the ears trimmed is also recommended if you have a sensitive spaniel.

English Springer Spaniel dog puppy

The English Springer Spaniel dog puppy is a charming fellow, but before you decide to get one you should ask yourself if you are willing and able to care for this dog for the next 10-15 years. You should also determine if the English Springer Spaniel is the ideal breed for you and if you want the show dog variety or the working dog variety. Getting an English Springer Spaniel puppy is a good idea if you want an easy-going family dog that should not be used for guarding. The working variety is naturally also an ideal hunting companion. The energy level of both varieties is moderate to high, and getting a English Springer Spaniel puppy is therefore only a wise decision if your activity level is moderate to high as well. This breed needs ample amounts of both mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy and happy.

English Springer Spaniel dog training

The English Springer Spaniel was bred to be un upland flushing dog and standard English Springer Spaniel dog training will therefore involve tasks that are important during hunting. Examples of such tasks are retrieving to hand, scenting, flushing, hup and steady. The English Springer Spaniel is also trained to follow hand signals and deliver game with a soft mouth (i.e. to avoid puncturing it with its teeth). Another important part of formal English Springer Spaniel training is “quarter” where the English Springer Spaniel is thought to work in a zig-zag pattern and stay within gun range.

English Springer Spaniel dog breeding

English Springer Spaniel dog breeding has taken place for at least four centuries and you can see the breed in paintings from the 17th century. Is might even be the ancestor of several other spaniels, such as the Cocker Spaniel. Early English Springer Spaniel breeding aimed to create a dog that could work together with a trained falcon or hawk. The dog would flush the gamebird into the air where the bird of prey could catch the bird and bring it to the hunter. When more and more hunters began to use shotguns instead of hawks and falcons, the English Springer Spaniel started to retrieve as well. Throughout the centuries, dedicated English Springer Spaniel breeding managed to create a highly versatile breed that is adept at traditional upland game as well as highly capable when it comes to hunting waterfowl and small game, e.g. rabbits.

English Springer Spaniel dog breeders

As in most pure breeds, a serious of health problems is linked to the English Springer Spaniel and it is therefore important to purchase dogs from reputable English Springer Spaniel dog breeders only; breeders that strive to minimize the risk of hereditary disease. Examples of health problems that serious English Springer Spaniel dog breeders today work actively to avoid are hip dysplasia, retinal dysplasia (RD), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and Phosphofructokinase (PFK)

English Springer Spaniel dog price

The English Springer Spaniel price varies from breeder to breeder, and the most important thing is to find out what you actually get for your money instead of simply comparing the numbers and buying the cheapest available puppy. You should for instance find out whether or not the breeder has paid to have the puppy examined by a vet, vaccinated and de-wormed, or if you will have to pay for this yourself.