Videos English Springer Spaniel Breed Information
Country of origin -
England
Classification and breed standards
FCI:|Group
8 Section 2 #125|Stds
AKC:|Sporting|Stds
ANKC:|Group 3
(Gundogs)|Stds
CKC:|Group
1 - Sporting Dogs|Stds
KC
(UK):|Gundog|Stds
NZKC:|Gundog|Stds
UKC:|Gun
Dog|Stds
The English Springer Spaniel is a breed of gun dog
traditionally used for flushing and retrieving game. It is one of
many spaniel breeds.
1. Appearance
The English Springer Spaniel represents perhaps the greatest
divergence between working and show lines of any breed of dog. A
field-bred dog and a show-bred dog appear to be different breeds,
but are registered together. In fact, the gene pools are almost
completely segregated and have been for at least 70 years. A
field bred dog would not be even remotely competitive in a modern
dog show while a show dog would be unlikely to have the speed or
stamina to succeed in a field trial.
Field-bred dogs tend to have shorter, coarser coats than the
show-bred dogs. Their ears are less pendulous. Field-bred dogs are
wirey and have more of a feral look than their show-bred cousins.
The tail of the field bred dog is only docked by a few inches in
comparison to the show dog to provide a "flag" for the
hunter. Docking also prevents laceration of the tail during
hunting. Field-bred dogs are generally selected for nose, hunting
ability, and trainability rather than appearance.
Males in the show dog line average approximately 18-20 inches
(45-50 cm) at the withers and weigh on
average between 50 and 55 lb (23-25 kg). Females are generally
smaller, averaging closer to 40 lb (18 kg). According to the UK
(FCI) Breed Standard, the English Springer Spaniel should be
20 inches (51 cm) at the withers. Show
dogs have longer fur and more pendant ears, dewlaps and dangling flews. The tail is docked to
a short stub in those countries which permit docking. They are
generally more thickly boned and heavier than field-bred
springers.
The coat comes in three
different colour combinations. Black-and-white, liver-and-white, or
either of these combinations with tan markings (usually on the
cheeks and above the eyes). Dogs bred for show are generally more
colour than white, whereas sporting dogs tend to have more white in
their coats for visibility.
2. Temperament
The Springer is an affectionate and easy-going family dog, and
its alertness and attentiveness make it the ideal hunting
companion. An intelligent dog, and eager to please, a Springer is
easily incorporated into a family setting. Although good with
children, it tends to have a moderate to high energy level. Its
long-legged build makes it among the fastest of the spaniels. It
has unlimited stamina and needs plenty of activity, to focus its
mind and to provide substantial exercise, although this is
different for each dog.
Like any breed described as "good with children", a
Springer Spaniel must be accustomed to children. Any dog that is not well socialized with children will not behave
predictably around them.
In general, the breed is good with other pets, such as cats and ferrets, but, in
certain situations, may not tolerate same sex dogs. However, some
English Springer Spaniels may not be suitable for homes with pet
birds without additional training, due to their natural hunting
instinct. As with all breeds, dogs must become accustomed to other
pets, and it's better to introduce two pets when they're
both very young.
English Springer Spaniels are energetic, cheerful, happy and
playful animals; many owners find humour in their play. As with
many playful dogs or hunting dogs bred as retrievers, these dogs
will play with things as simple as empty plastic bottles, socks, or towels. These spaniels easily remember where such
things are kept and are good at getting them out. English Springer
Spaniels need a lot of regular exercise and mental stimulation for
optimum mental health.
3. Health
As in most breeds, there are some health issues that are more
likely to occur in this breed. Hip
dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy
(PRA) are two such diseases for which veterinarians are working on
genetic markers to determine carriers. Retinal dysplasia (RD) and Phosphofructokinase
deficiency (PFK) are two other hereditary conditions the
English springer spaniel should be screened for prior to breeding.
Canine Eye Research Foundation (CERF) and Orthopedic Foundation for
Animals (OFA) certifications for the father and mother of a
litter of pups provides some information about eye and hip
wellness.
Some English Springer Spaniels are prone to ear infections.
Susceptible individuals should have their ear canals cleaned weekly with a solution that
will leave the ear in an acidic state to
retard the growth of yeast and
bacteria. Keeping the hair trimmed
around the ear can also help.
Other health issues include autoimmune diseases, which include allergies and other sensitivities to the
environment. These are not common, but are found in the breed.
4. Skills
A springer spaniel is first and foremost an upland flushing dog.
In performing this task there are some skills the dog must be
trained to perform.
* Retrieve to Hand The majority of hunters and
all hunt test or field trial judges require that a dog deliver
a bird to hand, meaning that a dog will hold the bird until told to
give it to the hunter directly.
* Soft Mouth It is desired that a springer
deliver game with a soft mouth, meaning he does not puncture it
with his teeth. The game should always be fit for the
table. If a springer damages the bird, it may be hard mouthed.
This is a serious fault, but it can be difficult to determine
whether it may have been genetic or caused by poor training
methods. It is usually wise to avoid breeding any springer that is
hard mouthed.
* Quarter A flushing spaniel's primary role
is often as an upland flushing dog. Dogs must work in a zig-zag
pattern in front of the hunter seeking upland game birds. The dog must be
taught to stay within gun range to avoid flushing a bird outside of
shooting distance. This pattern is one of the primary criteria used
to judge a dog in a field trial.
* Scenting Having the ability to scent game is
of vital importance to the hunter. A springer should have a good
nose in both wet and dry conditions. A dog with a good nose will
learn to use the wind as it quests for game, ever adjusting its
pattern according to the nuances of the wind.
* Flushing The springer should have a positive
flush. It should not hesitate or point when encountering game. Some
field trial dogs will often get airborne during a flush. This is
exciting to watch, but is not necessary to win. Most hunters prefer
that their dog not flush in that style, as it can present a risk to
the dog.
* Hup This is the traditional command to sit and
stay. When hupped the dog can be given direction called to the
handler. The ability to hup a dog actively working a running bird
allow the handler and any gunners to keep up without having to
run.
* Follow Hand Signals Upland hunting involves
pursuing wild game in its native habitat. Gun dogs must investigate
likely covers for upland game birds. The dog must be responsive to
hand signals in order for the hunter to be able to direct the dog
into areas of particular interest.
* Steady When hunting upland birds, a flushing
dog should be steady to wing and shot, meaning that he sits when a
bird rises or a gun is fired. He does this in order to mark the
fall and to avoid flushing other birds when pursuing a missed
bird.
* Blind Retrieve An adequately trained and
experienced working springer can be expected to use all of the
aforementioned attributes to be conducted by hand, whistle and
command to a position whereby an unmarked lost game bird can be
picked and retrieved to hand.
5. History
This spaniel is an older breed,
appearing in paintings as early as the 1600s. It is possibly the ancestor of most modern
spaniels; Springer Spaniels and Cocker
Spaniels were not recognized as separate breeds until the
1800s.
The purpose of the breed was to serve as a hunting dog. Before guns were used to shoot game,
the land spaniel would "spring" - or flush - the gamebird into the air where a trained falcon or hawk would bring it to the handler.
As the shotgun replaced the bird of
prey for the hunter, the English Springer Spaniel continued to
serve as a hunting companion. Although most are hunted on
traditional upland game, the springer spaniel is adept at hunting
waterfowl and small game, as well. They
are excellent rabbit dogs. The spaniel is trained to
"hup" - or sit - until the hunter casts the dog off to
start hunting. A good spaniel is bold to cover, has an excellent
"wet" or "dry" nose, works within gun range in
an efficient, merry fashion and has a strong flush. The dog should
mark the fall of the bird - or accept minimal handling to the area
of the fall, where its nose can locate the downed bird's scent.
After finding dead or wounded game, the spaniel should have a quick
pick up, return to the hunter and deliver the prize with a soft
mouth.
6. Famous English Springer Spaniels
* Spot Fetcher, pet of US President George W. Bush
* Millie Bush, pet of former
President George H. W. Bush and
mother of Spot Fetcher.
* Merlin MacDonald, pet of Celtic lore that aided William Wallace in the defeat of the
English army in the Battle
of Stirling Bridge
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
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