Springer dog. Description, features, care and price of the Springer breed

The English Springer Spaniel is a sociable, active dog with an attractive appearance. It belongs to the ancient hunting breeds and has good performance characteristics. For a hunter, this dog will become an indispensable assistant. But now these dogs are more often adopted as companions. They are suitable for families with children and sports owners. They are friendly, obedient, loyal. But before getting an English Springer Spaniel, you need to study the description, pros and cons, and reviews about the breed.

Breed traits

Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)

This breed is often compared to the following dog breeds: English Cocker Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Breton Spaniel, Deutsche Drahthaar (German Wirehaired Pointer), Irish Red Setter.

The photo shows what English springer spaniels look like:

General characteristics of the breed

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog, strong and muscular. Characteristic features of appearance are silky fur, square muzzle, long ears. In the description of the breed, special attention is paid to working qualities. This dog was bred to hunt birds.

You won't be able to use her as a guard or watchman. Due to the lack of aggression, she treats all people kindly. Thanks to its keen sense of smell, it is often used by the police and customs to search for prohibited substances. Springer spaniels enjoy participating in various sports and love to learn tricks. They easily overcome obstacles and swim well.

pros

Representatives of the English Springer Spaniel breed have many advantages:

• unpretentious, easily adaptable to any living conditions;
• thanks to its medium size, it can be kept in an apartment;
• love children, are patient and careful with them;
• not conflicting, not prone to dominance;
• the character is soft, they do not show aggression at all;
• smart and quick-witted, quickly learn commands and rules of behavior;
• hunting qualities are well developed.

Minuses

The English Springer Spaniel is a very active dog. It is not suitable for elderly people or homebodies; it requires an energetic owner. If not a hunter, then at least an athlete or outdoor enthusiast. This breed is also not suitable for those who work a lot and are rarely at home. English Springer Spaniels need human companionship. There are a few more disadvantages that you need to consider before getting this dog:

• she cannot stand loneliness;
• out of boredom he can bark loudly and spoil things;
• sometimes runs after birds on the street;
• prone to obesity;
• does not get along well with small pets.

History of the origin of the English Springer Spaniel breed

This breed of dog appeared in the 14th century. These spaniels were bred in England, and bird hunting with them was popular. Already at that time, the appearance of these dogs and their white and brown coloring developed. These spaniels were called springers for their hunting behavior. They track the game, and when they spot it, they jump out of cover, causing the bird to fly up. In English, springer means “jumper.”

These spaniels were first used in falconry, then became the best gun dogs. They tracked and raised the bird on the wing, and then brought the shot prey to the owner. They were not afraid to get into the water or into the bushes.

Until the 19th century, spaniels were not divided into different breeds, although even then several varieties existed. The different species differed only in size.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was officially recognized and called the English Springer Spaniel. The first standard was adopted at the same time. In breeding, the main focus was on conformation. But the breeders also took into account working qualities. Now this dog is the best for hunting birds.

The breed spread throughout the world and became popular. Due to their gentle nature, these dogs are now kept as companions and pets.

Dogs of the Viksville kennel on the hunt (Viksvill Dogs - hunting)

English Springer Spaniel Standard

This is a medium-sized dog with a dense build. The body is harmonious and muscular. Height at the withers is about 50 cm, weight – 20-23 kg. Now the breed is divided into two varieties: working (field) dogs and companions. The first ones are intended for hunting, they are stocky and strong. Field Springer Spaniels have shorter coats. The latter take part in exhibitions; they have an attractive appearance, but have almost lost their hunting skills.

Head

The skull is moderately long, wide with a rounded occiput. The muzzle is elongated, almost square in shape. The stop is moderate, cheekbones are flat. The teeth are strong, scissor bite. But the grip is soft; when feeding the game, the dog does not damage it. The nostrils are large, the lobe is movable, and black. But in light-colored dogs it can be brown.

The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped. The color is definitely brown, the darker the better. The look is smart, attentive. The ears are long, wide, and set at eye level. They hang down, lie close to the head, and are covered with long, slightly wavy hair.

Body type

The neck is long, muscular, widening towards the withers. There is no dewlap, the chest is deep. The back is level, gradually descending towards the croup, the loin is slightly convex. The tail is set low and in the UK it is customary to dock it. If it remains natural, then its length is average. Carried straight or slightly curved.

Limbs

The limbs are proportional to the body. Straight, placed parallel. Elbows are pressed to the body, hips are wide. The paws are compact, the toes are arched, with thick pads, and collected. The dog moves easily, runs quickly and jumps high.

Coat and color

The coat is straight, silky, with a small dense undercoat. It protects the dog from moisture, cold and heat. The length of the coat is average, but there are long feathers on the ears, limbs, and belly.

Common colors are white with brown, chocolate or red spots. They are classic. Now the standard allows white with black, with lemon.

Photos complement the description of the appearance of the breed representatives:

Personality of English Springer Spaniels

Representatives of the breed are active, agile, cheerful. They get along well with children, calmly tolerate their pranks, and participate in all games. Can be used as a nanny. These dogs are sociable, they constantly need human communication. You should not leave them alone for a long time; boredom will cause them to act out.

Springer Spaniels require a lot of exercise. They are active, ready to run, jump, and perform tricks a lot. Without exercise, these dogs quickly gain weight and become moody and disobedient.

The character of representatives of this breed can be characterized by the following qualities:

• cheerful;
• sociable;
• affectionate;
• obedient;
• efficient;
• curious;
• playful.

These dogs are loyal, choose one person as their owner, and do not cope well with separation from him. Although they are friendly with all people, even strangers.

Education and training

Representatives of this breed are easy to train. With patience and persistence, these dogs can be taught many commands. It is necessary to begin training the puppy from the first days of his arrival in the house. It must be taken into account that these dogs have strong hunting instincts. It is better to practice in nature, build training in the form of a game.

These dogs are smart and quickly remember commands. But they are very curious and active, so they are often distracted. It is important to captivate your pet and keep his attention, then the training will be successful. Basic commands that need to be taught to every dog:

• to me;
• place;
• it is forbidden;
• sit;
• stand;
• lie;
• near.

Education must be consistent. The puppy needs to be made to understand who is in charge and how to behave correctly. It is recommended to scold for misconduct in a stern voice; physical punishment is unacceptable. Encouragement is important for correct execution of commands: affection, praise, treats.

It is advisable to load your pet with constant mental and physical exercise. These dogs love to run, jump, dig, swim, search and fetch. Boredom and immobility have a destructive effect on them.

These dogs can sometimes be stubborn. Therefore, to develop special skills or training for hunting, it is better to turn to professionals. You can start such training at 5-6 months.

The photo shows the behavioral features of these dogs:

Training and education

Training the breed is not difficult, as the dog is smart and easy to train. The main thing is to be firm, fair and praise the puppy more. You cannot talk to him, shout, or physically punish him. It is necessary to raise a baby from the first day in a new home. It is useful to take an obedience course, after which he can be released from the leash.

If the dog is being prepared for hunting, you can seek help from a professional trainer, and if you are planning a show career, you can turn to a professional handler. You can also take several master classes and train your pet yourself. Hunting is taught from an early age. Puppies love to search and catch. It is necessary to teach your pet to take game by the throat. Then the dog is weaned from grabbing the prey and taught to lift it. Perhaps the most difficult thing is to develop an instinct: to establish a connection between the smell and the bird.

Features of care

A private house with a plot of land is most suitable for keeping these dogs. You should not limit your pet; you need to give him the opportunity to run and frolic. Representatives of this breed are unpretentious and tolerate heat and frost well. But you can’t keep them in a booth or enclosure, as they need human interaction. If you keep your pet in a city apartment, you need to walk your pet 2-3 times a day for an hour.

The English Springer Spaniel does not require complex care. The coat needs to be brushed a couple of times a week. Use a stiff brush and rubber glove to remove dead hair. During shedding, which occurs twice a year, the dog needs to be brushed daily.

The hair between the toes and in the ears should be trimmed regularly. For show dogs, it is recommended that the hair on the body be trimmed, but not short, otherwise it will grow thicker, become wavy and thin. It is not necessary to bathe often; once every 3 months is enough. If the claws do not grind down, they need to be trimmed as they grow.

Your pet's floppy ears require special attention. They need to be inspected regularly and dirt removed. They wipe their eyes several times a week; it is also recommended to brush your pet’s teeth with veterinary paste.

Nutrition

Veterinarians recommend feeding these dogs natural food. They need a sufficient amount of protein, so the bulk of the diet should be lean meat, offal, and sea fish. It is useful to give 1-2 chicken yolks per week, fermented milk products. These dishes need to be supplemented with vegetables, herbs, and add a little vegetable oil to the porridge once a day. Vitamin supplements should be given as recommended by your veterinarian.

When choosing dry food, it is better to give preference to premium and super-premium class. Such feed contains all the necessary microelements. The food should be intended for active medium breed dogs. Suitable brands are Probalance, Royal Canin, Pro Plan, Acana, Hills.

Health

With proper care, an English Springer Spaniel can live 12-14 years. These dogs are in good health, only sometimes congenital and acquired diseases occur:

• retinal atrophy;
• hip dysplasia;
• otitis;
• dermatitis;
• obesity.

Representatives of this breed sometimes exhibit a special form of epilepsy called “rage syndrome.” During an attack, the dog becomes aggressive and does not obey. This disease is curable.

To keep your pet healthy, you need to regularly get vaccinated against common infections. Deworming is necessary 3-4 times a year. And in the warm season, treat the fur every month for ticks and fleas.

Feeding

Proper feeding is the key to a dog’s health. By the age of one year, puppies are transferred to two meals a day, preferably natural. Springers, like all other breeds, love meat, but they are strictly forbidden to eat pork; veal or beef without fat, lamb, and horse meat are allowed. Buckwheat and rice are cooked for dogs. Fish and eggs are allowed once a week.

Puppies are fed 6 times a day; their diet includes fermented milk food (in the morning), cottage cheese, and kefir. Calcium supplements are welcome. There should be meat every day, you can give poultry (without tubular bones). Vegetables, fruits, and multivitamins are added to food. Clean water is always available in the public domain.

Photo: wikimedia.org2

How to buy an English Springer Spaniel puppy

It is better to buy a purebred puppy from a nursery; you can contact well-known breeders involved in breeding the breed. Such dogs will have a pedigree, all veterinary certificates, and a brand. In Moscow, prices for springer spaniels start from 30 thousand rubles.

When choosing a puppy, you must first decide on the gender. Bitches are calmer and more obedient. They should be chosen for a family with children or if the owner plans to breed. Males are more suitable for hunting or exhibitions.

The puppy should be active, curious, playful. The fact that he is healthy is indicated by clean, clear eyes, the absence of an unpleasant odor, smooth fur, and a confident gait.

Photos of puppies:

An interesting video will complement the description of the breed:

Video: English Springer Spaniel. Breed characteristics, care

Video: Dog breed English Springer Spaniel

Video: English Springer Spaniel. Pros and cons, price, how to choose, facts, care, history

English Springer Spaniels are cheerful, sociable dogs. They are capable of becoming a devoted friend and companion for a child, an active young man, or a hunter. If you give your pet enough attention and raise it correctly, communicating with it will only bring joy.

Our descendants