The Spaniel is defined as a dog with drooping ears and a long silky coat. They are originally thought to be of Spanish heritage. One thought is that the word Spaniel is derived from the word Hispania, although this can not be confirmed.
The Spaniel, early on, had been separated into land and water versions of the breed. It has since been separated again into show breed as well. Each has its own role, characteristics and health issues. For the purposes of this article, we are going to focus on the English Springer Spaniel.
The earliest reference to the Springer Spaniel is in the late 1500's in a book authored by Dr. John Caius. The book was an early attempt to describe English dog breeds by their function. The Spaniels were referred to as Springing, Cocking or Hawking.
The breed was officially recognized in England in 1902. The AKC (American Kennel Club) formally recognized the breed in 1910.
This Spaniel is what is known as a gun dog. The specialized roll of the Springer Spaniel is to flush out game for its master, hence the "Springer" designation for its perchance of springing at fowl to make them visible to the hunter.
As with most Spaniels, they are likeable, loyal and very enthusiastic. They are particularly suited for their role as a hunting companion because of their powerful bodies which allows them to pursue game through difficult terrain. In addition, they have balance and endurance, traits essential for a successful hunting breed. Their body length is proportioned ideally. Too long a body hampers agility and tires easily. Too short a body affect speed and balance.
This is a medium-sized dog. The male weighs between 50-55 lbs. (23-25 kg.) and stands 18-20 inches (46-51 cm.) at the withers, which is the ridge at the shoulder blades. The female weighs between 35-45 lbs. (16-20 kg.) and stands 17-19 inches (43-48 cm.) at the withers. As you can see, the females is generally smaller than the male. The ideal size for the male is 20 inches and 19 inches for the female.
The Spaniels that are bred for hunting tend to have a shorter, more coarse coat which does shed. Shedding usually occurs early in the year, mostly spring and early summer. There are a number of color combination that you should expect with this breed:
- Black or liver, which tends towards dark brown, with white spots
- White with black or liver markings
- Black and white or liver with tan markings
To succeed as a gun dog, the breed must be obedient and determined to please. It must have a tenacious and determined mind with a quick learning capacity. These are critical traits of a hunting companion. In addition, the English Springer Spaniel can be affectionate, forgiving and somewhat easy-going which makes this breed one of the best family dog breeds.
Generally a healthy breed, there are some tendencies you should be aware of, such as hip, elbow and retinal dysplasia. Dysplasia is Greek for malformation. If you are purchasing a pup from a breeder, you should insist on a Veterinarian review of the dog's overall health with particular attention to these areas. The breed has long ears which can produce a tendency to ear infections. Weekly attention to cleaning the ear canals will significantly reduce the growth of bacterial thereby reducing future problems.
The English Springer Spaniel is a desirable hunting companion. It is easily trained, obedient and structurally sound of body allowing it to handle difficult hunting conditions. With moderate exercise it will maintain itself in good physical condition. Regular brushing is recommended in order to reduce or eliminate matting. Beyond this, though, its affectionate demeanor, desire to please, forgiving nature and easy-going style, makes them wonderful family members.
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