English Springer Spaniel
Temperament:
The cheerful, lively English Springer Spaniel impresses with its great looks. He offers character, health and a racy physique. His friendly, easy-going and obedient nature will quickly conquer your heart. Qualities, like aggression or timidity, are far from him. In former times he was used as a pure hunting dog for tracking game. Today he is a reliable companion even without a working test.
Characteristics
The English Springer Spaniel is a robust, medium size, friendly Comrade. He belongs to the Stöberhunden and Retrieving dogs and hunting with a lot of barking. This track loud chasing sounds higher in sound than ordinary barking. Of all British Spaniels, he is the tallest on his legs. His dark brown, almond-shaped eyes look curious and alert.
The tail was docked in the past. Today this harmonizes with the symmetrical overall appearance of the Spaniel. When walking slowly, the typical pass gait of the breed becomes visible.
He loves his master or mistress and is devoted to his pack. A Spaniel will never be dominant towards you, but wants to please his master or mistress. His Stubborn he tries to enforce with brains. With the right combination of consistency and love, you can handle this well.
Spaniels do not like to stay alone. They want to be with their pack and quickly feel lonely and abandoned. The child-loving hunting dog is a late developer. His mental and physical development does not end until he is 2 years old.
In England and the USA it belongs to the most popular dog breeds. Two different breeding lines were created there. One, which promotes the nature of the family dog and the other, which appreciates the qualities of the proven, sovereign hunting dog.
The differences are not only in the character. Jumpers from the hunting dog line of the English-speaking world have shorter and higher set ears as well as a smaller stick size. In Germany there are no differences in the appearance of the two main lines. Find out in advance which show line your Springer comes from.
You do not want to lead your Spaniel hunting? Nevertheless, he has plenty of hunting instinct? Just use his hunting passion to play together. Tracking, Retrieval exercises and Search games especially please him and keep him busy in a manner appropriate to his species. Your hunting dog is optimally promoted and is busy.
You do not acquire a guard dog with an English Springer Spaniel. Surely he will show you when strangers are around. However, his gentleness prevents him from consistently chasing away intruders.
Some English Springer Spaniel urinate with joy. This usually happens when the master or mistress comes home. You can prevent this submissive urination with a more discreet greeting ritual.
There are only a few Hereditary diseaseswhich stresses this robust breed. Occasionally occur progressive Retinal atrophy and Fucosidosis on. Both diseases are inherited recessively. Thus, both parents would have to be burdened with this genetic defect. A puppy from a serious breeding will not suffer from these diseases later.
Some jumpers are susceptible to Ear infections.
This breed can have a hereditary dominant aggression occur. It is also Springer Rage Syndrome called. In this case, the aggressiveness is directed directly to the family members. They can attack these people without any reason and cause bite injuries. That's why you should look at the pedigree data very carefully before you decide on a spaniel.
If you want your jumper bitch castrate must, so it becomes fat afterwards. This breed reacts to this procedure by gaining weight. In addition, she will develop a dull puppy coat. Please have this operation only if it is absolutely necessary.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The friendly dog is a true vacuum cleaner. He loves food and is not a fussy eater. So he is easy to train, but can quickly have a few kilos too much on the dog ribs. High quality food and plenty of exercise will help to ensure that your spaniel grows old in good health. A higher bowl prevents the long floppy ears from hanging in the food.
The energy consumption of a hunting dog is enormous. The most important energy suppliers in the feed are fats and possibly carbohydrates. Fats are easier to digest. Some unsaturated fatty acids are essential for life. These are found mainly in the meat of well kept grazing animals or in fish.
Proteins serve as building materials for body tissue. A balanced ratio is important for both components. The higher the protein content of a food, the greater the energy content should be. Minerals, trace elements and vitamins must still be included in the dog food.
A real dispute has broken out among dog owners about the choice of the right dog food. Some swear by BARF, others have made good experiences with ready-made food. Choose the food that your dog tolerates. It should contain the mentioned nutrients and taste good to your dog.
Health & Care
The dense, smooth and weather-resistant coat needs your attention. If you don't brush it daily, it will mat easily. Every 2 to 3 months he should be trimmed. Accustom him to this procedure in time, so he will take it calmly and you will build a deeper bond with him.
Since the coat is soft, you get dirt removed without difficulty.
Especially his Hanging ears you should keep an eye on, because they are too Infections inclined. You can avoid this by keeping the ears clean. Since he often has his nose down and loves to sniff around, his ears tend to drag on the ground. This way they pick up everything that gets stuck.
In the mainly white fur with liver brown or black spots you will find faster Ticks and other vermin, than with completely dark-haired dogs.
During the shedding season, the jumper loses plenty of hair. These are good to suck up with a vacuum cleaner in the house, because they do not get caught in the carpet or sofa.
Some dogs develop a condition due to an increased Sebaceous gland production an unpleasant odor. In mild cases, however, the vet prescribes a mild dog shampoo.
Also the Dental care you should do regularly.
Suitable accessories
The very active dog enjoys exercise and play. Just take him for a jog or a bike ride. If you ever have less time, you can take him with a Stimulus rod exhausting. A ten-minute game with it challenges him as much as a one-hour walk.
Unfortunately, animal subtenants on and in the dog can usually only be combated with chemicals. Your veterinarian will help you with advice and action.
In Germany you pay for your dog Dog tax. You simply register them at the office. A Liability insurance is recommended. This is not very expensive, but can protect your wallet from disappointment in case of damage.
Your jumper needs a tableware or collar and a leashso that both of you can be safe on the road. In the car, your dog must be properly secured. For this would be a Transport box suitable. Furthermore you have to think of Bowls, a Resting place and possibly a Dog flap think
For retrieval is suitable a Dummy or also a prey dummies. Sometimes hidden pieces of food are enough to encourage your dog to search.
For the care of the coat you need a brush, shampoo and a Tick Pliers. The ears are cleaned with a clean, damp cloth. For the claws is recommended a Claw pliers. If you want to trim it yourself, you will need the appropriate equipment for that as well.
Origin & History
Springer Spaniels belong to the oldest breeds of hunting dogs. The Romans occupied Britain shortly after the beginning of our era. In their luggage they had the ancestors of the English Springer Spaniels. There they were crossed with native dogs. The result was a robust hunting dog with brown-red fur.
In 1520, the "Springer" were mentioned for the first time in Britain in the description of hunting methods. The Duke of Norfolk bred from it in the 17th century the hunting dog breed "Norfolk spaniel“.
This race name was 1 century later in the English Springer Spaniel renamed.
1902 the British recognition as an independent dog breed took place.
Exactly at this time hunters in Germany became aware of the hunting dog. 1954 followed the international recognition from the "Fédération Cynologique Internationale".
