broken , intelligent , and bred specifically to work closely with humans , English springing cow spaniels are citizenry - pleasing family frank who can get along with a variety of other creature and in many live situations .

Originally bred to be tenacious hunters , the English springer spaniel has developed a report as a favorable , eager - to - pleasefamily dogwho is just as well-fixed with backyard playtime as she is flushing gamefowl .

by from being masterly hunting companions , springers arewell - become for agilityand obedience competitions , make splendid running companions , and have gained fame for their easygoing and loyal dispositions . Not to mention , English springing cow spaniels are full brainiacs and have been key out one of themost reasoning dog breeds .

English Springer spaniel standing in field

Даша Швецова / Adobe Stock

Appearance

One of the independent traits that sets the English springer spaniel apart from other breeds is just how different show - bred ( or " bench " ) and study - spawn pups are . While the two type are registered as the same breed of dog , they are in fact distinct from one another .

According toEnglish Springer Rescue America ( ESRA ) , work bench - bred English springer spaniels have a retentive , silkier coat with more feathering and less freckles ( holler " tick " ) . Field - cover springer spaniel spaniel , meanwhile , have a forgetful coat with more ticks throughout theirmostly livid coat . Because plain spaniels were bred to work , their tail are also traditionally dock ( though this practice is controversial , per theAmerican Veterinary Medical Association ) .

Both type of English springer spaniel make as ripe family pets , but knowing the key difference between the two will aid a likely owner make an informed decision on which pup to bring home .

english springer spaniel jumping in air

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" Anytime show traits are involved in raising , something else is sacrifice , " say Dennis Riordan , DVM , of theRiordan Pet Hospitalin Des Moines , Iowa .

For work bench and field - engender springers , that ritual killing will mostly be in the " facial expression vs. abilities " area . Field - breed springers will instinctually be the betterhunting wienerwurst , but will also have more magnetic variation in size of it or coloration . Meanwhile , workbench - bred springers may take a minuscule more body of work to civilise for hunt , but they will also adjust more promptly to a home - and - folk lifestyle . Bench - bred pups may also have slightly lowerrequirements for physical activityor a higher doorway for boredom .

Both dogs have the same basic lifespans , wellness concern , and ecumenical temperament . But in other respects , " It ’s tremendous how much variation you’re able to find out within the strain , " Riordian says .

closeup of an english springer spaniel

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Temperament

Whether work bench or field - bred , English springing cow spaniel are highly intelligent , playful , super social heel . They love waterand will look for every chance to splash around . English springer spaniels generallyget along well with childrenand other fauna , though the field - bred springing cow may have their hunting instinct triggered by cats or other small beast . likewise , if left to their own devices in a backyard , it may be at the peril of any tarry raspberry .

Despite their hunting nature around small animals , English impost spaniels are quick to recognise humans with a tail waggle and baggy kiss . They may alertbark as someone approaches the door , but always in more of a well-disposed greeting than any form of warning .

This intelligence , coupled with their instinctive desire to trace and work , also makes the English springer spanielpick up cues easy . She ’s an excellent candidate for agility coursework , as well as hunting and obedience competition . English springer spaniel are happiest when they have a caper to do and willrelish the daily trainingand pattern these events require .

english springer spaniel lying next to a yellow ball with her tongue out

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As with any breed , the more you’re able to understand about a puppy ’s bloodlines , the better you’re able to gauge how an individual pup will behave .

" bear attending to the parents , " Riordan says . " The mother is most often the one that ’s uncommitted , but take a aspect at both parents , if you may . Watch their deportment and you ’ll have a just clue about the pups . "

Living Needs

The English impost spaniel can adjust to a spacious form of living spaces and situations . The two constant that must be a part of their liveliness , however , are physical activity and human fundamental interaction . Both varieties of English springer spaniel are dogs that will require day-after-day outdoor activity time , preferably with plenty of elbow room to run . Once fledged , they make near ramble companions , tramp buddies , andwill recreate fetchuntil you ’re too tired to throw any more .

Similarly , both versions of the dog will also bond with the world in the planetary house quickly — and intensely . This can leave in separation anxiety if they are left alone for more than a couple hours at a time , which can in turn result in chew or focus bark . If go out alfresco unattended for prospicient periods of time , a bored springer canbecome a diggerwho might destroy your flower beds if impart to her own gadget .

Those considerations aside , English springer spaniel have been known to adapt well to a across-the-board miscellany of homes ( even apartments , as long as they get their daily run in ) and have repute as downhearted - maintenance , easygoing companion .

Photograph of George H.W. Bush laying on lawn and cuddling three puppies

Care

English springer spaniels’grooming needsare pretty basic . The field of study - bred dogs are slightly easier to maintain , as their hair is less prone to mat up or continue burrs and debris , but both rendering will benefit froma encounter - down twice a week . They can bemoderate shedders , especially in the spring when theydrop their thick undercoat .

English springer spaniel spaniels are n’t afraid of a little ( or a destiny of ) mud and dirt , so dogs that spend a lot of time outside willrequire more washup . As a world-wide rule , both versions of the dog should be bathed once every three months or so . Like all dogs , theirnails should be trimmedand goodish ( if you hear them click - clacking across the floor , it ’s clip for a clipping ) .

The English springer spaniel ’s mellow intelligence information make believe her a unforced andable education partner . Whether you ’re teach her the basics likesitting on cueandcoming when calledor training her for the field , alwaysuse irrefutable reinforcementfor the best resolution ( and a happy whelp ) .

Photograph of President George W. Bush’s spaniel standing on White House lawn

Health

As with most dogs with long auricle , ear infection can be a problemfor English springer spaniels , and owners should inspect andclean their earsregularly to prevent inflammation .

to boot , obesity is a problemfor the breed , particularly if their physical action needs are n’t being met . corpulency can make or worsen joint , back , or gastrointestinal problems , as well as triggering the English springer spaniel ’s higher than average propensity fordiabetes . let the cat out of the bag to your vet about how much and how often you should bung your springer spaniel to avail withweight direction .

The other most mutual health issues for English springing cow spaniels , according to theEnglish Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association ( ESSFTA ) , includeelbow dysplasiaorhip dysplasia , retinal dysplasia , and skin disorders . They ’re also at risk of infection ofPhosphofructokinase deficiency(PFK ) , which can make pups anemic and prone to muscle botheration .

History

There ’s evidence that spaniel - character click existed in the U.K. as other as 300 AD , according to the ESSFTA . Over the centuries , these firedog were used to saltation ( hence the name ) game for hawks , coursing hounds , and cyberspace . When the wheel lock small-arm came about in the seventeenth 100 , the spaniel thrived at flushing game for " vaporize shoot down " hunting .

By the tour of the nineteenth century , heel of the same spaniel litters were being separated into " springing , " and " cocking " classes , based in the main on size and weightiness . This eventually lead to the detachment of the cocker spaniel and springing cow into genetically different breeds . The American Kennel Club recognized the English springing cow spaniel in 1910 .

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