English Springer Spaniel
英國史賓格獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized flushing gundog with long, lush ears, a kindly expression and a double coat that sheds moderately. Springers are friendly, eager to please and highly trainable, intensely people-oriented and unhappy left alone; they love outdoor activity and make excellent walking and hiking companions.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 48–51cm |
| Weight | 18–25kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 8 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma or lens luxation is reported in the breed; screening tests exist. Ask your vet urgently if an eye becomes cloudy, red or painful.
Pyruvate kinase / PFK deficiency
An inherited red blood cell enzyme deficiency is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about testing.
Behaviour
Quick to learn, willing to take orders
The CKC says the typical Springer is eager to please, quick to learn and willing to take orders — poised, attentive and noted for its friendliness; the AKC calls the breed highly trainable and says continued training keeps this lively, intelligent dog well-mannered.
Indoors with the family, outdoors for fun
The AKC says Springers are happiest living indoors with their family and enjoy outdoor activities, making great companions on long walks or hikes; with proper exercise they can suit a smaller home. The CKC says they are best suited to homes offering lots of outdoor exercise.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — English Springer Spaniel
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Spaniel English Springer (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Spaniel English Springer
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — English Springer Spaniel (standard no. 125, group 8)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's 'right Springer' guidance says the typical temperament is loving and gentle though active, but that anyone wanting a one-person dog, or who is away from home a great deal, should consider another breed because Springers are intensely people-oriented; it adds they shed moderately year-round and make poor guard dogs.”
— English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association — The 'Right' Springer via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]English Springer Spaniel — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Spaniel English Springer — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Spaniel English Springer — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]English Springer Spaniel — FCI standard no. 125 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]The "Right" Springer — ESSFTA — English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association — The 'Right' Springer (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.