English Springer Spaniel: breed characteristics and breeding

The English Springer Spaniel is one of the oldest breeds. Representatives of this species are very active and have a high level of intelligence. Previously, these dogs were brought up mainly for joint hunting. However, the animal can be not only a wonderful hunter, but also just a friend for the whole family. The article will discuss in detail the characteristics of the breed and the subtleties of cultivation.

For a long time, all spaniels were considered one type of dog. The classification has appeared relatively recently. English Springer Spaniels were isolated in Great Britain in the 19th century.

It is believed that the homeland of dogs was a non-metropolitan ceremonial county in the east of England - Norfolk. The breed enjoyed great popularity in Wales. For this reason, for some time such dogs were called Welsh spaniels. Over time, animals spread throughout the world and the breeding of the breed began to take place on a massive scale.

At first, English Springer Spaniels were taken with them only for falconry. Over time, the range of tasks and skills of these dogs has expanded. People realized that the physiological and intellectual capabilities allow the use of such dogs for almost any kind of hunting, whether it be catching forest birds or wild game.

The breed is known for its stamina and activity. In addition, dogs have a number of other qualities that make them consummate hunters... Spaniels are not afraid of loud gunshots. They are good at locating and looking for prey.

Such dogs are not afraid of water and are naturally endowed with the qualities of excellent swimmers. This allows them to rush after the wild bird into water bodies and, if necessary, dive after it. English Springer Spaniels jokingly overcome obstacles in the form of high obstacles or holes. In addition, they are hardy and can be with the owner for a large amount of time hunting.

English springer spaniel it is easy to train to be silent while hunting, and he will not scare away the game. Another feature of this breed is that the dogs do not spoil the prey with their teeth, but carefully deliver it to the owner.

The English Springer Spaniel is the tallest representative of the spaniel. The body of such dogs is visually light, compact and proportional. The weight of adults ranges from 23 kilograms. Height at the withers can range from 48 to 51 centimeters.

The cranial part of the head is of medium length and not very wide. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is rounded. In the area between the eyes, a groove is clearly visible, which is directed back to the tubercle on the back of the head. The bump, in turn, should not stand out too much.

English Springer Spaniels have flat cheekbones. The length of the muzzle is almost identical to the skull and does not have a rough outline. The jaws of dogs are quite powerful, with symmetrically placed teeth and a correct bite.

The eyes of the breed are medium in size and oval in shape. They should be dark brown in color. Light shades of eyes are considered a manifestation of marriage.

The ears of English Springer Spaniels are long and rather wide. They are set at eye level and hang down. They fit quite tightly to the head. Dogs' necks are long and powerful. The neck is wider at the shoulders than at the head.

The body of the dog is muscular, the chest is well developed. The front legs are straight and the back is covered with long hair. The hips in dogs are wide and powerful. The paws on the front and hind legs are rounded.

The tail is set rather low and covered with long, dense hair. The hairline is quite close to the body. The coat is usually straight, but may be slightly wavy. With regard to color, all varieties recognized for spaniels are allowed. However, the most preferred individuals are white with black and brown spots.

English Springer Spaniels do not tend to be aggressive, therefore they are poorly suited as a guard dog. But they get along well with children, love active games and are kind to the people around them. However, it should be remembered that a cheerful disposition and excessive activity require special treatment for such a dog. A pet needs movement, attention and good upbringing.

Without training, the animal can stop obeying the owner and become difficult to control. Exercise is also essential to keep your pet in good physical shape. Although English Springer Spaniels are not aggressive in nature, they are not cowards either. Dogs are driven by curiosity and friendliness.

Finding an English Springer Spaniel puppy is not particularly difficult.This breed is one of the most widespread in the whole world. There are specialized nurseries not only in foreign countries, but also in Russia. On the territory of the Russian Federation, there are about 10 large nurseries.

When choosing a dog, it is necessary to evaluate its external characteristics and behavior. Healthy puppies should be agile and curious. New people should not embarrass dogs, but, on the contrary, arouse their interest. At a young age, English Springer Spaniels should be quite massive in appearance and may even appear plump.

The representatives of this breed become thinner and stronger only with age. However, the belly of the puppies should not be too inflated. Otherwise, it may indicate the presence of helminths. Individuals from the same litter must be identical in size.

When choosing a pet, it is not enough just to evaluate its appearance and behavior. The seller must also provide all the necessary documents for the animal, namely:

• birth certificate, which will indicate the details of the puppy's parents;
• documents on the pedigree of both parents;
• veterinary passport, which will indicate the data on the vaccinations received.

English Springer Spaniels are poorly suited for outdoor use. Representatives of this breed do not have a warm undercoat, and therefore they will not be able to live in an aviary in the winter. In addition, such dogs need constant contact with the owner, so they feel most comfortable living next to him in the same territory.

However, representatives of this breed also cannot be constantly within the four walls. Dogs need regular exercise and outdoor play. English Springer Spaniels are natural swimmers, so during the warmer months, if possible, you should take them to bodies of water so that they can splash in the water.

As for caring for dogs, it is important to monitor the appearance of the pet and its coat. You need to purchase special shampoos and hairbrushes. Brushing will vary throughout the year:

• in winter, you can comb the wool no more than once a week;
• when the pet begins to shed, you need to comb it daily;
• You need to brush your dogs 2-3 times a week in the summer.

Representatives of this breed need regular haircuts. Without the proper skills, it is best not to cut your pet yourself, but to use the services of a professional groomer. Show spaniels are trimmed at least once every two months. Pet hair is usually trimmed once a year during the summer.

It is recommended to wash the dog's hair using special products. Show pets are washed twice a month, it is enough to bathe an ordinary pet once every two months.

The regularity and diet of English Springer Spaniels depends on their age, body weight and health status.The menu for each pet can be developed individually. You can feed animals both with natural products and with ready-made feed. The main thing is that the diet is balanced, and the dog receives all the necessary nutrients daily.

Puppies that have not yet reached the age of 8 months should be fed no more than 6 times a day. After 8 months, food should be given 2 times a day. It is recommended to include the following foods in the English Springer Spaniel menu:

• fresh veal;
• fillet of sea fish;
• rice porrige;
• lettuce and carrots;
• boiled offal;
• pears and bananas.

Some foods can be dangerous for dogs, even if they like them. You cannot feed your pet with the following:

• chocolate and sweets;
• grapes and pomegranates;
• garlic and onions;
• avocado;
• alcoholic drinks;
• walnuts.

The choice of ready-made feed must be approached with all responsibility. Economy class compositions do not contain useful elements and can only temporarily dull the feeling of hunger. With regular use of such food, your pet may develop health problems. The best option would be super premium and holistic products.

English Springer Spaniels are quite curious and intelligent, and therefore easy to train. Start raising puppies immediately after weaning. The pet must get used to the owner and his nickname.

In the process of training, you must adhere to the sequence in your actions. The animal must clearly understand what is wanted from him. It is necessary to be persistent in teaching and at the same time to be patient.

Breeding English Springer Spaniels is a very responsible and costly process. Litter in dogs of this breed is small, so the investment does not always pay off completely. The main difficulty lies in finding a suitable male with a good pedigree. It is not recommended to mate with individuals that do not have a birth certificate and health certificates.

Male and female can also be judged by previous litters. A dog can be purebred and outwardly beautiful, but at the same time it is bad to pass on its characteristics to the offspring. If possible, it is necessary to evaluate at least the external data of the puppies in the previous litter.

As for the colors, it is customary to knit bitches with a monochromatic coat with monochromatic males, and multi-colored individuals, in turn, are crossed with colored dogs. Getting healthy and beautiful offspring is not limited to everything.

The health and life expectancy of English Springer Spaniels largely depend on the conditions of their maintenance and care. These dogs usually live between 10 and 15 years. Springs can be born with a number of inherited conditions:

• fucosidosis;
• eye diseases;
• allergic reactions;
• congenital deafness.

Sick animals need special care and regular monitoring by a veterinarian. Pets that are healthy from birth also need periodic check-ups in a veterinary clinic, timely vaccination and treatment against helminths and skin parasites.

At home, you need to monitor the condition of the eyes, ears and teeth of the dog. Dust and hairs can settle on the eyeballs, which, in turn, leads to suppuration. You can rinse your eyes with chamomile infusion.

Ears are cleaned of excess sulfur using cotton pads. As for the teeth, you can take your pet to the veterinarian for a professional cleaning. You can also train your pet to regularly clean the enamel at home, which will reduce the risk of plaque formation.

For information on the characteristics of this dog breed, see the next video.