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Breed profile

English Springer Spaniel

Cheerful, busy gundog that loves water, mud and people in roughly that order. Working lines run hotter than show lines.

Wet liver-and-white English Springer Spaniel sitting in a garden among flowers after a swim
Fresh out of the water, which is where a Springer would rather be.Photo: travelmouse / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
18–25 kg40–55 lb
Height
48–51 cm19–20 in
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Group
Gundog / Sporting
Origin
England
Popularity
#27 US#6 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsEasy to trainGood with other dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Friendly, Eager, Energetic, Affectionate.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Ear infections (otitis externa)
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (cord1)
  • Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia
  • Chronic hepatitis

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Two hours of activity a day, ideally with retrieving, swimming or scent work. Brush weekly and check the ears after every swim.

A good fit for

Active families, walkers and runners, and anyone interested in gundog training.

Probably not ideal for

Small flats, long hours alone, and owners who want a tidy, low-energy dog.

Sources

  1. English Springer Spaniel Dog Breed Information | American Kennel Club
  2. Spaniel (English Springer) | Breeds A to Z | The Royal Kennel Club
  3. English Springer Spaniel | Science for Animal Welfare (UFAW) genetic welfare problems
  4. English Springer Spaniel | Wikipedia

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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