- Dog suitable for owners with some experience
- Extra training required
- Generally healthy breed
- Enjoys vigorous walks
- Enjoys more than two hours of walking a day
- Medium dog
- Some drool
- Requires grooming every other day
- Chatty and vocal dog
- Barks and alerts to visitors/anything unusual
- Generally friendly with other dogs
- Gets along with other pets with training
- May need additional supervision to live with children
- Needs a large garden
- Can live in semi-rural areas
- Can be left occasionally with training
Meet the Spaniel!
Key Facts
Lifespan: | 12 – 14 years |
Weight: | 18 – 25kg |
Height: | 46 – 56cm |
Colours: | Black and white, liver and white or either of these with tan markings |
Size: | Medium |
UK Kennel Club Groups: | Gundog |
Ratings
Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
Exercise needs: | 5/5 |
Easy to train: | 5/5 |
Tolerates being alone: | 1/5 |
Likes other pets: | 5/5 |
Energy level: | 5/5 |
Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
Shedding: | 3/5 |

Personality
Naturally a busy, extroverted type, the Springer Spaniel is friendly, quick to learn and eager to please. Show varieties can be less active and appear calmer than working types, however all retain the desire to find items and carry objects in their mouths.
If their needs are understood and met, they make great companion dogs for the active outdoor family.

History and Origins
Country of Origin: England
The Springer Spaniel name comes from their action in the field, ‘springing’ game out of cover toward waiting guns, however the English Springer Spaniel also has a long history of retrieving shot game, making this an ever popular working breed, able to turn a paw to multiple tasks and with the required stamina and athleticism to see them through a long working day.
Originally derived from similar breeds in Spain, the English Springer Spaniel remains closest to the ‘Land Spaniel’ prototype which eventually became refined and split into the other popular British Spaniel breeds.

Did You Know?
- Springer and Cocker Spaniels used to be the same breed, occurring in the same litters, with the larger puppies being the Springers and the smaller being the Cockers. They were split into separately recognised breeds in 1892 by the Kennel Club of Great Britain.
- Although originating from the ‘Land Spaniels’ Springer Spaniels are known for their love of water, and love a good swim or just a splash in a puddle or even their own water bowl.
- Despite the name ‘Springer Spaniel’ only being given later on, there are painting with dogs that resemble the breed in the 16th century.
- English Springer Spaniels have won the third most Best in Show awards at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with an impressive 6 titles.
- They’re a favourite with celebrities including George W. Bush, Princess Grace and Oprah Winfrey.