English Springer spaniel
The exact country of origin of the English Springer Spaniel is
unknown, but as the breed’s name suggests, many historians believe that
they were likely to have originated in Spain. The English Springer
spaniels have been appearing in writings around 1400 and early paintings
in 1600. They are considered the founders of all English hunting
spaniels. During the renaissance, these canines were considered the most
ideal companion for hunters in England. Its popularity reached the
United States by the start of 1700.
The Cocker Spaniels and English Springer Spaniels were originally born
in the same litters with the same purpose – to serve as hunting dogs.
The smaller canines hunted woodcock and ultimately became the “Cockers,”
while the larger ones were used to “spring” game and was called the
Springer Spaniels. It was only until 1800 did these dogs were separated
into two groups. All dogs that weighed up to 25 pounds were called
Cocking Spaniels or Cockers, while other dogs that weighed more than 25
pounds were categorized as English Springer’s or Field Spaniels. By
1812, various strains of the English Springer spaniels were being bred,
particularly in Norfolk with black & white or liver & white Spaniels and
in Shropshire with curly coats. In 1902, the Kennel Club recognized the
English Springer Spaniel as a distinct breed, separating them from the
English Cockers. By 1924, this breed became even more popular in North
America after the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association was
formed and held field trials for the first time. In mid-20th century,
the English Springer Spaniel breed began to divide into two lines, known
as the “Working English Springer Spaniel” and the “Show English Springer
Spaniel.” Recently, the English and Welsh Spaniels have been used to
form a new breed of hunting dogs called “Sprocker Spaniel” or “Springer
X English Cocker Spaniel,” which is characterized by the same traits of
the pure Springers, but without the bad genes responsible for inherited
diseases. APPEARANCE: Show-bred and Field-bred English Springer
Spaniels
The English Springer Spaniel is known for having the most differences
between its show and working (field) lines compared to other breeds. In
fact, when you compare two dogs from these two lines, they may appear to
be of different breeds. However, the show bred ESS and field-bred ESS
are registered together. The gene pools of the working-breed and
show-bred English Springer spaniels are segregated that they cannot
switch roles. Meaning, the show dog usually doesn’t have the stamina or
speed to become successful in a field trial, while the field-bred ESS
has no chance in winning in a competitive dog show. The differences in
their genes also reflect the appearance of the show-bred and working
bred English Springer spaniels. Below are the characteristics of each
line:
- Show-bred English Springer spaniel – The show-bred ESS
are often bigger and heavier with thick bones. The shapes of their
head, muzzle and ear set are slightly different compared to the
working bred. Usually more aesthetically pleasing with dangling
flews, more pendant ears and dewlaps, this ESS line were mainly bred
for their good looks. They commonly a dark blanket, less ticking and
longer fur. For countries that allow docking, the tails of show-bred
ESS are often docked to a short stub.
- Field-bred English Springer spaniel – Field-bred or
working ESS tend to have coarser and short coats, be almost
completely white and more heavily freckled. If their tails are
docked, field-bred ESS are left with a flag on the end, which can
help their owners when hunting. The ears of working English Springer
spaniels are less pendulous and they generally have a more feral
look. The most distinct characteristic of field-bred ESS is they are
mostly longer than taller.
Generally, both lines of the English Springer spaniel are compact
and well-proportioned with a sturdy build, strong legs and nicely
balanced muscular parts. They are characterized by their long
drooping ears, friendly wagging tails, soft gentle expression and
proud carriage. Males measure about 18 to 20 inches at the withers
and weigh in between 50 and 55 pounds. Females come around 17 to 19
long and about 35 to 45 pounds heavy. Working-bred ESS can be
lighter because of their finer bone.
The coat is medium to long, flat or wavy and feathered, which may
come in black, dark brown or liver with white markings. Some come
with predominantly white coats with liver or black markings, while
other English springer spaniels may be tricolor – black and white
(or white and liver) with tan markings found under the tail, inside
the ears and on the eyebrows and cheeks. Any white portions of the
coat usually come with ticking (freckles). The colors of their
medium-sized eyes depend on the color of the coat, but are often
either brown or hazel.
The feet of English springer spaniels should be compact and the
length of their heads should be about the same as the length of
their necks. The ears are set in line with the eyes. However, these
ears should reach to the top of the nose when pulled forward. In
addition, with the ESS’s powerful jaw, the teeth should meet in a
scissors bite. |
