Van Wessem - English Springer Spaniel: a Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog

Physical Characteristics of the
English Springer Spaniel

(from The American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Impressive without being heavy. Viewed in profile, the head appears approximately the same length as the neck and blends with the body in substance. The cheeks are flat, and the face is well-chiseled under the eyes.

Ears: Long and fairly wide, hanging close to the cheeks with no tendency to stand up or out. Correct ear set is on a level with the eye and not too far back on the skull.

Eyes: Of medium size and oval in shape, set rather well-apart and fairly deep in their sockets. The color of the iris harmonizes with the color of the coat.

Neck: Moderately long, muscular, clean and slightly arched at the crest. It blends gradually and smoothly into sloping shoulders.

Muzzle: Approximately the same length as the skull and one half the width of the skull. Viewed in profile, the toplines of the skull and muzzle lie in approximately parallel planes.

Nose: Fully-pigmented, liver or black in color, depending on the color of the coat. The nostrils are well-opened and broad.

Forequarters: The shoulder blades are flat and fairly close together at the tips, molding smoothly into the contour of the body. Elbows lie close to the body. Forelegs are straight with the same degree of size continuing to the foot. Feet are round or slightly oval. They are compact and well-arched, of medium size.

Body: Short-coupled, strong and compact. The chest is deep, reaching the level of the elbows, with well-developed forechest. The back is straight, strong and essentially level. Hips are nicely-rounded, blending smoothly into the hind legs. The croup slopes gently to the set of the tail.

Tail: Carried horizontally or slightly elevated and displays a characteristic lively, merry action, particularly when the dog is on game.

Hindquarters: Thighs are broad and muscular. Stifle joints are strong. Hock joints are somewhat rounded, not small and sharp in contour. Rear pasterns are short and strong, with good bone. Feet are the same as in front, except that they are smaller and often more compact.

Coat:. On the body, the outer coat is of medium length, flat or wavy, and is easily distinguishable from the undercoat, which is short, soft and dense.

Color: (1) Black or liver with white markings or predominantly white with black or liver markings; (2) Blue or liver roan; (3) Tricolor: black and white or liver and white with tan markings, usually found on eyebrows, cheeks, inside of ears and under the tail.

Size: Ideal height at the shoulder for dogs is 20 inches; for bitches, it is 19 inches.

Contents

Trace the ancient beginnings of the English Springer Spaniel as a working gun dog and follow its spread in popularity around the world as a companion dog, show dog, competition dog and ambassador of canine good will.

Friendly, happy and biddable: find out about the traits that make the English Springer Spaniel a unique and popular choice for a companion dog. Here are the personality and physical traits of the English Springer Spaniel that all new owners should understand.

Learn the requirements of a well-bred English Springer Spaniel by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Be advised about choosing a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, typical puppy. Understand the responsibilities of ownership, including home preparation, acclimatization, the vet and prevention of common puppy problems.

Enter into a sensible discussion of dietary and feeding considerations, exercise, grooming, traveling and identification of your dog. This chapter discusses English Springer Spaniel care for all stages of development.

By Charlotte Schwartz

Be informed about the importance of training your English Springer Spaniel from the basics of house-training and understanding the development of a young dog to executing basic obedience commands (sit, stay, down, etc.).

Discover how to select a qualified veterinarian and care for your dog at all stages of life. Topics include vaccination scheduling, skin problems, dealing with external and internal parasites and the specific health problems of the breed.

Recognize the signs of an aging dog, both behavioral and medical; implement a senior-care program with your veterinarian and become comfortable with making the final decisions and arrangements for your senior English Springer Spaniel.

Experience the dog show world, including different types of shows and the making up of a champion. Go beyond the conformation ring to field trials, obedience trials and agility trials, and more.