Grooming
Here are grooming tips to keep in mind for your English Springer Spaniel:
Brushing: The English Springer Spaniel breed has a long, double coat that’s water-resistant. Plan on brushing their coats at least three times every week. These pups shed moderately, and twice a year (spring and fall), they’ll up their shedding game. So, plan on brushing them daily during shedding season. To brush your pup, start with a slicker brush to remove the dead hair, then follow with a pin brush to gently work out any tangles. If you think it’s easier to give this pup a shave, think again. Shaving damages the coat, and it may not grow back properly. It might seem counterintuitive, but their double coat helps them regulate their body temperature in both cold and hot weather. You or a groomer can give their coats a haircut to keep their coat trimmed and looking nice. (But they don’t need anything dramatic.)
Ear cleaning: While you’re brushing your pup, check their ears for signs of infection (redness, swelling). If you notice anything, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean dog ears.
Bathing: What about bathtime? You can rejoice! Springers may only need a bath every-other-month, depending on how much they run around outside. They may need a bath in between if they’ve played in the mud.
Nail trimming: Trim your pup’s nails once a month. (If they’re active, you may need to trim them less often.) You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you hear their nails clicking on hard surfaces.
Dental care: Lastly, it’s recommended to brush your pup’s teeth daily to stop plaque and tartar from building up. Periodontal disease can lead to a loss of teeth and even more serious issues like organ failure. In addition to regular daily or weekly brushings at home, be sure to take your dog to the vet for professional dental cleanings once per year.
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Training
As you train your English Springer Spaniel puppy, it’s important to remember that Springers love to please their people, and they really do want to make you happy. But—these pups are smart, independent and want to hunt. Consistency in training (for example, not taking days off as well as sticking to the same verbal cue for things like stay and not switching it up to another word like “wait”) and patience (taking breaks before you both get frustrated) are key.
One of the most important aspects of training is early socialization. These pups are friendly, and you want to create as many positive experiences as you can while they’re puppies. Enroll your English Springer Spaniel puppy in puppy school; they’ll learn how to play nicely with other puppies and get to meet new adults. (And you may pick up a few new friends for puppy playdates. Win, win!)
Teach your pup basic commands like sit, stay and come and how to walk nicely on a leash. These commands are important for their safety. But even though your pup may know these commands and respond well in enclosed environments, like your backyard, never ever trust your pup off-leash when out in the open (unless you’re hunting, obvi). These dogs were bred to hunt (especially of birds), and they’ll take off in hot pursuit, regardless of how loudly you call them back. For their own safety (and quite frankly, your sanity), always keep them on a leash when you’re not in a fenced area.
Springers need a confident and calm trainer, which is why they often do best with an experienced pup parent. If you’re a newbie who’s willing to put in the time and effort (and maybe seek the help of a certified dog trainer to teach you the ropes), a Springer Spaniel may be a good pup for you.
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Diet
English Springer Spaniels thrive on high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to choose a formula that fits their age and stage in life (puppy, adult, senior) and look for the statement that says it meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
Maintaining the proper weight for your Spaniel is crucial to their health and well-being; even an extra pound or two can make a difference. As you’re planning mealtimes, don’t forget all the treats you give as part of training or just because you love your pup. Those calories count, too! If you see your pup beginning to pack on the pounds, chat with your vet. They’re in the best position to help you put together a meal and exercise plan to shed the weight and still maintain your pup’s nutritional needs.
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Exercise
English Springer Spaniels are high-energy dogs who need at least an hour (if not more) of exercise every day. This includes activities like walks, jogs or long hikes. If you’re up for a little competition, engage their brains and their bodies and get them involved in dog sports, like agility or obedience. Play to their natural hunting ability with tracking events. (You’ll both love it!) When playing indoors, be sure to have lots of puzzle games to keep them from getting bored. A bored pup will create their own entertainment, and for the sake of your favorite pair of shoes, keep them busy!
And remember, unless you’re hunting with your pup, don’t let your dog off-leash outside of a fenced yard. They’ll catch sight of a bird or other animal and will give chase (these pups are built for bursts of speed), and they won’t pay attention as they cross the street or hear you calling for them to come back until they’ve ended their chase.
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Environment
English Springer Spaniels dream of a home with lots of land where they can play and explore with their family. They may do OK in small homes and apartments if you have access to enclosed outdoor spaces where you can let them play. They do well with active single people or families, but they do need you to be home with them for most of the day. If you are gone often, this may not be the best dog for you.
Springers love playing with kids, and because they’re so very playful, they will need to be supervised around small kids and babies. (They may accidentally knock tiny tots over.) But these loveable pooches are excellent playmates for older kids.
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