Best Gear for English Springer Spaniels
Springers are energetic, athletic sporting dogs prone to hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and ear infections from their long, pendulous ears. They have a moderate-length coat that needs regular grooming.
Weight
40-50 lbs
Height
19-20 in
Lifespan
12-14 yrs
Energy
Moderate
Shedding
Heavy
Trainability
Easy
Life with a English Springer Spaniel
Your springer's tail has never stopped moving in their entire life. Not once. It wags in their sleep. It wags at the vet. It wags at the car wash. The tail is a perpetual motion machine and you have stopped questioning it.
You will bring your springer to a lake thinking you'll let them wade a little. You will drive home with a completely soaked dog and a car that smells like retriever for the next three weeks.
Your springer has a 'Springer Spin' — the full-body happy explosion that happens when you pick up the leash, open the treat bag, or say their name with a slightly different inflection than usual.
The 'Sprong' — the spontaneous vertical leap of pure enthusiasm — will happen directly into your face at least once per week. You will see it coming and fail to move in time.
You will find your springer with their entire head inside a hedge, a bush, a ditch, or something worse. The nose is in charge. You are a bystander.
What Owners Say
“r/SpringerSpaniel's most shared wisdom: 'Your springer will be muddy. Your car will be muddy. Your house will occasionally be muddy. Make peace with this before you bring one home, because they will find water and dirt in places where you didn't think either existed.'”
Games English Springer Spaniels Actually Love
Flush and Retrieve Water Work
English Springer Spaniels were bred to spring birds from cover and retrieve them from water — this is the game they were made for. A floating bumper toy in
Cover Hunting in Long Grass
Let your springer work through tall grass, brush piles, or shrubs searching for a hidden toy or treat-scented cloth. The flush pattern — weaving in tight arcs ahead of you,
Scent Discrimination Tracking
Springers have exceptional scent ability. Set up scent discrimination tasks (different objects scented by different people) and ask them to identify a specific one by handler scent. This moves beyond
Top Picks for Your English Springer Spaniel
| Spec | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy | |||
PawBench Scoremethodology → | Nutrition 85 Ingredients 75 Palatability 82 Value 78 Owner Satisfaction 88 | Durability 94 Engagement 76 Safety 85 Value 88 Owner Satisfaction 89 | Durability 79 Comfort 91 Adjustability 79 Value 78 Owner Satisfaction 88 |
| Bag Size | 35 lb | — | — |
| Protein Source | Chicken | — | — |
| Life Stage | Adult | — | — |
| Grain-Free | No | — | — |
| Special Feature | Live probiotics, shredded blend texture | — | — |
| Material | — | Natural red rubber | 300D polyester with foam padding |
| Size | — | Large (dogs 30–65 lbs) | — |
| Chew Strength Rating | — | Power chewers | — |
| Best For | — | Stuffing, freezing, solo play | — |
| Dishwasher Safe | — | No (hand wash) | — |
| Weight | — | 8.8 oz | 5.6–9.5 oz depending on size |
| Size Range | — | — | XXS to XL (13–42 in chest) |
| Clip Type | — | — | Aluminum V-ring (front and back) |
| Closure | — | — | Two side-release buckles |
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Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
About the English Springer Spaniel
Origin & Build
- •Developed in England as a flushing and retrieving gun dog, with the breed's history stretching back centuries —
- •They weigh 40 to 50 pounds and stand 19 to 20 inches, with a solid, athletic build designed
- •Their moderate-length double coat features distinctive feathering and comes in liver/white or black/white, sometimes with tan points
Temperament
- •English Springer Spaniels are famously friendly and sociable, ranking among the most outgoing of all sporting breeds
- •They're highly trainable and love having a job, whether that's hunting, agility, or simply fetching a ball
- •They bond closely with their family and don't do well left alone for extended periods — a bored,
Exercise Needs
- •A minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous daily exercise keeps a Springer happy and sane
- •They love swimming, retrieving, hiking, and any activity that lets them use their nose — scent work games
- •Without adequate outlets, they become hyperactive indoors and may develop nuisance behaviors like excessive barking and counter-surfing
Health Watch
- •The top health concerns are hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), ear infections due to their long pendulous
- •Some field-bred Springers also experience exercise-induced collapse
- •Lifespan is typically 12 to 14 years with proper care and health screening
Gear Tips
- An adjustable Y-shaped harness accommodates the Springer's deep chest and athletic shoulders without restricting the natural gait they need for field work
- Stock up on ear cleaning solution and cotton balls — their long, heavy ears trap moisture after every swim or bath
- A high-quality slicker brush plus a dematting comb are essential. The feathering on ears, chest, and legs tangles easily, especially after outdoor
- A waterproof or water-resistant dog bed is a smart investment since Springers gravitate toward water and will happily track mud and moisture
- Use a floating retrieval bumper or water-safe fetch toy — Springers are natural swimmers and water retrieval is one of the best
- A snood or ear wrap during mealtimes keeps those long ears out of the food and water bowl, reducing mess and potential
Keep Them Happy
- Springers need at least ninety minutes of active daily exercise — a springer who's bouncing off walls inside is almost never naughty,
- Invest in spaniels sports: hunt tests, field trials, or working test classes channel their flushing and retrieving instinct into structured, rewarding challenges.
- Take full advantage of their nose — nose work, tracking, and scent classes are one of the most effective mental-burnout tools available
- Socialize early, train consistently, and stick with field-line bloodlines if you want a calmer temperament — show-line springers and field-line springers differ
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you prevent ear infections in English Springer Spaniels?
- Clean their ears at least twice a week with a veterinary-approved ear cleaning solution, and always dry them thoroughly after swimming or bathing. A snood can keep ears dry during meals and water play. Look for signs of redness, odor, or head shaking — catching
- What is the best harness for an English Springer Spaniel?
- A Y-shaped or front-clip harness that sits well on their deep, athletic chest works best. Avoid step-in harnesses that can restrict shoulder movement during running and swimming. Brands like Ruffwear and Hurtta make sport-oriented harnesses that fit the Springer build well.
- Do English Springer Spaniels shed a lot?
- They shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding during seasonal coat changes in spring and fall. Regular brushing two to three times per week manages loose hair effectively and prevents matting in the feathered areas. Professional grooming every six to eight weeks helps keep the coat
- Are English Springer Spaniels good family dogs?
- They're one of the best family sporting breeds, known for being patient and playful with children of all ages. Their friendly, outgoing temperament means they welcome visitors rather than guarding against them. Just make sure the family is active enough to meet their exercise demands