Bred to work as bird dogs, English Springer Spaniels are tireless in the field but happy to relax with you at the end of a long day’s hunt. Their soulful, trusting eyes are a hallmark of the breed as are their long, lush ears. Standing 19 to 20 inches tall, these rugged yet loving dogs were bred to work closely with people making them terrific companions who are eager to join you in any activity. Cherished for their duality, great in the field and lovable at home, these dogs have a long history of working alongside their humans.
Early Spaniels in England
There are many varieties of spaniels today. But back before these dogs were recognized as distinct breeds, dogs of this type were simply known as “Spaniels.” Spaniels were found in Britain for centuries, and in fact, they’re mentioned by name as far back as 300 A.D. in an ancient law in Wales. Some believe the Spaniel was originally from Spain and then brought to ancient Britain by the Roman legions. Whatever the case, these dogs have been used to hunt for hundreds of years.
By the 16th and 17th centuries, dogs that look like today’s English Springer Spaniel can be found in paintings and prints. These dogs were used for hunting. They would flush (or spring) birds and mammals from their cover, so the hunter could capture them. In the beginning, hunters used nets, hawks, bows, or coursing hounds to bag their quarry. But in the 17th century, the wheel-lock firearm was invented which revolutionized hunting. Thankfully, Spaniels were just as adept with this new approach and earned a reputation as enthusiastic and reliable gundogs.
The first pure line of English Springer Spaniels wasn’t developed until around 1800 in Shropshire, England. At this time, dogs from the same litter were given different names and jobs. The smaller dogs were called “cockers,” since they hunted woodcock, a type of shorebird. And the larger littermates were called “springers,” as they were used to spring game. At the earliest British dog shows in the 1870s, English Springer Spaniels and Welsh Springer Spaniels were shown as the same breed. But in 1902, the Kennel Club in England recognized the breeds as distinct, and the name Springer stuck.
English Springer Spaniels Come to North America
Not long after, in 1910, the American Kennel Club registered their first English Springer Spaniel. Then in 1924, when the dogs were just becoming popular in the United States, the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association (ESSFTA) was formed. Back then, dogs would go from heavy field work one day to conformation events the next. That’s because the founders of the ESSTFA wanted to emphasize field trials in the development of the breed and its standard. They held the first ever English Springer Spaniel field trial on Fishers Island in October 1924. The dogs were tested over challenging terrain on a series of rigorous hunting competitions. Then, they participated in a benched conformation show.
Early breeders of English Springer Spaniels and those who imported them from England, were particular about maintaining the dog’s hunting abilities. The dogs were considered dual-purpose – working dogs and show dogs. Although today’s breeders might emphasize field skills over conformation or vice versa, the true beauty of the English Springer Spaniel can be found in their original purpose as a gundog. The ESSFTA, the parent club for the breed, continues to promote English Springer Spaniels in many performance and companion dog sports.
Continuing the Hunting Tradition
Today, the English Springer Spaniel is ranked in the top 30 most popular breeds registered with the AKC. And for people who hunt with their English Springer Spaniels, the job is the same as it was all those years ago. The dog is used to find game birds in high grass or bramble then to flush them out before pointing and retrieving the downed bird. According to Liz Westring, ESSFTA Bench Vice President, English Springer Spaniels are a top choice of pheasant hunters. “Many Springer owners are avid sportspersons who continue the hunting tradition with their dogs.”
In addition, she says English Springer Spaniels are intelligent, eager to please, and excel at a wide variety of field and performance events. In fact, the breed club has members who participate in all kinds of dog sports. “For anyone who wants a great family dog combined with a willing working partner, Springers are an ideal choice.”
These dogs will work tirelessly all day in the field, but that doesn’t mean they can’t relax at home when the job is done. Robin Novack is a professional handler who has been breeding English Springer Spaniels for 40 years, and she says that although they have at times been characterized as hyper dogs that never stop moving, most are active companions and contented lapdogs. “Owners in multi-dog households often have several Springers sprawled across their laps!”
Novack bred her first litter of English Springer Spaniels when she was just 14, and she’s adored them ever since. She says living with one means having a constant companion. “Springers are loving family pets, playful, and very attached to their people. Since they were bred to work closely with hunters, it’s no surprise that they like to be close to their owners at all times.”