English Springer Spaniel Dog Breed

Posted by Jeanne on November 11, 2008

English Springer Spaniels are required to quest, find, and spring the game, and in such work have proved very successful. They are also of suitable size to be of use in retrieving. They require little training, are strong and hardy, smart and companionable.

• Skull – Should be of medium length, fairly broad and slightly rounded – with medium stop and well-chiseled eye sockets.
• Jaw – Should be of medium length, straight, square and deep muzzled; not in any way snipey; with good deep lips and well-developed nostrils.
• Eyes – Should be dark in color, well set in, and should be neither round nor prominent.
• Ears – Should be moderately long and set on in line with the eye and hanging close to the cheek. They should be well covered with fine feather, which should not be curly.
• Neck – Should be moderately long and muscular and free from throatiness.
• Shoulders – Should be long and sloping and well set back.
• The forelegs should be of good length, with ample straight clean flat bone and nicely feathered. The elbows should be set close to the body.
• Body – The chest should be deep and well developed, with plenty of heartroom but not too round and wide. Back of medium length, with long well sprung ribs, and strung muscular loins, straight or slightly arched and well coupled up.
• Hindquarters – Should be strong and muscular; wide and fully developed, with stifles moderately bent, and not twisted in or out.
• Feet – Should be round, and not too small, with strong, thick close pads.
• Stern – Should be set on low and never carried over the level of the back; nicely feathered and of lively motion.
• Coat – Should be flat or slightly waved; sufficiently dense to withstand the weather, and glossy and refined in texture.
• Color – Anything except red and white.
• Weight – Dogs average about 45 pounds. Bitches slightly less.
• In general, the springer being a medium-sized variety of spaniel, should be well balanced, symmetrical, compact, strong, and built for endurance. Excessive lowness and length should be penalized as interfering with the dog’s activity.