BarLee's Springers

The English Springer Spaniels

General Appearance

The English Springer Spaniel is a Medium-sized sporting dog, with a compact body and a docked tail. His cost is moderately long, with feathering on his legs, ears, chest, and brisket. His pendulous ears, soft gentle expression, study build and friendly wagging tail proclaim him unmistakably a member of the Spaniel family. He is above all a well-proportioned dog, free from exaggeration, nicely balanced in every part. His carriage is proud and upstanding, body deep, legs strong and muscular, with enough length to carry him with ease. Taking as a whole, the English Springer Spaniel suggests power, endurance and agility. He looks the apart of a dog that can go and keep going, under difficult hunting conditions. At his best, he is endowed with style, summitry, balance and enthusiasm and is every inch a sporting dog of distinct Spaniel character, combing beauty and utility.

Size, Proportion, Substance

The Springer is built to cover rough ground with agility and reasonable speed. His structure suggests the capacity for endurance. He is to be kept to medium size. Ideal height at the shoulder for dogs is 20 inches; for bitches, it is 19 inches. Those more than one inch under or over the breed ideal are to be faulted. A 20 inch dog, well proportioned and in good condition, will weigh approximately 50 pounds; a 19 inch bitch will weigh approximately 40 pounds. The length of the body (measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks) is slightly greater than the height at the withers. The dog too long in body, especially when long in the loin, tires easily and lacks the compact outline characteristic of the breed. A dog too short in body for the length of his legs, a condition that destroys balance and restricts gait, is equally undesirable. A Springer with correct substance appears well knit and sturdy with good bone; however, he is never coarse or ponderous.

Colors

All the following combinations of colors and markings are equally acceptable:

(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. Any white portion of the coat may be flecked with ticking. Off colors such as lemon, red or orange are not to place.

Temperament

The typical Springer is friendly, eager to please, quick to learn and willing to obey. Such traits are conducive to tractability, which is essential for appropriate handler control in the field. In the show ring, he should exhibit poise and attentiveness and permit himself to be examined by the judge without resentment or cringing. Aggression toward people and aggression toward other dogs is not in keeping with sporting dog character and purpose and is not acceptable. Excessive timidity, with due allowance for puppies and novice exhibits, is to be equally penalized.

Summary

In evaluating the English Springer Spaniel, the overall picture is a primary consideration. One should look for type, which includes general appearance and outline, and also for soundness, which includes movement and temperament. Inasmuch as the dog with a smooth easy gait must be reasonably sound and well balanced, he is to be highly regarded, however, not to the extent of forgiving him for not looking like an English Springer Spaniel. An atypical dog, too short or long in leg length or foreign in head or expression, may move well, but he is not to be preferred over a good all-round specimen that has a minor fault in movement. It must be remembered that the English Springer Spaniel is first and foremost a sporting dog of the Spaniel family, and he must look, behave and move in character.

ESSFTA: English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association

http://www.essfta.org/

Springer Facts

Facts about Springer Spaniels

English Springer Spaniels needs to be groomed and bathed no less then every 3 to 4 weeks and brushed once a week to keep the coat free of knots. Dogs in general; bring dirt in to the house, shed their coats, need teeth brushed, Nails clipped, ears cleaned, bathed, exercise, have human contact, and so on. Many people think it will be cute to have a puppy and not really think of the long-term relationship they will have owning a dog. Springers can live up to 10 to 15 years old. You must be willing to own a dog for that length of time or longer.

Following is a summary of the major hereditary disorders that can affect English Springer Spaniels.

ESSFTA: English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association

http://www.essfta.org/

Canine Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a developmental abnormality of the hip joints caused by laxity within the joint. Changes in bone size, shape and structure occur as the hips attempt to compensate for abnormal stresses on the joints. Dogs with hip dysplasia may exhibit lameness at some time in their lives. By the time affected dogs are two years of age, hip dysplasia is detectable by x-raying the hips.

Older dogs (4 to 10 years of age) with hip dysplasia may have a slow onset of painful arthritis. Treatment older dogs, medications can be used to reduce the arthritic pain. Surgical procedures are also available to limit pain and reconstruct the hip joint.

Your puppy’s chances of developing hip dysplasia are minimized if both parents have normal hips. Hip evaluations by board-certified veterinary radiologists also provide acceptable evidence of conscientious efforts by the breeder.

Hereditary Eye Disorders: The eyes of English Springer Spaniels are susceptible to a number of genetic-based disorders, some of which are present at birth and others that may develop at various times throughout life.

Retinal dysplasia is a developmental malformation of the retina. Affected puppies are born with the disorder. Most cases are mild; small folds and areas of retinal degeneration occur on the surface of the retina with no detectable loss in vision. Certified veterinary ophthalmologists diagnose these abnormalities when puppies are 7 to 12 weeks old. Retinal dysplasia should not affect a dog’s ability to function as a pet; however, affected Springers should not be bred.

Eyelid defects occasionally occur. Entropion is an inward folding of the lower eyelid that results in chronic irritation of the surface of the eye. It is usually observed within the first year of life. Entropion is treated through surgery.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (or P.R.A.) is a degeneration of the layers of the retina that are responsible for vision. The disease is progressive, eventually resulting in blindness. The onset in Springers is variable, but usually occurs between 2 and 6 years of age. The disorder is still considered rare; however, its incidence has increased in recent years. There is no pain or discomfort for the dog but, unfortunately, there is no treatment.

Seizure Disorders: Hereditary seizures are relatively rare in English Springer Spaniels. A familial pattern to the disorder exists in many pedigree lines, and some cases of seizures in English Springers are not controlled with treatment. Seizures usually begin before the age of five years. In many cases, seizures can be controlled with medication.

Skin Disorders: Typical signs of skin disease include scaliness, greasiness, itching, pyoderma (infection), and occasional hair loss. There are genetic as well as other factors involved in the development of skin diseases.

Seborrhea may be local, or may occur over large parts of the body. It usually results in scaly, thickened, itchy skin with a greasy feel and an associated odor. Secondary skin infections are not unusual. Treatment may include medicated baths, topical medications, and antibiotics.

Allergies occur in all breeds of dogs. Canine allergies usually cause symptoms in the skin. The primary symptom is itching, but seborrhea, skin infections and hair loss are also common. Inhaled pollens or house dust, certain types of food, fleabites and other materials can trigger allergic reactions in the skin. Symptoms may be seasonal. While there is no cure for allergies, treatment may involve eliminating contact with the offending allergen (a diet change, for example, if the allergy is to a food substance), treating to relieve itching and other symptoms, and allergy testing and injections.

Ear Infections are common in English Springer Spaniels due to their pendulous earflap, which decreases air circulation within the ear canal. The resulting environment contributes to bacterial and yeast infections. Most can be prevented with an ear care program that keeps the ears clean and dry. There are several very good ear care products available from your veterinarian. All Springers should get regular ear care. Acute and chronic infections should be treated by your veterinarian.

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) Deficiency: PFK is an enzyme vital to the ability of tissues to use sugar for energy. Some Springers have been recognized to have an inherited deficiency of this enzyme. Some dogs exhibit mild clinical signs that go unrecognized for years, while others can exhibit episodes of severe illness, including hyperventilation, muscle wasting, and fever. Testing is done by measuring the PFK enzyme through a blood sample.

Welcome to the Gallery of

Springer Colors & Markings

Each breeder and country, breed their dogs to the way they like seeing them as long as it is within the Standard. Below will be examples of the colors & markings.

The American Kennel Club considers Roans, Tickings, and Spotted Springers as Markings. You can check this out at www.akc.org or American Kennel Club - Breed Colors and Markings

For any Judge or Breeder to not place or pick a Springer because of its color or markings that are within the standard is wrong! Nor should a Judge/Breeder dismiss any Springer that comes from another country.

(A personal comment)

All Springer Breeders need stand up to this injustice that is being done to the breed. Then we would have a healthy balanced breed for tomorrow. That is why I have made it a point to show you the Springers from other Countries as well.

A few Breeders in the US are trying to make a difference by doing what is right. They too don't want to see these colored and marked Springers going extinct.

What is the reason to have these Springer colors and markings in the breed standard if we dismiss them? I love this breed to much to watch them disappear. The most saddest thing is when you talk to a Springer Breeder and they themselves don't even know that the Roans are recognized in the breed Standard! I am sorry if this sounds preachy, but I cannot change how I feel when this is very importune to the breeds well-being. This is my feelings and opinions. Thank you - Barbara