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History
The English Springer Spaniel is the oldest and best-established sporting gun dog. It is the taproot of all the sporting land spaniels (except the Clumber Spaniel). The name undoubtedly comes from his actions afield where he springs at his quarry and flushes it for the net, falcon or greyhound. Today he is used as a flusher and retriever. The breed's popularity has given way to the Cocker, but still remains in the top 20 most popular breeds of dogs. He used to be an all-rounder regarding his ability afield. Unfortunately, in recent years, the breed's versatility has diminished and there has developed a field type and a bench type, and neither is competitive in the others arena.
The English Springer Spaniel was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1932.
General Appearance
There are two distinct types and they vary considerably in their appearance. The field type is a smaller, finer-boned dog with a longer body and usually a longer-docked tail. The field type, for practical reasons, has a shorter coat. Any recognized spaniel color. The ears are fairly long and should reach to the tip of the nose. The size is about 20 inches at the shoulders and weight is about 50 pounds.
Characteristics
Usually an affectionate, quick-learning dog. Depending on the purpose, field or bench types, the personality can vary. Caution: the breed can be subject to Rage Syndrome.
Head and Skull
The skull should be of medium length and fairly broad, slightly rounded. The head should be impressive without being heavy. Its beauty lies in a combination of strength and refinement. The foreface is approximately the same length as the skull. When viewed from above, the muzzle should be approximately half the width of the skull. Rising from the foreface there is a brow or stop divided by a fluting between the eyes. The upper lip to come down full and rather square to cover the line of the lower jaw.
TEETH-A full complement of strong, white teeth meets in a scissors bite.
EYES-Medium size, set rather far apart. The color of the iris in harmony with the color of the coat, preferably a dark hazel in liver dogs and black or deep brown in white dogs. The lids are to be tight with little or no haw.
NOSE-Nostrils, well open and broad, liver or black, depending on the color of the coat.
EARS-The leathers should be long enough to reach to the tip of the nose, thin, fairly wide and hanging close to the head.
Neck
To be moderately long, muscular, slightly arched at the crest, gradually blending Into the sloping shoulders.
Forequarters
The shoulder blades slope back to form an angle with the upper arm of approximately 90 degrees.
FORELEGS-The forelegs should be straight and nicely feathered. Elbows close, with free action from the shoulders. Strong, flexible pasterns.
Body
The length of the backline, from the top of the shoulders to the root of the tail, is approximately equal to the dog's height, measured at the shoulder. The body to be strong, compact; the chest deep, but not so wide or round as to interfere with the action of the front legs. The brisket to be sufficiently developed to reach to the elbows. The back is to be straight and strong, with no arch over loins. Very little tuck-up.
Hindquarters
The hips are nicely rounded, blending smoothly into the hind legs, and well developed. The hip joints set fairly wide apart.
HIND LEGS-The stifles joint strong and moderately bent. The hock joint somewhat rounded and moderately angulated. The leg from the hock joint to foot pad, short and strong with good bone. When viewed from the rear should be straight and parallel whether standing or in motion.
Feet
The feet are round, or slightly oval, compact, well arched, medium size with thick pads; well feathered between the toes. Excess hair to be removed to show the natural shape and size of the foot.
Tail
Carriage should be nearly horizontal. Length varies regarding field or bench type. A merry tail action is characteristic.
Coat
On his ears, chest, legs and belly, the Springer is nicely furnished with a fringe of feathering. On his head, front legs and below the hocks on front of hind legs, the hair is short and fine. The body coat is flat or wavy of medium length, sufficiently dense to protect from water, the habitat and weather.
Color
May be: liver or black with white markings; liver and white (or black and white) with tan markings; blue or liver roan; or predominately white with tan, black or liver markings.
Size and Weight
Ideal heights are: dogs, 20 inches; bitches, 19 inches. Weight ranges from 49 to 55 pounds, depending on the individual dog's dimensions.
Gait
Prerequisite to good movement is balance of the front and rear assemblies. His forelegs should swing forward from the shoulder, throwing the feet well forward in an easy and free manner. His hocks should drive well under his body, following in a line with the forelegs with no tendency for the fee to cross over or interfere with each other. At slow movements, many Springers have a pacing stride typical of the breed.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.
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