What age do springer spaniels get old?

Its overall hunting endurance – even in harsh conditions – makes this a highly revered breed which is loved all around the world. The English Springer Spaniel has a general lifespan of between 10 and 15 years.

With proper care, there is no reason why your English Springer Spaniel cannot live for the full fifteen years or more. Keeping your dog healthy, well-fed and exercised is a sure-fire way to ensure they enjoy the longest and happiest lives possible.

English Springer Spaniel Health Problems

As with any breed of dog, an English Springer Spaniel comes with a whole range of possible health problems, with some being more likely to occur in this particular breed of spaniel.

Unfortunately, this breed of dog is more prone than most others to major health problems. Some of the more common and dangerous health problems which occur in English Springer Spaniels are –

• Elbow dysplasia where multiple developmental abnormalities occur within the dog’s elbow joints such as the growth of cartilage. Surgical intervention is typically required to treat this, although it can be helped with physiotherapy.

• Otitis externa is another health condition where the dog’s ear canal becomes chronically inflamed and wax begins to build up. Gradually, excessive fibrous tissue will build up and can narrow the dog’s ear canal.

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English Springer Spaniels are also prone to milder ailments, such as –

• Retinal dysplasia where the dog’s eye(s) become inflamed and swollen. It is a non-progressive disease which can be caused by viral infections and can be cured with proper treatment.

Caring for an English Springer Spaniel

Two characteristics of the English Springer Spaniel are their big, floppy ears and their shaggy coat.

In fact, its coat is one of the many reasons it is a popular family pet. It is also something which needs to be properly looked after. An English Springer Spaniel needs to be combed and brushed at least once or twice per week.

The coat should also be professionally treated and trimmed every three-or-so months. Doing this will ensure that the coat remains lustrous and healthy for longer.

In terms of non-physical care, you should give your English Springer Spaniel plenty of room to run, play and explore; they are a curious breed which requires a large amount of space to be physically active.

The first description of an English Springer Spaniel came from Dr. John Caius in 1576 but the breeds of Spaniels were not separated by function until 1801. According to the AKC, when the Spaniel was brought to England from Spain, they divided them between two types: land and water Spaniels. Americans discovered the Spaniel in the 1700s, started the American Spaniel Club in 1880, and they separated the breeds into the Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels by size. 

The Cocker Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel were both born of the same litter (land Spaniels) but they were separated by size to perform different duties. The smaller Cocker Spaniels would hunt the woodcock. Once found, the larger English Springer Spaniels would chase the woodcock so a trained hawk or falcon could bring them to the hunters. Later, the litter would be divided further and the largest would be called Setters. 

In the 19th century, more Spaniel breeds were developed, named after the areas they originated such as the Shropshire Spaniel and Norfolk Spaniel. Although the Spaniel club was started in 1899, it was not until 1910 that the American Kennel Club (AKC) acknowledged the breed. One of the most famous Springers was the Norfolk Spaniel, which was bred by the Duke of Norfolk and this type of Spaniel was named the Norfolk Spaniel because of this occurrence. They are friendly and energetic dogs that work hard and play harder so they need plenty of exercise every day. Although they like children, younger kids should be supervised. Also, they can become nuisance barkers if left alone too long with nothing to do.

The English Springer Spaniel is a medium sized dog with a medium to long length coat that may be flat or wavy. The body is compact with a docked tail, dangling ears, a gentle expression, and a friendly disposition. They have muscular and strong legs of medium size that give your dog a powerful, agile, and durable look. The oval shaped eyes are medium sized and match the color of your dog’s coat. Ears are separated widely with a broad, flat skull, divided by a groove in the middle between the eyes. The English Springer Spaniel’s muzzle is the same length as the skull and half the width, and the nose is the color of the coat as well. They have flattened cheeks, a squared mouth with full lips and strong teeth to carry game. English Springer Spaniels have a long, muscular neck, sloping shoulders, and a long and slightly elevated tail that is almost always moving. They have six color combinations, which include black and white; black and liver; blue roan; liver roan; black, white, and tan; and liver, white, and tan. Their double coat is designed for protection. The outer coat is the longer fur that provides the first line of defense from the elements and the undercoat is a soft dense fur that makes the English Springer Spaniel virtually waterproof. The thickness of the undercoat depends on the climate where you live as they can adapt to a warm or cold climate as well. Their coat is clean and glossy, giving your dog a healthy appearance.

The English Springer Spaniel is not hypoallergenic since they are constant shedders, although they do not shed too much. And while they are not major droolers, they are known to slobber just a bit. They are not smelly most of the time, but after a long day of hunting and jumping in water to retrieve birds, they may need a bath. You will need to brush your English Springer Spaniel at least once or twice a week with a hard bristle brush to keep the coat conditioned. Also, you may want to give your dog a bath at least once every few months or as needed. Keep an eye out for burs and thorns since your dog romps around in the brush a lot. They need plenty of physical and mental stimulation and appreciate a daily walk or trip to the dog park. If your English Springer Spaniel is left alone too long, barking can become a problem, especially if you live in an apartment or condominium, which is not recommended.

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