Below is a video that the South Western Ontario Spaniel Club, in conjunction with Ontario Angler

and Hunter Television, have created that highlights the qualities of the Field Bred English Springer

Spaniel.

Skills of the Field Spaniel

A Field Spaniel is foremost an upland flushing dog. There are several skills that breeders train the

dog to perform for their occupation.

·         Retrieve to Hand Most hunters and all hunt test or field trial judges require that a dog deliver

a bird to hand, meaning that a dog will hold the bird until told to give it to the hunter directly.

·         Soft Mouth Springers are taught to deliver game with a soft mouth, meaning he does not

puncture it with his teeth. The game should always be fit for the table. If a springer damages the

bird, it may be hard-mouthed. This is a serious fault, but it can be difficult to determine whether it

may have been genetic or caused by poor training methods. Breeders generally avoid using any

springer that is hard-mouthed.

·         Quarter A flushing spaniel's primary role is often as an upland flushing dog. Dogs must work

in a zig-zag pattern in front of the hunter seeking upland game birds. The dog is taught to stay

within gun range to avoid flushing a bird outside shooting distance. This pattern is one of the

primary criteria used to judge a dog in a field trial.

·         Scenting Having the ability to scent game is of vital importance to the hunter. A springer

shouldhave a good nose in both wet and dry conditions. A dog with a good nose will learn to use

the wind as it quests for game, ever adjusting its pattern according to the nuances of the wind.

·         Flushing The springer should have a positive flush. It should not hesitate or point when

encountering game. Some field trial dogs will often get airborne during a flush. This is exciting to

watch but is not necessary to win. Most hunters prefer that their dog not flush in that style, as it

can present a risk to the dog.

·         Hup This is the traditional command to sit and stay. When hupped the dog can be given

direction called by the handler. The ability to hup a dog actively working a running bird allows the

handler and any gunners to keep up without having to run.

·         Follow Hand Signals Upland hunting involves pursuing wild game in its native habitat. Gun

dogs must investigate likely covers for upland game birds. The dog must be responsive to hand

signals for the hunter to be able to direct the dog into areas of particular interest.

·         Steady When hunting upland birds, a flushing dog should be steady to wing and shot,

meaning that he sits when a bird rises or a gun is fired. He does this to mark the fall and to avoid

flushing other birds when pursuing a missed bird.

·         Blind Retrieve An adequately trained and experienced working springer can be expected to

use all of the aforementioned attributes to be conducted by hand, whistle and command to a

position whereby an unmarked lost game bird can be picked and retrieved to hand.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

English Springer Spaniel Care

If you lead a quiet and sedentary lifestyle, then the English Springer Spaniel wouldn't be the best choice

of dog for you.

If you're looking for a dog that loves to be in the company of humans and dogs alike, is smart and has

bundles of energy to join you on long hikes and adventures, then you could be a perfect match.

A quick leash walk around the block before you head to work isn't enough for this dog, and it could lead

to behavioral problems as a result of boredom. They also thrive in company and are best suited to a

household where there will be someone around most of the day. They can be prone to separation

anxiety.

If you enjoy hiking, running or cycling, then your ESS will be thrilled to accompany you. They're

enthusiastic canicross competitors and often excel in agility, flyball, scent work trials and

other competitive dog sports.

They love to be busy, have a job to do, and are extremely eager to please. This means they respond very

well to reward-based training methods. They're very smart and pick up commands quickly.

Clear direction and patience can be needed sometimes, as their enthusiasm can mean they try to take

things a little fast and they can be prone to overexcitement. You may have to work on mastering things

like jumping up, excitement barking, leash manners, especially around other dogs, and even toilet

training, as they can be prone to piddling if over-excited.

English Springer Spaniels are often a popular choice for families with children or other dogs. They're

very affectionate and are often regarded as 'velcro dogs', that always want to be close to their human

companions.

Their natural excitement can mean they could be a bit boisterous for very young children, and you may

need to work on encouraging them to keep all four paws on the floor, and even use management

techniques like baby gates when you can't be there to supervise.

Their hunting background means they may want to chase small furries and care would need to be

taken if you have small pets in the same household. You'll likely have to work on getting a rock-solid

recall too.

An English Springer Spaniel won't have extremely intensive grooming requirements. The Bench or Show

types may require extra brushing as their coat tends to be heavier.

They're moderate shedders, and a good weekly brush will help to keep loose hairs at bay and the coat in

healthy condition. They can get mats around their ears and on their feathering more easily, and you

should always pay extra attention to these areas when brushing.

Because of their pendulous ears, you should check these regularly to make sure they aren't becoming

dirty, and this is especially true if they enjoy swimming. Dirt and water can get trapped more easily in

their low hanging ears, and this can lead to ear infections if they aren't kept clean and dry.

Diet and Nutrition

As with any dog, you should feed your English Springer Spaniel a high-quality and properly portion-

controlled diet. If they're a particularly active dog, you may find they need a diet specifically formulated

for working or high-energy breeds. This will ensure they're getting enough nutrients and proteins to help

them retain a healthy body weight.

Pros

• Smart and eager to please

• Affectionate with people and other dogs

• Can be prone to separation anxiety

Cons

• Needs a lot of exercise and stimulation

• Can be over-excitable

• Can have a high prey drive

Breed Overview

·         HEIGHT: 19 to 20 inches

·         WEIGHT: 40 to 53 pounds

·         PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Medium-size compact body protected by a dense, medium-length

coat adorned with feathering, a longer fringe of hair on the ears, chest, legs, and belly; gentle

facial expression, drop ears, and merry wagging docked tail.