Best Dog Diet

What’s the ideal diet for your dog?

Discover more about the history of your dog’s breed, its temperament, appearance and diet

Border Terrier Diet

Bull Terrier Diet

Bulldog Diet

Boxer Diet

Cavalier Spaniel Diet

Cocker Spaniel Diet

German Shepherd Diet

Golden Retriever Diet

Labrador Retriever Diet

Lhasa Apso Diet

Miniature Schnauzer Diet

Pug Diet

Shih Tzu Diet

Springer Spaniel Diet

Staffie Diet

Westie Diet

Whippet Diet

YorkshireTerrier Diet

Copyright 2010 Best Dog Diet

Springer Spaniel Diet

Springer spaniels are gun dogs with a huge appetite for life. Bred to flush or ‘spring’ game such as partridge, rabbit, quail and pheasant they are natural working dogs with plenty of energy.

The spaniel is thought to have originated from Spain and been developed in England for specific hunting activities. The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a close relative as is the cocker spaniel. Until the beginning of the 20th Century a cocker and a springer could come from the same litter (the smaller dog would be a cocker, the larger a springer).

The amount and type of food will depend on the individual dog. A complete and balanced diet is recommended to include poultry and natural meat and bone. If not exercised sufficiently a springer spaniel can easily put on weight.

Springer Spaniel Temperament

Springer spaniels are working dogs with bundles of energy and affection. Springers are eager to please and willing to obey which makes them ideal family pets, however, Rage Syndrome has been associated with the Show Springer Spaniel breed.

Springer spaniels are highly intelligent and can be trained to understand a significant number of commands. They are bigger than their immediate relatives in the spaniel family and require moderate amounts of activity to keep them attentive and focused.  

Springer spaniel Appearance

The springer spaniel is a compact and sturdy dog. The UK Kennel Club standards ideal height is 51 cms for a male and 43-48 cms for a female. Weight from 16-25 kgs.

There are two lines of Springer spaniels the ‘Field’ or ‘Working’ springer spaniel and the ‘Show’ springer spaniel. Both are closely related to the Cocker Spaniel and the Welsh Springer Spaniel. Working springers tend to have flatter skulls and shorter ears compared to the show type.

The springer spaniel can appear in a wide variety of colours and can be solid-coloured, parti-coloured or have roan type markings.

A springer’s coat is flat and silky in texture. Its tail is well-feathered and proportionate to body size. Historically the tail was docked to aid the working springer. The docked tail would always be long enough to ensure a certain merry action.

Springer spaniels are hardy, sporty animals with well-developed chests and toned muscular legs. Slightly larger than the cocker, they are endurance dogs designed to run all day. As with cockers they retain a square jaw, slightly smaller lobular ears, strong sleek shoulders and full eyes.

Springer Spaniel Facts

Springer Spaniel History

Springer spaniels evolved from the Land Spaniel. The Spaniel is thought to have originated from Spain by definition.

The springer spaniel appears in English literature in works by Chaucer and Shakespeare amongst others and is thought to have arrived in England as early as 54-55 BC. The breed has always been used for hunting purposes, originally driving game into nets.

Springer spaniels are now commonly used by the police, military and rescue services for their excellent sense of smell and all round agility and robustness.

Springer Spaniel Known Disorders

Springer spaniels are prone to suffer from eye disorders, heart problems and kidney disorders.