DON'T BUY AN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL!
Presented by Arlene Blum
I have adapted and re-written portions of DON'T BUY A BOUVIER! (Pam Green, 1992) to bring you "DON'T BUY AN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL!" I have added some photos that I took of our Springer 'Dillon', my own graphics, and some links to pages about ESS health issues. Thanks Pam for all your rescue efforts!
Pam's original article, written many years ago, has become a classic in Bouvier circles. It has been reprinted many times by clubs and web-site owners to use for the education of prospective Bouvier owners. Pam gives her permission freely to all who wish to reprint and distribute it in hopes of saving innocent dogs from neglect and abandonment by those who should never have acquired them in the first place.
I have adapted and re-written portions of DON'T BUY A BOUVIER! (Pam Green, 1992) to bring you "DON'T BUY AN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL!" I have added some photos that I took of our Springer 'Dillon', my own graphics, and some links to pages about ESS health issues. Thanks Pam for all your rescue efforts!
Pam's original article, written many years ago, has become a classic in Bouvier circles. It has been reprinted many times by clubs and web-site owners to use for the education of prospective Bouvier owners. Pam gives her permission freely to all who wish to reprint and distribute it in hopes of saving innocent dogs from neglect and abandonment by those who should never have acquired them in the first place.
DON'T BUY AN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL!Part One
Interested in buying a Springer? You must be or you wouldn't be reading this. You've already heard how marvelous Springers are. Well, I think you should also hear, before it's too late, that ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIELS ARE NOT THE PERFECT BREED FOR EVERYONE. As a breed, they have a few characteristics that some people find charming; that others find mildly unpleasant; and that some people find downright intolerable.
There are different breeds for different needs. There are over 200 breeds of dogs in the world. Maybe you'd be better off with some other breed. Maybe you'd be better off with a cat. Maybe you'd be better off with goldfish, a parakeet, a hamster, or some house-plants.
There are different breeds for different needs. There are over 200 breeds of dogs in the world. Maybe you'd be better off with some other breed. Maybe you'd be better off with a cat. Maybe you'd be better off with goldfish, a parakeet, a hamster, or some house-plants.
DON'T BUY AN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL IF YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO THE BREED *CHIEFLY* BY ITS APPEARANCE IN THE SHOW RING.
CH. Nanjay's Marshal Dillon CD, CGC, CGN
Dilly ready for the show ring
The appearance of the English Springer Spaniels you have seen in the show ring is the product of many hours of bathing, toweling and professional show grooming. This carefully constructed beauty is fleeting: a few minutes of romping through the fields or strolling in the rain restores a more natural look.
Dillon, like most Springers, loves the water!
The Natural Look? --- The Springer, being a sporting dog, with a moderately long coat, often has some dirt and weeds clinging to his feathered legs, chest and ears after a run in the fields --- or they're soaking wet from a swim. The longer their coat the more debris they tend to pick up along the way!
Although the breed standard does NOT separate the two types, the Show Bred (Conformation / Bench) English Springer Spaniel, and the Field Bred (Performance / Hunting) English Springer Spaniel, have different looks. The Show Bred Springer has an attractive, feathered coat that requires frequent brushing, combing, and trimming. The Field Bred Springer has a short, and or wavy coat which requires some brushing and combing, but rarely ever needs cutting.
Show Bred dogs and Field Bred dogs differ in many ways: physical appearance (body shape and size, head, ears, eyes, coat), working ability, drives, speed, temperament. Approximately 20% of the Springers in North America are Field Bred. (To find out more about the difference between a Show Bred & Field Bred E.S.S., see the Field VS Show link on the next page.)
All of the Springers that we have owned have been from show/conformation backgrounds, and were purchased from knowledgeable, responsible breeders. I can't personally tell you anything about living with a Field Bred ESS, about Field Trials or Hunting.
However, I can tell you that an English Springer Spaniel from show-lines, with lots of coat and long feathering can easily collect burrs, dirt and debris in the field. You must be prepared to spend time (and money) to keep the show bred Springer's coat in good condition, clean, free from tangles and properly trimmed.
Although the breed standard does NOT separate the two types, the Show Bred (Conformation / Bench) English Springer Spaniel, and the Field Bred (Performance / Hunting) English Springer Spaniel, have different looks. The Show Bred Springer has an attractive, feathered coat that requires frequent brushing, combing, and trimming. The Field Bred Springer has a short, and or wavy coat which requires some brushing and combing, but rarely ever needs cutting.
Show Bred dogs and Field Bred dogs differ in many ways: physical appearance (body shape and size, head, ears, eyes, coat), working ability, drives, speed, temperament. Approximately 20% of the Springers in North America are Field Bred. (To find out more about the difference between a Show Bred & Field Bred E.S.S., see the Field VS Show link on the next page.)
All of the Springers that we have owned have been from show/conformation backgrounds, and were purchased from knowledgeable, responsible breeders. I can't personally tell you anything about living with a Field Bred ESS, about Field Trials or Hunting.
However, I can tell you that an English Springer Spaniel from show-lines, with lots of coat and long feathering can easily collect burrs, dirt and debris in the field. You must be prepared to spend time (and money) to keep the show bred Springer's coat in good condition, clean, free from tangles and properly trimmed.
DON'T BUY A SPRINGER IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR LIFE WITH YOUR DOG.
Springers were originally bred to work with their owners, hunting (quartering), flushing birds and retrieving. They like to spend most of their waking hours with the family. They thrive on companionship and they want to be wherever you are. They are happiest living with you in your house and going with you when you go out.
Dillon "helping" Dad!!!
While they usually tolerate being left at home by themselves for part of the day, they should not be relegated to the backyard or kennel. Springers are prone to "separation anxiety" when left alone. A puppy exiled from the house is likely to grow up to be unsociable, unruly, and unhappy. He may well develop pastimes, such as digging or barking, that will displease you and/or your neighbours.
An adult so exiled will be miserable too. If you don't strongly prefer to have your dog's companionship as much as possible, enjoying having him sleep in your home (perhaps even in your bedroom) at night and sharing many of your activities by day, you should choose a breed less oriented to human companionship.
Likewise if your job or other obligations prevent you from spending much time with your dog. No dog is really happy without companionship, but some hounds for example, are more tolerant of being kenneled or yarded as long as they are is in groups of 2 or more. A better choice would be a cat, as they are solitary by nature.
An adult so exiled will be miserable too. If you don't strongly prefer to have your dog's companionship as much as possible, enjoying having him sleep in your home (perhaps even in your bedroom) at night and sharing many of your activities by day, you should choose a breed less oriented to human companionship.
Likewise if your job or other obligations prevent you from spending much time with your dog. No dog is really happy without companionship, but some hounds for example, are more tolerant of being kenneled or yarded as long as they are is in groups of 2 or more. A better choice would be a cat, as they are solitary by nature.
DON'T BUY AN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL IF YOU DON'T INTEND TO EDUCATE (TRAIN) YOUR DOG.
Basic obedience and household rules training is NOT optional for the Springer. As an absolute minimum, you must teach him to reliably respond to commands to come, to lie down, to stay, and to walk at your side, on or off leash and regardless of temptations.
You must also teach him to respect your household rules: e.g. is he allowed to get on the furniture? is he allowed to beg at the table? What you allow or forbid is unimportant, but it is *critical* that you, not the dog, make these choices and that you enforce your rules consistently. You yourself must be at least as intelligent as a Springer!!!
You must commit yourself to attending an 8 to 10 week series of weekly lessons at a local obedience club or with a professional trainer, and to doing one or two short (5 to 20 minutes) homework sessions per day. As commands are learned, they must be integrated into your daily life by being used whenever appropriate, and enforced consistently. You may wish to move on to more advanced training after that.
Young Springer puppies are relatively easy to train: they are intelligent, eager to please and respond well to positive methods of obedience training. However, pups can be rambunctious and do not have a very long attention span. Springers SPRING, so jumping up on you and everyone else is a given, unless trained NOT to do so. Once a Springer has learned something though, he tends to retain it well.
Your cute, sweet little Springer puppy will grow up to be a medium sized dog who is quite powerful for his size. If he has grown up respecting you and your rules, then his physical and mental strength will work for you. But if he has grown up without rules and guidance from you, surely he will make his own rules, and his physical and mental powers will often act in opposition to your needs and desires. For example: he may tow you down the street as if competing in a sled-dog race; he may grab food off the table; he
may forbid your guests entry to "his" home.
This training cannot be delegated to someone else, e.g. by sending the dog away to "boarding school," because the relationship of respect and obedience is personal between the dog and the individual who does the training. While you definitely may want the help of an experienced trainer to teach you how to train your dog, you yourself must actually train your Springer. When each lesson is well-learned, then the rest of the household (except very young children) must also work with the dog, insisting he obey them as well.
In Canine IQ Tests Springers ranked #13 of all the breeds for intelligence and are listed as Excellent Working Dogs. (Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better.) Considering that Average Working/Obedience Intelligence dogs were ranked #40 to #55, this places the English Springer Spaniel way above average.
Most Springers love to have a *job* to do, and obedience training is a great place to start. Many excel in obedience, agility, tracking, flyball, hunt tests and dog-sports of all kinds. You may find that you and your dog are enjoying these sports so much that you'll move on to compete in licensed events such as obedience and agility trials, earning well deserved satisfaction, ribbons, titles and having a blast with your dog!
Please Note: If you buy a Field Bred English Springer Spaniel and are interested in training your dog for Field Trials and/or Hunting, you really need to join a club dedicated to that purpose.
Many of the Springers that are rescued from Pounds and Shelters show clearly that they have received little or no basic training, neither in obedience nor in household deportment; yet these same dogs respond well to such training by the rescuer or the adopter. It seems likely that a failure to train the dog is a significant cause of Springer abandonment.
You must also teach him to respect your household rules: e.g. is he allowed to get on the furniture? is he allowed to beg at the table? What you allow or forbid is unimportant, but it is *critical* that you, not the dog, make these choices and that you enforce your rules consistently. You yourself must be at least as intelligent as a Springer!!!
You must commit yourself to attending an 8 to 10 week series of weekly lessons at a local obedience club or with a professional trainer, and to doing one or two short (5 to 20 minutes) homework sessions per day. As commands are learned, they must be integrated into your daily life by being used whenever appropriate, and enforced consistently. You may wish to move on to more advanced training after that.
Young Springer puppies are relatively easy to train: they are intelligent, eager to please and respond well to positive methods of obedience training. However, pups can be rambunctious and do not have a very long attention span. Springers SPRING, so jumping up on you and everyone else is a given, unless trained NOT to do so. Once a Springer has learned something though, he tends to retain it well.
Your cute, sweet little Springer puppy will grow up to be a medium sized dog who is quite powerful for his size. If he has grown up respecting you and your rules, then his physical and mental strength will work for you. But if he has grown up without rules and guidance from you, surely he will make his own rules, and his physical and mental powers will often act in opposition to your needs and desires. For example: he may tow you down the street as if competing in a sled-dog race; he may grab food off the table; he
may forbid your guests entry to "his" home.This training cannot be delegated to someone else, e.g. by sending the dog away to "boarding school," because the relationship of respect and obedience is personal between the dog and the individual who does the training. While you definitely may want the help of an experienced trainer to teach you how to train your dog, you yourself must actually train your Springer. When each lesson is well-learned, then the rest of the household (except very young children) must also work with the dog, insisting he obey them as well.
In Canine IQ Tests Springers ranked #13 of all the breeds for intelligence and are listed as Excellent Working Dogs. (Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better.) Considering that Average Working/Obedience Intelligence dogs were ranked #40 to #55, this places the English Springer Spaniel way above average.
Most Springers love to have a *job* to do, and obedience training is a great place to start. Many excel in obedience, agility, tracking, flyball, hunt tests and dog-sports of all kinds. You may find that you and your dog are enjoying these sports so much that you'll move on to compete in licensed events such as obedience and agility trials, earning well deserved satisfaction, ribbons, titles and having a blast with your dog!
Please Note: If you buy a Field Bred English Springer Spaniel and are interested in training your dog for Field Trials and/or Hunting, you really need to join a club dedicated to that purpose.
Many of the Springers that are rescued from Pounds and Shelters show clearly that they have received little or no basic training, neither in obedience nor in household deportment; yet these same dogs respond well to such training by the rescuer or the adopter. It seems likely that a failure to train the dog is a significant cause of Springer abandonment.
DON'T BUY A SPRINGER IF YOU LACK LEADERSHIP (SELF-ASSERTIVE) PERSONALITY.
Dogs do not believe in social equality. They live in a social hierarchy led by a pack-leader (Alpha). The alpha dog is generally benevolent, affectionate, and non-bullying towards his subordinates; but there is never any doubt in his mind or in
theirs that the alpha is the boss and makes the rules.
Whatever the breed, if you do not assume the leadership, the dog will do so sooner or later and with more or less unpleasant consequences for the abdicating owner. Like the untrained dog, the pack-leader dog makes his own rules and enforces them against other members of the household by means of a dominant physical posture and a hard-eyed stare, followed by a snarl, then a knockdown blow or a bite.
Breeds differ in tendencies towards social dominance; and individuals within a breed differ considerably. You do not have to have the personality or mannerisms of a Marine boot camp Sergeant, but you do have to have the calm, quiet self-assurance and self-assertion of the successful parent ("Because I'm your mother, that's why.") or successful grade-school teacher.
Most Springers are not overly-dominant. Typically they are friendly, eager to please, quick to learn, and willing to obey. In the show ring Springers are expected to exhibit poise, attentiveness, tractability, and to permit the judge the examine them without resentment or cringing. In the field Springers work off lead and must be steady, attentive, tractable and quick thinking. If a Field Trial dog shows the slightest aggression, it is removed from the gene pool.
Springers are gregarious with people and other animals (in most cases). However, there are many thousands of English Springer Spaniel puppies born every year, many from back-yard breeders who have bred unstable dogs to unhealthy dogs just to get those precious income-generating pups! Temperament problems abound in these poorly bred specimens and you must be prepared to be extra vigilant in your training if you buy a dominant, aggressive dog.
Leadership and training are inextricably intertwined: leadership enables you to train your dog, and being trained by you reinforces your dog's perception of you as the alpha. If the whole idea of "being the boss" frightens or repels you, don't get a dog at all. Cats don't expect leadership. A gerbil or hamster, or fish doesn't need leadership or household rules.
Whatever the breed, if you do not assume the leadership, the dog will do so sooner or later and with more or less unpleasant consequences for the abdicating owner. Like the untrained dog, the pack-leader dog makes his own rules and enforces them against other members of the household by means of a dominant physical posture and a hard-eyed stare, followed by a snarl, then a knockdown blow or a bite.
Breeds differ in tendencies towards social dominance; and individuals within a breed differ considerably. You do not have to have the personality or mannerisms of a Marine boot camp Sergeant, but you do have to have the calm, quiet self-assurance and self-assertion of the successful parent ("Because I'm your mother, that's why.") or successful grade-school teacher.
Most Springers are not overly-dominant. Typically they are friendly, eager to please, quick to learn, and willing to obey. In the show ring Springers are expected to exhibit poise, attentiveness, tractability, and to permit the judge the examine them without resentment or cringing. In the field Springers work off lead and must be steady, attentive, tractable and quick thinking. If a Field Trial dog shows the slightest aggression, it is removed from the gene pool.
Springers are gregarious with people and other animals (in most cases). However, there are many thousands of English Springer Spaniel puppies born every year, many from back-yard breeders who have bred unstable dogs to unhealthy dogs just to get those precious income-generating pups! Temperament problems abound in these poorly bred specimens and you must be prepared to be extra vigilant in your training if you buy a dominant, aggressive dog.
Leadership and training are inextricably intertwined: leadership enables you to train your dog, and being trained by you reinforces your dog's perception of you as the alpha. If the whole idea of "being the boss" frightens or repels you, don't get a dog at all. Cats don't expect leadership. A gerbil or hamster, or fish doesn't need leadership or household rules.
DON'T BUY AN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL IF YOU DON'T VALUE CONSTANT COMPANIONSHIP AND AFFECTION-SEEKING BEHAVIOURS ... OR IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ACTIVE LIFE-STYLE.
The English Springer Spaniel was bred to spring game birds for hunters on land and retrieve shot birds from the water if necessary. This requires stamina, energy and intelligence. Springers flush the bird, mark the spot it falls, and retrieve it. If you want a dog to show, contact show breeders for your puppy, and if you wish to field trial, seek out litters of puppies from proven field trial lines.
The Springer is a high-input, high-output dog, a get-up-and-go dog, a run-five-miles-then-play-a-game-of-Frisbee dog. Do not get a Springer unless you already have an active lifestyle! These dogs want to be with you as much as possible.
If you want a dog to lie at your feet, amuse itself, and be happy alone nine-to-five after a short morning walk --- look elsewhere. If you want a dog that lives life to the fullest and wants you to too, these are the canines for you!
Many Springers are extremely intelligent. Owning one is a "use it or lose it" situation. Either you harness that intelligent mind through training or he will use it to develop behaviours that you would rather not see.
Common problems associated with these dogs are largely management issues that can be attributed to inadequate exercise, improper socialization or poor training/management habits; chewing, wandering, nuisance barking, hyperactivity, attention-getting behaviours, digging, jumping up, mouthing.
Springers are easily prone to "separation anxiety" when left alone. Many will persistently seek affection, making them clingy and demanding of attention. These issues must be addressed when raising your Springer pup, and the dog must be taught how to handle being left on his own.
Most Springers are outgoing and are exuberantly demonstrative of their affections to you, and even to strangers. (A few are noticeably more reserved or even shy when meeting new people.) They like to be near you, usually in the same room, preferably right beside you on the sofa or underfoot, just "keeping you company". They will be calm and quiet in the house providing they have received enough exercise.
They enjoy conversation, petting, cuddling and lots of play-time when you offer it, but they can also become overbearing in coming to you to demand attention. (More reasons to take the leadership role and train your dog!) They are emotionally sensitive to their favourite people: when you are joyful, proud, angry, or grief-stricken, your Springer will immediately perceive it and is likely to share your emotional state.
Springers tend to remain puppy-like throughout their adult lives: cheerful, dependent, playful, demonstrative, and high-spirited tail-waggers. Many become 45 - 50 pound lap dogs!
The Springer is a high-input, high-output dog, a get-up-and-go dog, a run-five-miles-then-play-a-game-of-Frisbee dog. Do not get a Springer unless you already have an active lifestyle! These dogs want to be with you as much as possible.
If you want a dog to lie at your feet, amuse itself, and be happy alone nine-to-five after a short morning walk --- look elsewhere. If you want a dog that lives life to the fullest and wants you to too, these are the canines for you!
Many Springers are extremely intelligent. Owning one is a "use it or lose it" situation. Either you harness that intelligent mind through training or he will use it to develop behaviours that you would rather not see.
Common problems associated with these dogs are largely management issues that can be attributed to inadequate exercise, improper socialization or poor training/management habits; chewing, wandering, nuisance barking, hyperactivity, attention-getting behaviours, digging, jumping up, mouthing.
Springers are easily prone to "separation anxiety" when left alone. Many will persistently seek affection, making them clingy and demanding of attention. These issues must be addressed when raising your Springer pup, and the dog must be taught how to handle being left on his own.
Most Springers are outgoing and are exuberantly demonstrative of their affections to you, and even to strangers. (A few are noticeably more reserved or even shy when meeting new people.) They like to be near you, usually in the same room, preferably right beside you on the sofa or underfoot, just "keeping you company". They will be calm and quiet in the house providing they have received enough exercise.
They enjoy conversation, petting, cuddling and lots of play-time when you offer it, but they can also become overbearing in coming to you to demand attention. (More reasons to take the leadership role and train your dog!) They are emotionally sensitive to their favourite people: when you are joyful, proud, angry, or grief-stricken, your Springer will immediately perceive it and is likely to share your emotional state.
Springers tend to remain puppy-like throughout their adult lives: cheerful, dependent, playful, demonstrative, and high-spirited tail-waggers. Many become 45 - 50 pound lap dogs!
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