Dossier No. 10 · England, 16th c. sporting estates
English Springer Spaniel
Country houses and active families who appreciate a spirited, elegant sporting companion.
- Stature
- Medium
- Coat
- Silken feathering — liver & white, black & white, or tri-color
- Temperament
- Enthusiastic, biddable, tirelessly cheerful
- Origin
- England, 16th c. sporting estates
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English Springer Spaniel History & Origin
The oldest of the sporting spaniels, the Springer takes its name from its task — springing game from cover for the net or the gun. Prized by English gentry since the 16th century, the breed split formally from the Cocker in the 19th century by size alone: above 25 pounds, a Springer; below, a Cocker. They have worked every royal estate from Sandringham to Balmoral.
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English Springer Spaniel Personality
Enthusiastic without being frantic, biddable without being obsequious. They are the cheerful diplomat of the sporting world — adaptable, eager, and possessed of a tail-wagging optimism that survives even the rainiest shoot. They require occupation; left idle, they become inventors of mischief.
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Living With a English Springer Spaniel
Country houses, weekend cottages, and active families who do not regard a muddy boot as a calamity. They are tactile, vocal, and will follow you from room to room with a feathered tail that clears low tables. Daily exercise is non-negotiable; so is a sense of humour.
IV
Notable Companions
The British Royal Family has kept Springers on the Sandringham estate, where they serve as both working gundogs and family companions. King George V's kennels were famous for them. They remain the private passion of English sporting families and a growing circle of American estate owners who value tradition and temperament in equal measure.
Questions we are asked
English Springer Spaniel: pedigree & puppy questions
Where does the English Springer Spaniel come from?
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The English Springer Spaniel originates from England, 16th c. sporting estates.
What is the English Springer Spaniel's temperament?
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Enthusiastic, biddable, tirelessly cheerful. Country houses and active families who appreciate a spirited, elegant sporting companion.
How big is a English Springer Spaniel and what is its coat like?
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Stature: Medium. Coat: Silken feathering — liver & white, black & white, or tri-color.
How do I check a English Springer Spaniel pedigree?
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Ask the breeder for the registered pedigree of both parents (AKC, The Kennel Club or FCI), then verify registration numbers with the registry and review the parents' health test results. GildedLeash reviews pedigrees and health clearances for every English Springer Spaniel on our register before any introduction.
How can I find a health-tested English Springer Spaniel puppy?
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GildedLeash works with a private register of vetted English Springer Spaniel breeders and arranges introductions to health-tested puppies. Email matchmaker@gildedleash.com or take our match questionnaire to begin.
Unsure whether the English Springer Spaniel suits your household? Take the match questionnaire, read our breed matching guide, or see how our puppy concierge sources pedigree puppies.