English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniels need a bit of looking after. They’re moderate shedders, so will need a decent brush once a week — you’ll need to do this more often if he or she has been out and about, running off lead in fields or parks. Springers aren’t fussy about where or what they run through, so don’t be surprised to find twigs lodged in those furry ears, or small branches stuck near their rump and upper hind legs.

Check your English Springer Spaniel over and remove any debris. Brush out ears regularly, to avoid any clumping and matting — especially if they’ve been in water. Also, be sure to look inside your dog’s ears to examine them for any dirt and accumulated gunk.

You may choose to have your Spaniel groomed a few times a year, especially around the warmer months and their coat can get too long, particularly around the underbelly. Because of its relatively short legs, that belly hair can get wet and muddy in bad weather, so your Springer might need a bath now and again.

The cost of routine vet appointments can stack up. A Wag! Wellness plan covers many everyday vet bills, so you don't have to worry. Compare plans here — grooming and dental care packages can be added as options.

English Springer Spaniel health

Like many sporting breeds and energetic dogs, English Springer Spaniels are susceptible to certain health issues. If you’re the pet parent of one, it’s worth knowing what these are. They include:

• Eye disorders — including entropion, retinal dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy
• Ear infections
• Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia

Eye disorders

English Springer Spaniels can inherit hereditary eye disorders, so if you’re buying a puppy from a breeder, do ask about this; Springers with any of these conditions shouldn’t be bred. Those eye disorders can include entropion, which is when the lower eyelid rolls inwards and causes irritation and even ulcers.

Retinal Dysplasia is a genetically inherited condition that isn’t painful but is a malformation issue that might make your dog bump into objects, appear more clumsy, or seem hesitant or uncertain walking into darkened rooms or up and down stairs. Progressive Retinal Atrophy — PRA — also affects the retina, in both eyes.

It progresses gradually, beginning with a loss of night vision and moving on to a reduction in day vision, eventually leading to total sight loss. It’s not painful but can’t be cured, though dogs can adjust well to a loss of sight.

Ear infections

One of the most attractive physical features of an English Springer Spaniel are his or her long ears, but those ears can be prone to infection. Spaniels aren’t typically shy about plunging into water or shoving their faces into bushes, so there’s a chance of getting dirty, debris and muddy water lodged inside the ears. They can also get hot inside as they’re so heavy.

Check the inner ear frequently for any signs of dirt and clean gently using a cotton pad, with lukewarm water. Look out, too, for grass awns and seeds, which can cause serious problems if they penetrate the ear. Read our tips on cleaning a dog’s ears here.

Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia

Both hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are painful conditions that can restrict a dog’s movement and cause pain when walking. With hip dysplasia, the hip joint’s ball and socket hasn’t formed correctly, so it rubs and grinds instead of moving smoothly. It can affect both hips, or just one.

Elbow dysplasia is arthritis of the elbow joint and leads to lameness in a dog’s front legs. For both conditions, x-rays may be needed to determine the extent of the injury, followed by various treatment options including medication, physiotherapy and surgery. 

What to feed an English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniels love their feed and are typically fast eaters. With that in mind, it’s important to give them the right type of food and practice sensible portion control. This can help to manage an English Springer Spaniel’s weight; a highly active younger dog will burn off calories very easily but an older dog that slows down and takes less exercise is at risk of becoming overweight.

A general rule is to choose the best quality dog food you can, avoiding recipes with too much cheap ‘filler’ content and looking for those with the right levels of proteins and nutrients. You may have to pick a specialist food for senior dogs as yours ages. The average English Springer Spaniel lifespan is between 12 and 14 years and an older dog may need food with glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to help with joint issues.

Our guide to choosing the right dog food for your pup can help you to make a decision, while we have advice on how to read a dog food label — so you know exactly what’s in any recipe — here.

For detailed ingredient-by-ingredient reviews of dog food, visit our online partners Dog Food Advisor.