35-50 lbs
19-21"
Unknown
The Springer Pit is a mixed dog that resulted from crossing an American Pit Bull Terrier and an English Springer Spaniel. These are big dogs with short hair and a moderate tendency to shed. They live up to 15 years, and weigh between 35 and 55 pounds. The Springer Pit is fun to be with; these dogs have really high energy levels and require a lot of daily activity to drain it. They are full of excitement, energy, and always up for an entertaining game like fetch or flyball. The Springer Pit is a very smart dog and like to follow commands, which makes them easy to train. They are also very affectionate and sensitive, and don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time.
The Springer Pit resulted from crossing an English Springer Spaniel with an American Pitbull Terrier. The English Springer Spaniel is believed to be originated in Spain, thus the name. This breed is known to have a long history, traced back to 300 A.D. when Welsh law documents mention the Spaniels. Dogs looking like today’s Springer Spaniel are found in some 16th and 17th century paintings. Spaniels were used for hunting; these dogs would spring small animals or birds, and drive them somewhere they could be captured. Later, when guns were invented, these dogs assisted hunting by flushing game. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the English started to classify the Spaniels from the same litter by hunting use, instead of their breed. The small ones were destined to hunt woodcock, hence the Cocker name, and the bigger dogs were perfect for flushing game, so they got called Springers. The English Springer Spaniel was first imported to America by a Canadian breeder in 1913. Since the 1940s, two kinds of Springers are being bred; dogs for field work, and dogs for shows. The Springers that are used for field work have higher endurance, speed, and sense of smell. These two kinds of Springers are not interbred. The American Kennel Club recognized the English Springer Spaniel in 1910. The American Pit Bull Terrier comes from the Bull and Terrier breeds created in England in the 19th century, for bull and bear baiting. Later, when these spectacles became illegal, the dogs were used for dog-fighting instead. These “bull dogs” were developed for dog-fighting, but it was necessary that they wouldn’t bite their handlers, so they got a dog aggression trait, but had an opposition to attack humans. Therefore, these dogs became known as strong, protective dogs that were affectionate and family-friendly. Later, when the dogs were taken to America, people started to use them for hunting, property protection, and companionship. Here, breeders also developed a larger dog than the original English one. This larger breed got the name of American Pit Bull Terrier and it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936, as the American Staffordshire Terrier. The name was changed intending to separate the dogs from their fighting background.
The Springer Pit is a big dog, with short to medium length hair. Their fur can be black, white, blue, cream, brindle, brown, and a combination of two or three colors. They have a muscular and compact build, strong legs and paws that help them run fast and swim, and a long tail. These dogs have really strong jaw muscles and their teeth meet in a scissors bite. The Springer Pit has a large head, her ears are long and floppy, and her eyes are rounded and kind. She has a long muzzle, thinner than her head, and a big, black or brown nose.
This hybrid dog does not require much maintenance, which makes them great for someone who doesn’t have the time or the money to constantly groom a dog. She sheds moderately, so using a deshedder several times a week is highly recommended, as well as an occasional bath to keep her clean. Checking and cleaning her ears weekly is important to prevent any infection. You can do it with a cleaning solution damped cotton. Brushing her teeth at least three times a week is necessary for removing the tartar buildup and bacteria. You will also need to clip her nails once or twice a month, if she doesn’t wear them out on her own with activity.
The Springer Pit is a very affectionate, intelligent, energetic, and cheerful dog. She is super playful, enjoys running in a yard or park, and has a tendency to prey drive, as the English Springer Spaniel does. It is important to have a fenced yard, since this dog is prone to wander around and might get lost or hurt. She is very smart, loyal, and follows commands effortlessly, making her very easy to train. This hybrid is super friendly with other people, dogs and animals, and they are always looking to play. This dog is not recommended for property guarding, they might bark at first but shortly, they will want to play and be petted. Also, the Springer Pit is very sensitive and emotional; she doesn’t cope well when left alone for long periods of time. She may suffer from separation anxiety and if bored, she will search for things to chew and destroy.
The Springer Spaniel comes from two highly active dogs, therefore she needs a lot of exercise to stay healthy, happy, and to avoid unwanted behaviors like mouthiness or excessive barking. A walk 2 or 3 times daily, a fast-walk or a jog is great for them. These dogs also need activities that demand both physical and intellectual effort. A good game of flyable, fetch, tracking activities, or other agility games would be highly appreciated. Some Springer Pits might also love to get a good swim as well, either in a big pond or a small plastic pool. These dogs live best in a house with a big yard where they can run and play freely. If you don’t have a big yard, taking them to a park where they could run free will make them happy, especially if it has a pond or lake where they can swim.
Written by a Dachshund lover Natasha Betancourt
Published: 12/13/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
More articles by Natasha Betancourt
