English Springer Spaniel Guide: Size, Temperament, Lifespan and Rescue
Do springer spaniels moult? The English Springer Spaniel at a glance
The AKC places the English Springer Spaniel in the Sporting Group and lists England as its origin. The United Kennel Club describes it as the oldest and best-established sporting gun dog, used today as a flusher and retriever. The coat has an outer layer and a short, soft undercoat, and the amount of undercoat is affected by climate and season.
Where does the breed come from?
The AKC recognition year is 1910, and the United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1932.
English Springer Spaniel size and weight
The AKC gives a height of 20 inches for males and 19 inches for females, and a weight of 50 pounds for males and 40 pounds for females. The United Kennel Club lists ideal heights of 20 inches for males and 19 inches for females, with weight ranging from 40 to 50 pounds depending on the individual dog. The AKC puts the breed in its medium size category.
English Springer Spaniel temperament
The AKC's words for the springer spaniel temperament are friendly, playful and obedient. VCA Animal Hospitals describes a happy, exuberant companion that is eager to please and quick to learn, though it can be excitable and easily distracted. VCA also says it tends to get along well with other pets and dogs, but notes that a few have been linked to sudden aggressive episodes with little warning.
How much exercise does it need?
VCA Animal Hospitals says the breed needs daily exercise such as a long walk, jog or energetic games, and field-bred dogs tend to need more. It can be a fairly calm housedog when given adequate exercise.
Grooming needs
VCA Animal Hospitals recommends brushing and combing once or twice a week to prevent mats, professional grooming every few months, and a weekly ear check.
Is it easy to train?
The AKC rates trainability at 5 out of 5. VCA Animal Hospitals says the breed does best with reward-based training involving food and that obedience training also provides mental exercise.
English Springer Spaniel life expectancy and health
The AKC gives a general life expectancy of 12-14 years for the English Springer Spaniel, which is the springer spaniel life span you can generally expect. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that springers tend to become overweight, so calories may need to be restricted if a dog gains too much. Ask a veterinarian what screening and weight management make sense for an individual dog.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the English Springer Spaniel as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Sporting Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1910
- Height (AKC published)
- 20 inches (male), 19 inches (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
- General life expectancy
- 12-14 years
- AKC size category
- Medium
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
- Trainability: 5 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 2 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 3 of 5
- Drooling: 3 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 3 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 4 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 4 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cone-Rod Dystrophy 4 (crd4/cord1) (PRA-crd4/cord1) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 7, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : English Springer Spaniel | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- English Springer Spaniel | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 7, 2026
- English Springer Spaniel - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
