English Springer Spaniel

Puppy · 8 weeks to 18 months

English Springer Spaniel puppies are busy, social, and scent-driven. Early training should build recall, calm handling, and safe outlets for sniffing and retrieving.

• Start recall, leave-it, settle, loose-lead walking, handling, and short retrieving games early.
• Introduce brushing, ear checks, paw checks, and towel drying as normal routines.
• Use growth-safe exercise rather than long runs, forced biking, or repetitive jumping.
• Practise calm greetings before enthusiasm becomes jumping or mouthing.
• Register and microchip according to local council rules.

Adult · 18 months to 8 years

Adult Springers need daily physical and mental work. They thrive with scent games, water-safe outings, recall practice, and family involvement.

• Plan daily walks plus sniffing, retrieving, training, swimming where safe, or dog sport foundations.
• Keep recall strong around birds, bush tracks, beaches, and lifestyle-block distractions.
• Brush and comb one or two times weekly, with extra attention to ears, feathering, paws, and grass seeds.
• Dry ears after swimming and seek vet advice for odour, redness, or head shaking.
• Avoid boredom; underworked Springers may bark, dig, chew, or become frantic indoors.

Senior · 8 years and older

Senior Springers often keep their happy working attitude. Reduce impact while keeping sniffing and companionship high.

• Use shorter sniff-rich walks, gentle retrieving, scent games, and warm rest periods.
• Monitor ears, dental disease, lumps, stiffness, skin irritation, weight, and changes in enthusiasm.
• Keep coat and feathering trimmed enough to prevent mats and seed problems.
• Use non-slip surfaces and supportive bedding in damp winters.
• Ask your vet about senior checks and pain management if activity drops.

Exercise

A tired Springer needs brain work too

English Springers are active gundogs. In NZ homes, a good day may include walking, sniffing, training, retrieving, and water-safe play, not just a fast run around the block.

Water

Swimming means ear care

Many Springers love water and wet grass. Dry ears after swims and check for redness, odour, or head shaking, especially through humid weather and frequent beach or river trips.

Coat

Grass seed checks are part of grooming

After reserves, long grass, farms, or bush edges, check feathering, paws, ears, and armpits for seeds and tangles. This is especially important in late spring and summer.

Outdoors

Recall matters around birds and tracks

Springers can be enthusiastic around scent and birds. Check dog access, leash rules, wildlife areas, and 1080 alerts before rural walks or DOC land.

Family

Field-line intensity can surprise pet homes

Some Springers are much more intense than casual owners expect. Ask breeders or rescues about working lines, exercise needs, and settling ability before choosing a puppy or adult.