Gundog Medium size 18-25 kg

English Springer Spaniel

An eager, trainable gundog and family dog that thrives on activity but can grow anxious if left alone or under-exercised.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
18-25 kg · 46-56 cm
High
Activity
High; needs real daily exercise and a job
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Prefers company; struggles with long days alone
Easy
Trainability
Eager and quick to learn
Moderate
Coat care
Weekly brushing keeps the coat in order
Very good
Fit with kids
Good family dog with children
Very good
Other pets
Generally good with other dogs and pets
Light
Health burden
Ears, dental, hips

The English Springer Spaniel typically weighs 18-25 kg, stands 46-56 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you are active and want a dog to join walks, hikes, or sport,
you enjoy training an eager, quick-learning gundog,
someone is home much of the day for a companionable dog,
you can keep up weekly brushing and regular ear care.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would regularly be alone for long full days,
you want a calm, low-exercise apartment companion,
you cannot commit to daily activity plus mental work,
you would rather not manage a coat and drop ears.

A typical day with a English Springer Spaniel

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    45-60 min walk or run, ideally with some off-leash time
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest after exercise; a tired Springer settles well
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk plus a retrieve or scent game
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training, 15-20 minutes of obedience or gundog work
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk, hike, or a game with the family
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Sleeps calmly when its body and mind have worked

Temperament and training

Trainability High
Drive to work High
Sensitivity High
Independence Low
Playfulness High
Prey drive Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Under-exercising the dog and then blaming its restlessness · Leaving a company-loving breed alone for long full days · Neglecting the drop ears until infections set in

Family and environment

Kids Very good
Playful and gentle; great with active families.
Dogs Good
Sociable and generally easy with other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Often fine when raised together; some flush and chase.
Apartment Conditional
Only with heavy daily exercise and company.
House with a yard Suitable
A yard helps, but real walks and work still matter.
City Conditional
Manageable for an active owner with daily outings.
Countryside Ideal
Space and things to flush and retrieve suit it perfectly.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip dysplasia Joint malformation; screen breeding stock
Chronic ear infections Drop ears trap moisture; keep them clean and dry
Progressive retinal atrophy Inherited retinal disease; DNA test available

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Smaller spaniel with similar temperament
Cocker Spaniel
A soft, people-oriented companion spaniel wearing a show coat that demands professional-level grooming.
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Close cousin, slightly calmer
Welsh Springer Spaniel
An affectionate, hard-working spaniel that suits active families - loyal and gentle but needs real exercise.
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Family-friendly gundog alternative
Golden Retriever
A gentle, biddable family dog that fits almost any household - as long as you accept heavy shedding and one of the higher cancer burdens among popular breeds.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does an English Springer Spaniel cost?
Expect roughly $1,000-$2,500 from a reputable US breeder, with proven working or show lines priced higher. The purchase is only part of the picture: over a 12-14 year life, food, grooming, routine ear and dental care, and the occasional health issue add up well beyond the sticker price. The breed's health burden is relatively light, but a vet fund or insurance is still sensible.
What is an English Springer Spaniel's temperament like?
Eager, affectionate, and highly trainable, the Springer is a classic working gundog that loves having a job. It is friendly with people and other dogs, sensitive to its handler, and happiest when active and included in family life. That same eagerness means it needs real outlets, or its energy turns into restlessness.
Can an English Springer Spaniel be left alone during the day?
Not comfortably for long. This is a company-loving breed that prefers to be with its people and can grow anxious or destructive during long full days alone. It suits a household where someone is home much of the day, or that arranges midday exercise and company.
Is an English Springer Spaniel good with kids?
Yes, it is a very good family dog. Springers are playful, gentle, and patient, and they enjoy the activity that comes with children. As with any energetic medium dog, supervise play with small kids so the excitement stays manageable.