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                         English Springer Spaniels
                         Frequently Asked Questions

       Author: Jan Martin
       Updated 1/3/97
       
                             Table of Contents
                                      
                       Description*Exercise*Grooming
                          Health*History*Resources
                                      
     _________________________________________________________________

Description
                                      
   Characteristics and Temperament
   
    The English Springer Spaniel is a dog characterized by long, drooping
    ears, a medium to long coat, a happily wagging, docked tail, and a
    penchant for flushing (or "springing") birds. Females are around 19"
    tall at the withers, weighing around 40 lbs, and males around 20",
    weighing about 50 lbs. They may be black and white, liver and white,
    or either combination with tan points (tri-colored), with or without
    ticking (freckles).
									  
    Since the 1930's, Springers have developed in the United States and
    Canada into dogs bred mostly for their hunting ability, known as
    "field-bred" Springers, (Field Spaniels are a different breed), and
    dogs bred with attention to a written breed standard, known as show or
    "bench" Springers. The breed standard does NOT separate the two types.
    The standard does not demand any pattern of markings, but most
    commonly, both field and show Springers have dark ears and head, white
    muzzle and a white blaze. Show dogs commonly have a dark blanket and
    less ticking and a fairly long coat, while field lines may be almost
    completely white, have a shorter coat, and be more heavily freckled.
    (Drop in here if you want to meet some show dogs). Both types have
    docked tails, though field dogs may be left a little longer with a
    "flag" on the end. Since field Springers are bred for their hunting
    ability and soundness, rather than a written description, there is
    greater variety in style among these dogs.
    
    Springers are cheerful dogs with a sense of humor. They are
    affectionate, good with children and noisy with intruders. However,
    they would probably follow an ax-murderer home if he gave them a pet
    and a treat. They are "reactors," but most don't bark without a
    reason. English Springers make excellent house-pets and can thrive
    with moderate exercise, though some Springers can be high energy dogs.
    They are actively represented in obedience, agility, fly-ball,
    tracking, and therapy, as well as being fine hunters and companions.
    While Springers from show lines might be acceptable in the field,
    serious hunters are advised to look to those who breed active, working
    stock.
    
    Field-bred English Springers would probably not do well in the show
    ring. However, with good socialization and some training, either type
    of Springer can become a wonderful companion. For more information,
    visit the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association Homepage.
    
      _________________________________________________________________
				       
Exercise

   Most English Springers can be at home on a standard 50X100 city lot's
   back yard, as long as they have a chance at some daily exercise. While
   they might prefer five acres and their own pond, many Springers thrive
   in a city setting. After the puppy matures, brisk walks, bicycling, or
   ball-chasing can keep the Springer in excellent shape. The amount of
   exercise a Springer needs varies widly for individual dogs. Remember,
   couch potatoes need to move, too!
   
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Grooming

   Long-haired breeds do take some care. Clipping for pet/field dogs can
   be confined to the inside of the ears and around the tail. This makes
   it easier to keep both areas clean. Hair must also be trimmed from
   between the pads on the feet; without thi s care, the feet can splay,
   and the dog loses traction on slick surfaces. Nails should be trimmed
   often. Show people trim them weekly; some pet owners can go up to four
   weeks without much problem. Teeth should be brushed, as in all dogs,
   with a soft brush and "doggie" toothpaste. *See the FAQ on general dog
   health. * The coat on most Springers has longer guard-hairs on top
   with a soft, dense undercoat, depending on seasonal conditions. All
   dogs lose coat at some point during the year, and the hair they do
   lose is long enough that it's pretty easy to sweep or vacuum. Extreme
   stress or health problems can lead to excessive shedding. Daily
   brushing will help keep things under control. Some commercial groomers
   take clippers to the body-coat of client dogs. If your dog's coat is
   clipped, it will not grow back the way it was before clipping, but
   will come in fuzzy. It takes a VERY long time for feathering and ears
   to re-grow if they are cut. If possible, just even up the bottom of
   the leg-feathers so they don't drag the ground; otherwise, leave the
   legs and ears alone except for combing. Grooming the show Springer
   takes about an hour. Experienced groomers use a #10 blade on the tops
   of the ears, the throat, and the top of the head. They use thinning
   shears to control the body coat. Do NOT expect a commercial groomer to
   know how to trim a show-dog. Get help from someone currently
   competing.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Health

   Springers generally enjoy robust good health, thriving on exercise.
   They love the water, hike happily, yet can adjust to a quiet, city
   life. They do need human companionship, though they can snooze all day
   while you're at work as long as they get good attention and exercise
   when you're home. Keeping the mature dog's weight within the standard
   guidelines will optimize health.
   
  Ears
  
   All floppy-eared dogs need consistant ear-care. Most veterinarians
   recommend cleaning the ears weekly as a preventative. If you see dark
   brown wax, it's a sign of trouble. Don't let ear problems wait;
   bacterial, fungus or mite problems take a veterinarian's care.
   
  Eyes
  
   Some Springers have been diagnosed with eye problems. Retinal
   Dysplasia is a genetic defect present at birth in which the retina may
   be curved or irregularly shaped and may also be detached. Most of the
   time, puppies do not get worse. Responsible breeders will check their
   litters by the age of 8 weeks, and will offer a guarantee, signed by a
   Board-Certified Vet, of "clear eyes" to the buyer, or a written
   statement of the extent of any detected eye defects. RD is caused by a
   simple recessive gene. That means that it takes a defective gene from
   each parent to produce an affected dog; however, an unaffected dog
   could be a carrier of the gene. Dogs with this problem should not be
   bred. Another, more difficult problem, is Progressive Retinal Atrophy,
   a degeneration of the retinal visual cells that progresses to
   blindness, which would definitely bar an animal from any breeding
   program. Unfortunately, the disease can appear as late as 7 or 8 years
   of age. There are electronic tests that can be used before clinical
   signs appear; however, they are expensive and not always reliable. The
   Canine Genome Project is close to identifying the defective PRA gene
   in Springers. It has been found in Irish Setters. Like RD, PRA is a
   simple recessive gene.
   
  Joint Problems
  
   As in most of the medium to large breeds, Canine Hip Dysplasia can
   affect Springers, though the percentage of affected dogs is moderate.
   Responsible breeders will certify that their breeding stock is free
   from CHD; this offers a greater chance that the offspring will also
   have good hips. However, CHD is inherited through a combination of
   multiple genes. Puppies from two certified dogs can still have hip
   problems.
   
  Blood
  
   Phosphofructokinase deficiency (PFK) is a recently discovered
   inherited autosomal recessive trait, passed along in the same way as
   the eye problems discussed above, found in ESS's and some ECS's. The
   PFK gene regulates the level of enzymes that convert sugar into
   energy. Symptoms of an Affected dog are intermittent dark urine, pale
   gums, fever, and poor appetite. These symptoms usually occur after a
   period of stress or strenuous exercise. A PFK blood test is
   recommended before breeding because a Carrier dog will not show any
   signs of this disease. Only a DNA blood test will determine if your
   dog is Normal. Once both parents are certified PFK Normal, none of the
   offspring will have to be tested, as PFK is only an inherited disease.
   For further information on testing your dogs, contact (or have your
   veterinarian contact) Dr. Urs Giger, School of Veterinary Medicine,
   University of Pennsylvania, 3850 Spruce St., Room 4017, Philadelphia,
   PA 19104-6010. 215-898-8830 FAX 215-573-2162
   E-Mail:vetmedgen@al.relay.upenn.edu. (Thanks to Tom Radde).
   
  Allergies
  
   English Springers sometimes have skin/allergy problems; however, the
   percentage of dogs with these problems is fairly low. Keeping the
   environment clear of fleas, as well as supplementing the diet with
   Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids can go a long way to controlling skin
   flare-ups.
   
  Temperament
  
   There is concern with temperament problems among lovers of the English
   Springer Spaniel. A small percentage of Springers show signs of
   dominance or fear aggression. These problems are thought to be
   genetic, but inheritance is complex and unpredictable. Always inquire
   about the temperament of the parents, and if possible MEET the parents
   of a puppy you consider. Most breeders will acknowledge the problem,
   discuss it with you honestly, and will be very careful to breed only
   dogs with solid, dependable and loving temperaments.
   
   Canine Rage, sometimes wrongly called "Springer Rage" is a term
   attached to almost any aggressive incident involving Springers.
   However, even knowledgeable Vets debate what it really is. It may be
   an extension of epilepsy...if it exists at all. There are a few
   reports of Springers having a "fit" that involves biting, and
   recovering as if they had no memory of the attack. It may be an
   extreme form of dominance aggression. Few people have witnessed
   anything that fits the description of "Rage."
   
  Seizure Disorder
  
   The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association (the parent club
   of the breed) is conducting a survey of problems with Seizure Disorder
   in the breed. They will publish the results when the survey is
   complete. Data collected at this point seems to indicate that
   incidence of this problem is similar to the number of cases in the
   general canine population. If you'd like to participate in the survey,
   contact Laurin Howard, Keswickelh@AOL.COM.
   
  Lifespan
  
   An average Springer lives around 12 years.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
History

   The name "Spaniel" has been around for nearly 2,000 years, and the
   origins go back to the Latin word for Spain. Spaniels are mentioned in
   Chaucer and in Shakespeare, but they have developed into a dog both
   more specialized and more elegant than those of Elizabethan times. In
   the 1800's, small spaniels were bred to small spaniels, and developed
   into Cockers, used to hunt woodcock The sizes of puppies from early
   litters varied widely. If a dog weighed under 25lbs, he was put in the
   cocker class; dogs larger than that were called Field Spaniels, which
   included Springers, Sussex and Clumbers. Larger spaniels didn't
   develop into a separate breed called "Springers" until about 1902.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Resources

  Breeder Referral
  
  The AKC Breeder Referral program's number is 1-900-407-PUPS(7877). This will
  give you the name of a local dog club's Breeder Referral Representative, who
  can supply the dog buyer with a list of sources. There is a small charge for
  this call. The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association secretary,
  Karen Koopman, is available for breeder referral nationally at
  1-212-481-7792, Monday-Friday after 10 AM Eastern Time.
  
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
  Rescue
  
   The National English Springer Spaniel Rescue efforts are maintained by
   Richard and Sue Burgess of Arizona. Call 1-800-377-3824 and they will
   get back to you with information about rescue contact people in your
   area. One on-line rescue source is in the San Francisco area. We'll
   add more links as they become available.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
  Books
  
   About the English Springer Spaniel...
   
     * "The NEW Complete English Springer Spaniel" by Julia Gasow and Edd
       Roggenkamp. MacMillan publishing Company, 100 Front Street,
       Riverside, NJ 08075. Tel: 800-323-7445
     * "The English Springer Spaniel in North America" by Beatrice Smith
       Brown. $15 (includes shipping). Available from the ESSFTA, c/o
       Julie Hogan, 9929 Lake Jackson Drive, Manassas, VA 22111.
     * "The Book of the English Springer Spaniel." by Anna Katherine
       Nicholas. T.F.H. Publications, 211 West Sylvania Ave, Neptune
       City, NJ 07753.
       
   Hunting with the English Springer Spaniel ...
   
     * "Spaniels for Sport" by Talbot Radcliffe. The Boydell Press, PO
       Box 9, Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK 1P123DF.
     * "Gundog Training" by Keith Erlandson. 1994. Swan Hill Press, 101
       Longden Road, Shrewsbury SY3 9EB, England. ISBN 1 85310 498 1.
     * "The Working Springer Spaniel" How to choose, train, work, breed
       and trial the world's most popular sporting spaniel, including a
       section on the working cocker. 1195. Flycatcher, Robinson
       Publishing, 7 Kensington Church Road, London W8 4SP, ISBN 1 85487
       312 1.
     * "Hup! Training Flushing Spaniels the American Way" by Jim Spencer.
       Howell Book House, Inc., 230 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10169.
     * "Gun-Dog Training Spaniels and Retrievers" by Kenneth Roebuck.
       Stackpole Books, PO Box 1831, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
       
  Magazines
  
   "Spaniels In The Field" (Published quarterly ) Art Roger, Editor 10714
   Escondido Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45349 Tel: 513-489-2727
   
   The Springer Quarterly" Debbie Ritter, Editor P.O. Box 1247,
   Chesapeake VA 23327 Tel: 804-482-1476
   
  Recommended Videos
  
   "The Springer Event of the Century" $30.00 (includes shipping).
          Available from the ESSFTA, c/o Julie Hogan, 9929 Lake Jackson
          Drive, Manassas, VA 22111
          This fascinating video, an excellent introduction to the
          English Springer Spaniel, contains highlights of the ESSFTA's
          historic 1993 event in Rochester, MN. During one memorable week
          in October, the best of our breed were brought together in a
          showcase of Springer versatility. Under the auspices of the
          National Specialty Show and ESSFTA-sponsored Licensed Field
          Trial, Springers from across the U.S. and Canada competed in
          conformation, obedience, field and tracking events.
          
   "On The Line with English Springer Spaniels" 22.95 (includes shipping)
          Available from the ESSFTA, c/o Julie Hogan 9929 Lake Jackson
          Drive, Manassas, Va22111
          Designed as an instructional tool for field trial judges
          (senior, junior and apprentice), this video provides rare
          insight into the conduct of field trials and offers an up-close
          perspective on Springer performance in the field.
          
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
   
    English Springer FAQ.
    Jan Martin, ariel@teleport.com
