English Springer Spaniel
Also known as: Springer, Springer Spaniel
An energetic, highly trainable gundog bred to flush and retrieve game - happiest with a job and plenty of daily exercise. Springers are affectionate, sociable and quick to learn, excelling at field work and dog sports with a joyful enthusiasm that makes them exceptional partners for active owners.
Origin and purpose
The English Springer Spaniel is one of the oldest land-spaniel types, named for its job of "springing" game birds into the air for the hunter, and later retrieving them. It was formally separated from the Cocker (originally littermates were divided by size) and standardised in the early 20th century; modern field and show lines differ noticeably.
Temperament
Breed authorities describe the Springer as friendly, eager, obedient and quick to learn — an affectionate, people-oriented worker that bonds closely and thrives on activity. It needs an outlet for its energy and intelligence. As ever, the individual dog and its raising predict behaviour far better than the breed (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Health and longevity
The Springer carries several heritable conditions. Buy from breeders who screen eyes, hips and run the relevant DNA tests.
Common health conditions
Living with a English Springer Spaniel in Quezon City
This section is specific to Quezon City (Quezon City Veterinary Department / Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)). The rest of this guide applies to the breed anywhere.
PAWS Philippines / CARA Welfare / QC City Pound: Not eligible
This breed is not eligible for PAWS Philippines / CARA Welfare / QC City Pound.
Licensing
Dog registration required under the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 (RA 9482): register with Quezon City Veterinary Department or your Barangay; annual rabies vaccination mandatory; fees PHP 100–500/year. Philippines is NOT rabies-free — annual vaccination is a legal requirement.
Climate & exercise in Quezon City
Quezon City is tropical maritime; hot dry season March–May (32–36°C); rainy/typhoon season June–November; cool dry December–February (22–28°C); Metro Manila urban heat island effect pronounced in Quezon City's densely built barangays. walk before 7:30am or after 6pm year-round; March–May peak heat — limit walks to before 7am; UP Diliman and QMC provide shade cover for midday emergencies but avoid pavement in direct sun. Quezon City's tropical heat peaks March–May with extreme humidity — heatstroke is a genuine risk for all dogs and particularly dangerous for brachycephalic breeds. Typhoon season (June–November) brings flooding especially in low-lying barangays near Diliman Creek and San Juan River — keep dogs away from floodwater due to leptospirosis risk.
Parasite prevention
Plan for year-round heartworm prevention essential; tick-borne disease (Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis/gibsoni) high risk year-round — Rhipicephalus sanguineus endemic; annual rabies vaccination legally required (RA 9482); leptospirosis risk from floodwater during typhoon season June–November.
Cost of ownership in Quezon City
Local English Springer Spaniel cost figures for Quezon City are being verified. Budget for purchase or adoption, initial setup, food, grooming, routine veterinary care, parasite prevention and pet insurance. Figures are quoted in ₱.
Health & longevity
Responsible breeders health-test their breeding dogs. Ask to see current certificates before committing.
Nutrition note: A high-drive working dog; match calories to a genuinely active routine and keep lean.
Known breed conditions
DNA & screening panel
Cost of ownership
FLAG: indicative Singapore estimate only — grooming, ear care and DNA/eye screening add to cost.
Registries
Sources & references
- AKC — English Springer Spaniel breed standard & traits[Breed standard / registry]
- The Kennel Club (UK) — English Springer Spaniel[Breed standard / registry]
- Merck Veterinary Manual — hereditary and breed-associated disease[Veterinary reference]
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — breed health screening / CHIC testing[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA]
- NParks/AVS — Pets in HDB flats (approved small breeds; ≤55 cm shoulder height)[Breed standard / registry] · checked June 2026
- Morrill et al., "Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics…", Science 376 (2022) — breed ≈ 9% of behaviour[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA] · 2022
Source tiers: 1 = breed standard / registry authority; 2 = peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA; 3 = veterinary reference; 4 = encyclopaedic. OurPetCircle cites only tiers 1–4 and never blogs or e-commerce pages. Behavioural traits carry low confidence — breed explains ~9% of individual behaviour variation (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Image credits
- Image 1: Canarian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 2: Ratsniffer · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 3: State Farm · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
