English Springer Spaniels are medium sized dogs with distinct long ears. This breed of dog belongs to the sporting dog category. Nowadays, they are bred more as companions and pets. Caring for a Springer is not difficult but it is time consuming. This is because they have long hair that needs to be groomed often. Grooming aside, care for Springer Spaniels is pretty much the same as with other breeds.
Feeding
Obesity can be a problem for Springer Spaniels because they love to eat. Stick to the dietary regime to ensure that this does not happen. Your dog’s vet can give you the proper nutritional requirements of your dog at any age. Make sure you provide your dog with fresh, clean water at all times.
Grooming
Because of the Springer Spaniel’s long coat, you will probably spend a lot of time grooming this dog. Regular brushing is required to remove dirt and prevent tangles and mats. This invigorates the skin and keeps the coat shiny. In brushing the dog, make use of a soft brush for the head and face. A comb is used in line brushing the rest of the body. To do this:
- Hold up some hair from the inside of the coat starting at the bottom of the body.
- Comb the hair downwards.
- Repeat with the rest of the hair making sure to work a row at a time. A medium toothed comb is used for the body while the fine toothed one is used on the ears.
The other things you need to do in terms of grooming your Springer Spaniel are:
- Check his eyes every day. Wipe any dirt that you find in the corner of the eyes with a damp cloth.
- Clean the outside of his ears with a cotton ball dipped in ear solution. You can use this to wipe off excess earwax. Do not use cotton buds for the inner ear.
- Pluck the hair inside the ear with your fingers or with tweezers.
- Brush his teeth often using a doggie toothbrush and tooth paste.
- Trim your Springer Spaniel’s nails every two weeks with a nail clipper. File the nails when necessary.
- Check the paws for foreign objects and trim the hair that grows from inside the paws every two weeks.
- Bathe your dog only when necessary with dog shampoo and conditioner.
Physical Activity
Caring for this type of canine requires that you give him ample time outdoors. Although not high strung in nature, English Springer Spaniels are energetic and require lots of exercise to keep them happy. Make sure to provide them with different physical activities with the family. The Springer Spaniel is highly trainable so aside from basic obedience training, teach him a trick or two.
Health
Just like any other breed, regular veterinary checkups are necessary. Pay careful attention to the ears and the eyes. With regular grooming and cleaning of the ears, ear related issues like ear mites can be avoided. The eyes need to be checked for signs of retinal dysplasia, central progressive retinal atrophy, and glaucoma. Ask your dog’s vet what you should be watching out for in terms of your Springer Spaniel’s health.
An English Springer Spaniel is a great companion, especially for children. Some find it difficult to take care of this type of dog because of the amount of grooming required. However this breed’s personality more than make up for the inconvenience. A Springer Spaniel is friendly, quick to learn and eager to please. What more can you ask for?