English Springer Spaniel

• Bathing: Bathe your English Springer Spaniel every six weeks (unless they happen to take a super muddy spin at the park).  
• Brushing: Brush them about three times a week, except for spring and fall when they shed their coats. You’ll need to brush them daily then. To brush your pup, start with a slicker brush to remove the dead hair, then follow with a pin brush to gently work out any tangles. 
• Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when they’re a puppy so they get used to the experience. Get a pro cleaning at your vet once a year. 
• Ear care: Check their ears every day. If there’s redness, swelling, debris, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection that needs meds. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears, and what to use if they’re prone to irritation or infections.  
• Nail care: These pups need their nails trimmed every few weeks. If nails get too long, it can make it painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear them tapping on hard surfaces.  

These pups are people pleasers, and they live to make you happy. They’ll be eager to learn every cue you can teach them, including sit, stay, and come. But, in an interesting twist, they’re also very independent-minded: If it takes them a while to get things, it’s not for lack of smarts.  

Regular socialization with other dogs and people, as well as introducing them to new places (think public parks, dog parks, and hiking trails), will help your pup explore a variety of environments and situations, all of which they’ll probably come to love. 

Consider puppy school for your English Spring Spaniel puppy once they have all their shots (ask your vet); if you adopt your dog when they’re older, doggy daycare is a great place to socialize.  

When you train them, use positive reinforcement—that is, treats, toys, and praise. As with all dogs, negative reinforcement can have poor consequences and do a lot more harm than good. 

They learn best from pet parents who are consistent and patient with their lessons.  

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for your English Springer Spaniel, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior)—your vet can help you pick the best dog food. 

Treat calories count, too, and they’re important for motivating your dog during training. But don’t go overboard: Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. (Remember that interactive toys that don’t involve treats are also great rewards!)  

Your energetic pup loves the great outdoors, and they’ll need at least an hour—but ideally more—of exercise a day.   

Walks, hikes, or jogging will probably be fan favorites, and they’re great at dog sports that challenge their minds, like flyball and agility trials. They’ll probably also love scent work. 

Back at home, work in some interactive games to keep their minds buzzing, and find time to regularly throw around the ball if you have a fenced backyard.  

If your English Springer Spaniel could design their own home, it’d probably have a field for running, hiking trails for wandering, and an obstacle course in the backyard. As an afterthought, they’d probably remember to consider inside the house, too.  

These sporty pups need enclosed outdoor space to keep them and other creatures safe. But even if you have a small yard, it’ll do, as long as they sometimes go on grander adventures, too.  

English Springer Spaniels are a great fit for active singles or couples, as well as families with kids.