Featured Breed of the Week : English Springer Spaniel
When it comes to weight and height, the female dogs weigh in at around 35 to 55 pounds and the males weigh 40 to 60 pounds. The height is not too far apart with the females standing at 18-20 inches and the males at 19-20. When considering the amount of maintenance, these dogs require lots of exercise, adequate nourishment, and regular grooming. Due to their hyperactive nature, English Springer Spaniels need large amounts of activity. They are well suited for owners who are active and therefore, will give the dog many opportunities to stay on the go, as needed. When it comes to feeding, English Springer Spaniels typically require 1.5 to 2 cups of dry food each day, depending on the age and individual needs of the dog. Grooming is also something that needs to be done frequently. Their coats are subjective to matting so a proper routine brushing will prevent this. Additionally, bathing may be done every few months and teeth can be brushed at least twice per week. One signature trait of English Springer Spaniels is their floppy ears. These ears need to be cleaned once a week and checked for any signs of an ear infection. Due to the poor air ventilation to their ears, they are easily prone to developing ear infections.
Most English Springer Spaniel are divided into two categories: show and field. The show dogs are known to weigh more than the filed dogs while field dogs have a lean and muscular build, making them more agile when hunting. In most cases, an English Springer Spaniel is either trained for one profession or the other. However, there have been some cases of a show dog being a field dog, as well. Show dogs are trained to look nice and perform for judges while field dogs are trained to do their performances in the woods. Field dogs have incredible stamina, speed, sense of smell, and overall, an eagerness to please.
When it comes to hunting, English Springer Spaniels have the stamina and endurance hunters love. If taught correctly, they are efficient in being a major role in cornering and flushing the prey and ultimately, helping the hunter seal the deal. Furthermore, they are great swimmers and can flush and retrieve on and off land. When hunting with a properly trained English Springer Spaniel, the animal knows to stay within shooting range of the hunter and his/her gun and will give clues when it smells a familiar scent. The tail begins to wag fast, ears perked up, and they become still so as they can catch exactly where the scent is coming from. Once they have the scent and know which direction to go, they can maneuver around in front of the prey and cut them off so that they will have nowhere to go. After the hunter has shot the prey, the English Springer Spaniel is able to retrieve it and bring it back to the hunter on the ground or in his/her hand. Their persistence and high energy level ensures they will work hard so that the hunter will get a kill.
English Springer Spaniel are not only great show dogs and expert hunters, they also make good pets. These dogs are known to be friendly and can be great around other dogs and kids. However, some do not make good watchdogs. Some English Springer Spaniels will bark at strange sounds and strange faces but they settle down fast and become friendly. This depends highly on the individual dog and his/her personality.
Whether an English Springer Spaniel dog is used for dog competitions, hunting game, or as the family pet, they have a lifespan of around 10-15 years and definitely make the best out of their lives. Their happy and social personality allows them to put their all in whatever task is set before them and their willingness to go the extra mile, allows them to succeed.
Related Aritlces
Featured Breed of the Week : American Brittany
The origin of the American Brittany Spaniel is tainted with mystery up to date. Nonetheless, it is believed that in around 1850s, English hunters who went to Brittany to look for woodcock, took with them Llewellyn, Pointers, Irish, English and Gordon setters. When the shooting season ended, the hunting dogs were typically left for the local people to take care of the dogs until when the next hunting season. There is a common belief that the dogs interbred with the residents dogs; native white Spaniel with the setters and English pointers. The interbreeding later brought to the different colors found in the many of Brittanys today. The American Brittany is a dog that is rustic owners were medieval poachers and peasants; people who lived a thriftiness lifestyle. They needed a dog that can do it all hunt and be a companion. This versatility spiraled into Brittanys. This dog today is popular in France, becoming an international loved breed too outside France.
Featured Breed of the Week: Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs that were first bred in the early 19th century. They have a strong build and are known for their gorgeous coats. These coats can be straight or wavy and can be different shades of beige or gold. They have two layers to their coat, a longer one on top and a shorter one underneath. The layering of the coats provide the dog with lots of warmth during colder climates, keeps them cool during warmer climates, and will also repel water when it is raining. The male dogs of this breed traditionally weigh in at 65-70 pounds and stand around 22-24 inches tall. The females normally weigh 55-65 pounds and are around 20-22 inches in height.
Featured Breed of the Week : Boykin Spaniels
Boykin Spaniel dogs originated in the state of South Carolina and are a medium sized dog that is full of energy and lots of love. These dogs have floppy ears and a coat that is a shade of brown and can be flat or curly. They actually have what is referred to as a double coat. This simply means they have a shorter undercoat and a longer outer coat. The layering of the coats makes for a waterproofing effect and allows the dogs to perform well, no matter the climate. The males of these breeds are generally 15.5-17 inches long and weigh in at 30-40 pounds, while the females are 14-16.5 inches long and have an average weight of 25-30 pounds. As far as maintenance, they do shed moderately, especially in the spring months, and need to be brushed on a weekly basis, to keep the hair from matting and to remove any dirt. Baths arent necessary on a daily basis but from time to time, they will need a bath, to ensure they do not emit any odors. When it comes to their diet, Boykin Spaniels eat around 2-2.5 cups of food per day, depending on their age, and need fresh, clean water, as we humans do. Due to their stamina and energy levels, these dogs need an adequate amount of exercise each day. It is wise to make sure you have an outdoor area for your dog to run around in or access to an area nearby so that they can get the exercise they need and wont become bored. They are normally very well behaved dogs but if sheltered for too long, may began to act out so lots of activity is recommended.
