The English Springer Spaniel

CCC (Qld) Judges’ Training Scheme

Gundog GroupCopyright © CCC (Qld) 2007

History & Purpose

• Oldest of the sporting spaniels - bred to find, flush and retrieve game for the net, falcon & gun

• Until the early 1900's the Cocker and Springer interbred - litters split depending on size

• Recognised as a separate breed in 1902 in the UK

• Recognised in the USA in 1910• Arrived in Australia in the 1930's

General Characteristics• medium sized, compact dog• overall impression of balance, symmetry and style• tallest on leg & raciest in build of all British land

spaniels (Welsh Springer, Clumber, Sussex, Field)• destinctive head• sound in body and temperament• a movement “strictly his own”

Head

• easily identifiable as an ESS• muzzle and skull proportionate• almost parallel planes• fluting and chiselling - IMPORTANT

• moderate stop• CLEAN head - never cheeky!!!• skull fairly flat on top and slightly rounded on

sides• flews well developed, but not pendulous• nose liver or black with full pigmentation

Eyes

• oval, well set apart and fairly deep

• dark eyes for soft expression

• dark hazel - or dark brown on blacks

• colour darkens up until about 2 years of age

• eyes often a little loose in young puppies

• not loose or with “haw” in adults

Mouth

• scissor bite

• soft cushioned mouth

• full dentition desirable

Ears

• set in line with eyes

• slightly raised when alert or at work

• not exaggerated, leather not too thin

• leather should reach tip of nose

• feathering straight, wavy or crimped

Neck

• good length

• clean & free from throatiness

• crested, tapering to head

Short Neck Neck too long -unbalanced

Good Neck

Forequarters

• good layback

• shoulder & upper arm of equal length

• forelegs free to swing forward

• elbows tight

• bone strong, rounded in front and flattish on sides, ideally not tapering to foot

• pasterns short, strong, slightly sloping

Body

• slightly longer from point of shoulder to the base of tail than from withers to the ground OR square measured from the point of withers to the point of buttocks...

• well sprung ribs, widest just back from elbows• ribs fairly long• appearance balanced, strong and compact • topline slopes very gently, but is almost level• slight arch over loin

A lesson in proportion...

Point of withersBase of tail

Point of buttocks

Point of shoulders

Square from point of withers to point of buttocks OR point of shoulder to base of tail

Correct

Incorrect

Long in bodyshort on leg

Square from point of withers to base of tail

Correct Proportions!

Point of withersBase of tail

Point of buttocks

Point of shoulders

Let’s see it in practice...

Hindquarters

• above all in balance with the forequarters• never over-angulated in front and straight behind

or vice versa• balance is the key• hard and muscular condition• strong second thigh• nicely rounded from the rear• hocks well let down (1/3 hip to foot)

Tail

• customarily docked to 4 joints

• follows natural line of croup

• carried horizontally or slightly elevated

• If a full tail, never to carried over level of back or curled

• No correct method as to trimming of a full tail...

Feet

• medium size, oval or round

• well arched toes

• thick strong pads

Coat

• body coat medium length, flat or slightly wavy

• short dense undercoat

• weatherproof

• feathering moderate

• trimmed on ears, throat, neck, tail, hocks and feet

• overtrimming, chopping or cutting of body coat to be penalised

Colour

• liver & white, black & white, liver/white/tan or black/white/tan

• livers range from light to very dark - all are acceptable

• tan in tri colours in usual places - but not compulsory!!

• no rule as to proportion of solid colour to white• ticking may be non-existent• very heavy (roaning) - all are acceptable

Look beneath the colour...

Movement

• balance of fore and hindquarters is a prerequisite• smooth effortless gait with long forward stride SWINGING from

the shoulder, NOT high stepping• covering the ground with a firm back• elbows have a free action• hind may converge slightly as speed increases (single tracking) • ESS should hold topline on the move - never roaching, dipping or

rolling!!

• Look for the dog that covers the ground well in a smooth and effortless manner AND with the least exertion!!

Temperament

• Steady, kind and biddable

• No trace of aggression or timidity

• Human directed aggression in a very small % of ESS - this is not typical and should be penalised harshly

Size and Proportions

• Approximately 20“

• Generally accepted that 19 - 20" for bitches, 20 - 21" for dogs

• Remember - bred to work under heavy cover - not OVER it!!

Pictorial Examples•English vs American•Breeders (and judges!!) very divided - make your own assessment of the best SPRINGER!•Remember… many styles fit the standard!!!

Am Ch Ocoee Living Proof

The “field” type

Questions???