Information on English Springer Spaniel Puppies

English Springer Spaniel puppies are born in litters of six to 10, though extremes may range from two to as many as 12 puppies in a litter. Springer Spaniel males grow to be 45 to 55 lbs. and 19 to 21 inches in height. Female Springer Spaniels are somewhat smaller, rarely exceeding 50 lbs. and 18 to 20 inches in height. Purebred Springer Spaniel puppies are either black and white or liver and white, often with spots on their muzzles, paws, flanks and bellies. These well-tempered, highly sociable dogs are used for bird hunting, agility training and search and rescue operations, though they are also excellent companion dogs.

  1. Leaving the Mother Dog

    • Springer puppies are typically weaned at 6 to 8 weeks of age, at which time they may be adopted. Because leaving the mother dog is an emotional strain on the Springer pup, new owners are advised to do everything they can to make the puppy feel at home, such as purchasing a warm dog bed, food and water dishes and perhaps a few potty pads prior to the puppy̵7;s arrival.

    Establishing a Pack Order

    • Making the puppy feel at home should not be confused with indulging bad behavior, such as excessive barking or whining, persistent soiling, inappropriate chewing or dominance assertion. On the contrary, the establishment of a pack order in the new household is essential to the puppy feeling secure. Just as the mother dog was the pack leader prior to weaning, it is the responsibility of the new owner to become the pack leader in the new household.

    Daily Schedule

    • Establishing and sticking to a daily schedule with your Springer puppy is an excellent way to assert your role as the pack leader. Many owners find it best to begin by familiarizing the pup with the location of his food and water dishes. Also let him know what times he can expect to eat and sleep, where his bed is, where his toys are kept and when he can play with them. Perhaps most important is where and when he is permitted to urinate.

    Early Training

    • Springer Spaniels are incredibly easy to train.

      English Springer Spaniel puppies are incredibly easy to train. As the puppy becomes familiar with a daily routine, owners will find it necessary to begin introducing correction terms, such as ̶0;no,̶1; ̶0;down̶1; and ̶0;no bark,̶1; as well as praise terms, such as ̶0;good,̶1; ̶0;nice job̶1; and ̶0;good boy.̶1; Rewarding a puppy with a nutritious treat for a job well done presents an opportunity to introduce additional terms, such as ̶0;easy,̶1; ̶0;gentle̶1; and ̶0;sit.̶1;

    Command Training

    • At 3 to 6 months of age, the Springer puppy will become receptive to command training. In addition to the sit command, which he may have learned at a younger age, Springer Spaniels may be taught to lie down, stay, roll over, fetch and retrieve. The retrieve command is especially important for owners wishing to hunt with their Springer Spaniels, and for Spaniels who may be used in search and rescue missions. This is also an excellent time to introduce leash walking and the ̶0;heel̶1; command. While every puppy progresses at a different rate in training, English Springer Spaniels are some of the most receptive to command training.