English Springer Spaniel
Also known as: Springer, Springer Spaniel
An energetic, highly trainable gundog bred to flush and retrieve game - happiest with a job and plenty of daily exercise. Springers are affectionate, sociable and quick to learn, excelling at field work and dog sports with a joyful enthusiasm that makes them exceptional partners for active owners.
Origin and purpose
The English Springer Spaniel is one of the oldest land-spaniel types, named for its job of "springing" game birds into the air for the hunter, and later retrieving them. It was formally separated from the Cocker (originally littermates were divided by size) and standardised in the early 20th century; modern field and show lines differ noticeably.
Temperament
Breed authorities describe the Springer as friendly, eager, obedient and quick to learn — an affectionate, people-oriented worker that bonds closely and thrives on activity. It needs an outlet for its energy and intelligence. As ever, the individual dog and its raising predict behaviour far better than the breed (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Health and longevity
The Springer carries several heritable conditions. Buy from breeders who screen eyes, hips and run the relevant DNA tests.
Common health conditions
Living with a English Springer Spaniel in Ho Chi Minh City
This section is specific to Ho Chi Minh City (Department of Animal Health (DAH) / MARD). The rest of this guide applies to the breed anywhere.
VAWO / Four Paws Vietnam: Not eligible
This breed is not eligible for VAWO / Four Paws Vietnam.
Licensing
Dog registration required under Decree 90/2017/ND-CP: register with the local ward/commune People's Committee; annual rabies vaccination mandatory for registration; fine for unregistered dogs. Microchipping not nationally mandatory but strongly recommended. Source: MARD/DAH Vietnam (mard.gov.vn).
Climate & exercise in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is tropical monsoon; two seasons — dry (November–April, 28–35°C) and wet/rainy (May–October, heavy afternoon downpours); year-round tropical heat; no cool season; UV index extreme year-round. walk before 8am or after 6pm year-round; March–May hot-dry peak: limit walks to before 7:30am; pavement in direct sun reaches 55°C+ at midday — test with your hand before walking. HCMC's tropical climate and Vietnam's endemic rabies combine to make year-round prevention non-negotiable. Heatstroke risk is year-round for brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldog, Pug, Bulldog, Shih Tzu) — midday outdoor exercise is dangerous. Wet season (May–October) flooding creates leptospirosis risk; keep dogs away from floodwater and drainage water. Annual rabies vaccination is a legal requirement under Decree 90/2017/ND-CP — any animal bite in Vietnam requires immediate medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis.
Parasite prevention
Plan for year-round heartworm prevention essential (Culex and Aedes mosquitoes active all 12 months; wet season May–October dramatically increases mosquito breeding habitat); tick-borne disease (Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis/gibsoni, Hepatozoon canis) high risk year-round — Rhipicephalus sanguineus endemic in HCMC residential areas; mange very common; intestinal parasites (roundworm, hookworm) endemic; monthly prevention essential. Annual rabies vaccination legally required — Vietnam is NOT rabies-free..
Cost of ownership in Ho Chi Minh City
Local English Springer Spaniel cost figures for Ho Chi Minh City are being verified. Budget for purchase or adoption, initial setup, food, grooming, routine veterinary care, parasite prevention and pet insurance. Figures are quoted in ₫.
Health & longevity
Responsible breeders health-test their breeding dogs. Ask to see current certificates before committing.
Nutrition note: A high-drive working dog; match calories to a genuinely active routine and keep lean.
Known breed conditions
DNA & screening panel
Cost of ownership
FLAG: indicative Singapore estimate only — grooming, ear care and DNA/eye screening add to cost.
Registries
Sources & references
- AKC — English Springer Spaniel breed standard & traits[Breed standard / registry]
- The Kennel Club (UK) — English Springer Spaniel[Breed standard / registry]
- Merck Veterinary Manual — hereditary and breed-associated disease[Veterinary reference]
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — breed health screening / CHIC testing[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA]
- NParks/AVS — Pets in HDB flats (approved small breeds; ≤55 cm shoulder height)[Breed standard / registry] · checked June 2026
- Morrill et al., "Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics…", Science 376 (2022) — breed ≈ 9% of behaviour[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA] · 2022
Source tiers: 1 = breed standard / registry authority; 2 = peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA; 3 = veterinary reference; 4 = encyclopaedic. PawHub cites only tiers 1–4 and never blogs or e-commerce pages. Behavioural traits carry low confidence — breed explains ~9% of individual behaviour variation (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Image credits
- Image 1: Canarian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 2: Ratsniffer · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 3: State Farm · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
