Springer Spaniels in Liverpool

This page is general information for owners. It is not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your dog's health, speak to your vet.

Got an English Springer Spaniel, or thinking of getting one? Here's what trusted sources say about these merry, busy gundogs, along with some friendly tips for life with one in Liverpool.

At a glance

• What they are: a gundog from the Spaniel group. The Royal Kennel Club says Springers got their name from "springing" forward to flush game into nets, and later flushed game from undergrowth for the gun. The breed was once called the Norfolk Spaniel (Royal Kennel Club). The breed standard calls it the oldest of the sporting gundogs (Royal Kennel Club breed standard).
• Working or show: the English Springer Spaniel Club says there are two distinct types. Show-type Springers are a little larger with more substance, while working types look smaller and lighter with higher-set, shorter-looking ears. It says both make good family pets (English Springer Spaniel Club).
• Size: medium. The breed standard gives an approximate height of 51cm, but it's a guide, and an individual dog may be larger or smaller (Royal Kennel Club breed standard). PDSA gives an average weight of 18 to 23kg (PDSA).
• Lifespan: over 10 years (Royal Kennel Club). The English Springer Spaniel Club gives an average of 12 to 14 years (English Springer Spaniel Club).
• Exercise: a lot. The Royal Kennel Club lists more than 2 hours a day (Royal Kennel Club), and PDSA says over 2 hours (PDSA).
• Coat: close, straight and weather-resisting, with moderate feathering, in liver and white or black and white, either with or without tan markings (Royal Kennel Club breed standard). PDSA suggests grooming once or twice a week, plus clipping every 3 months (PDSA).
• Health: PDSA lists hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and ear infections, because of their long ears, among the problems Springers can be prone to (PDSA). The Royal Kennel Club recommends breeders use hip, elbow and eye screening (including gonioscopy) as a minimum, with DNA tests including fucosidosis, PFK deficiency and PRA (cord1) as best practice (Royal Kennel Club). PDSA advises checking a puppy's parents have been screened (PDSA). Speak to your vet about any concerns.

Personality

Every dog is an individual, so treat this as a guide to what Springers are typically like, not a promise. Dogs Trust says that even if you know Spaniels, every dog has their own personality (Dogs Trust), and the English Springer Spaniel Club says Springers vary considerably depending on what they're bred for (English Springer Spaniel Club).

• Happy and willing: the breed standard describes a "friendly, happy disposition, biddable" (Royal Kennel Club breed standard). PDSA calls Springers happy, playful and energetic (PDSA). The English Springer Spaniel Club says most want to please, and that "everything is a 'game'" to a Springer (English Springer Spaniel Club).
• Usually keen to learn: PDSA says they're obedient and keen to learn, so training should be relatively easy, and they often enjoy the mental stimulation (PDSA). The club says that as a breed developed to work, Springers benefit from training, whether for a dog sport or simply for family life, and puppies may need a little more time and patience than calmer breeds (English Springer Spaniel Club).
• Busy body and mind: Dogs Trust says Springers are typically high-energy dogs who need lots of exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy (Dogs Trust). The club says grown dogs need exercise for both body and mind (English Springer Spaniel Club).
• With children: PDSA says Springers make good family dogs and get along well with children (PDSA). Dogs Trust adds that any claim that a breed is "good with children" should be treated with caution, because it depends on the individual dog. It also advises that children and dogs should always be closely supervised by an adult, and that your dog needs a den where they can rest undisturbed (Dogs Trust).
• With other dogs and pets: PDSA says they usually get on well with other household pets (PDSA), and the English Springer Spaniel Club says they generally adore the company of people and other animals (English Springer Spaniel Club). Dogs Trust points out that some dogs like meeting other dogs and some don't (Dogs Trust).
• When left alone: the English Springer Spaniel Club says Springers aren't recommended for anyone planning to be out all day and leave the dog on its own (English Springer Spaniel Club). PDSA recommends building up time alone gradually from puppyhood and leaving puzzle toys to keep them busy. It also says four hours is the longest any dog should routinely be left (PDSA). If you work long days, a walker or licensed day care can help. If your dog seems distressed when left, speak to your vet first.

What Springer Spaniels love doing

Dogs Trust says Springers need daily walks plus plenty of time to explore, burn energy and play (Dogs Trust). The English Springer Spaniel Club says they take part in obedience, tracking and agility, as well as working in the field (English Springer Spaniel Club). Here are some ideas.

(Ad) Product links in this section are Amazon affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How this works

Sniffing and search games

The English Springer Spaniel Club says Springers have an excellent sense of smell, and they're popular with the police, Customs and the armed forces as sniffer dogs (English Springer Spaniel Club). Dogs Trust lists searching among the behaviours that come naturally to them (Dogs Trust). Tip: hide a toy or a few treats and let them hunt it out. Even a sniffy walk is brain work for them.

In Liverpool: Precious Paws (L24) runs owner workshops that include scent work (Precious Paws, checked 18 Oct 2026).

Fetch and retrieving games

Springers are now used to find, flush and retrieve game (Royal Kennel Club breed standard), and Dogs Trust lists retrieving among their natural behaviours (Dogs Trust). Tip: find a big open space on our dog walks and parks page, and keep throws short for young puppies.

In Liverpool: council parks in our listings with plenty of room include Sefton Park (L17), Croxteth Country Park (L11), Walton Hall Park (L4) and Newsham Park (L6). Dogs aren't allowed in play areas, walled gardens, picnic areas or on sports pitches (council guidance).

Long walks and off-lead running

With over 2 hours of exercise a day recommended (PDSA), Springers usually need more than a quick stroll. Dogs Trust suggests young dogs may do better with a few shorter walks rather than one long one (Dogs Trust). Tip: work on recall before letting them off lead, and check the signs for lead rules. Our walks and parks page has ideas.

In Liverpool: green spaces in our listings include Childwall Woods (L16), Woolton Woods & Camp Hill (L25), Croxteth Country Park (L11) and Stanley Park (L4). Dogs aren't allowed in play areas, walled gardens, picnic areas or on sports pitches (council guidance).

Tracking

The English Springer Spaniel Club lists tracking among the activities Springers enjoy, and says they're first-class workers on all kinds of land and in all weathers (English Springer Spaniel Club). Tip: start simple by laying a short trail with treats on grass and letting them follow it.

Obedience, agility and training classes

The club says Springers take part in obedience and agility, which can be a lot of fun for dog and owner (English Springer Spaniel Club). The Royal Kennel Club recommends dogs don't start on agility equipment until they're at least a year old (Royal Kennel Club), and with hip and elbow problems in the breed (PDSA), check with your vet before high-impact sports. Its Good Citizen Dog Training scheme is a non-competitive place to start (Royal Kennel Club). Tip: find a class on our Liverpool dog trainers page.

In Liverpool: Precious Paws (L24) runs a four-week Agility & Hoopers Foundation course for puppies under one year (Precious Paws, checked 18 Oct 2026). Wag n' Waves (L24) runs reward-based puppy and adolescent classes and one-to-one sessions (Wag n' Waves, checked 18 Oct 2026).

Playing with other dogs

The club says Springers usually adore the company of other animals as well as people (English Springer Spaniel Club). Not every dog enjoys play dates, so go at your dog's pace (Dogs Trust). Tip: if your Springer loves company, a licensed day care can give them friends while you're at work.

In Liverpool: Wag n' Waves (L24) runs small weekly dog socials, grouped by size, with a maximum of five dogs. Each one starts with a group walk (Wag n' Waves, checked 18 Oct 2026). For puppies, Precious Paws (L24) runs a Sunday puppy playgroup for socialisation (Precious Paws, checked 18 Oct 2026).

Living with a Springer Spaniel in Liverpool

Plan for over two hours a day. That's a big commitment (PDSA), so mix walks with sniffing, fetch and training. Our dog walks and parks page has ideas. Always check the signs for lead rules and any areas where dogs aren't allowed.

A well-fenced garden helps. The English Springer Spaniel Club says Springers suit town or country, as long as there's a well-fenced garden and they get regular exercise (English Springer Spaniel Club).

Book regular grooming. PDSA suggests brushing once or twice a week plus clipping every 3 months (PDSA), and Dogs Trust says they're likely to need professional grooming (Dogs Trust). Find a groomer on our Liverpool dog groomers page.

Check those ears. Long ears can trap bacteria and lead to ear infections (PDSA). PDSA advises checking ears regularly and calling your vet if they look waxy, smell or seem itchy (PDSA).

Muddy walks happen. If they just get muddy on a walk, PDSA suggests rinsing them in warm water rather than using shampoo (PDSA).

Out at work all day? A licensed day care or a midday walk can make a real difference. Browse our Liverpool dog day care page, where we show council licence numbers wherever they exist.

Local help

Barkers Liverpool in Garston (L19) lists a Show English Springer Spaniel groom on its own booking page (checked 18 Oct 2026). See all dog groomers, trainers, day care and vets in Liverpool.

Share your Springer Spaniel

Got a Liverpool Springer Spaniel? We'd love to see them! Share your photos with us on Instagram @happydogliverpool.

See all our dog breed guides, A to Z

This page contains affiliate links, marked "View on Amazon" or 🛒. Affiliate disclosure. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Always speak to your vet.