Living with the ENGLISH SPRINGER
By Randy Capsel
W hile it is unknown pre- cisely how the Spaniel evolved, dogs of Spaniel type have populated the civilized world for many centuries. Th e Spaniel is thought to have originated in Spain and may have been brought to Britain by the Roman legions. Th e Spaniel was known in pre- Christian Britain, and is mentioned in an ancient law of Wales as early as 300 A.D. Prints and paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries show dogs of similar type to today’s English Springer Spaniel. Some even have docked tails. Th ere is mention made of a Spaniel on board the May fl ower.
Th e dogs were used to spring ( fl ush) or start game, both birds and other small game, for hawks, coursing hounds, and nets. Th e invention of the wheel lock fi rearm in the 17th century made “ fl ying shooting” pos- sible and the Spaniel was uniquely capable of this style of hunting due to its fl ush- ing ability. Th ey are sometimes called the “poor man’s hunting dog” since they work relatively close to the handler/gunner and are hunted on foot rather than horseback. Th roughout the 19th and early 20th century in Britain, smaller dogs in a litter would be used to hunt woodcock and were referred to as “cockers”. Larger littermates, used to fl ush or spring game, were called “Springers”. Ultimately, the two sizes were developed into separate breeds, the Springer becoming the largest of the land Spaniels. Th e Sporting Spaniel Society of Britain decided upon the name English Springer Spaniel in 1902.
English Springer Spaniels with iden- ti fi able pedigrees were fi rst imported to North America from England to Canada in 1913. In a short period of time, the breed became one of the most popular breeds eligible for American Kennel Club registration. Early in their history in the U.S., many Springer breeders and owners enjoyed working with their dogs in the fi eld and also showing them in conforma- tion competition. Th e English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association, the parent club of the breed, was founded in 1924. At that time, it was not unusual for dogs to compete in a fi eld trial one day and be presented in conformation competition the next day. Th is emphasized the versa- tility of the breed from the early days here in the United States. “Dual type” Springers—those capable of excelling in both conformation and fi eld trial competition—have not existed since
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