English Springer Spaniels were originally bred for hunting purposes, where they would toss the game in the sky for the hawk to catch and carry it to their handler. This ability of the dogs to spring or toss the game in the air is the reason for naming these dogs as Springers. Today, these dogs are bred as sniffer dogs for flushing and retrieving things as well as show dogs.

These are compact dogs that are medium in size with a moderately long coat. The body is well proportioned and the dog usually has a gentle expression with a wagging tail. Their ears are set higher and they have a longer muzzle with less prominent eyes and less abundant coat than your Cocker Spaniel. It is interesting to note that these are perhaps the only breed that is bred for dual purposes, each having a slightly different appearance. These are either field bred dogs or show bred dogs and depending on the purpose for which they are bred, they look different, although they fall under the same breed.

Field bred dogs are usually smaller and more compact than the show bred ones, and come with shorter and coarser coats and less pendulous ears.  Their bodies are wiry and often look more ferocious than the show bred ones. Moreover, their tails are always docked to a flag to assist in hunting. These dogs rely more on their abilities and intelligence rather than looks. Show bred dogs, on the other hand, have longer coats with dangling and more pendulous ears and a short tail. They have thicker bones and weigh more than the field bred ones.

Irrespective of the type, coat colors of these dogs come in black or dark brown with white markings. Alternatively, some are white with black or dark brown markings. Other colors for coats include blue, tricolor with black, white and dark brown, tan with white markings, liver roan etc. However, lemon, sable, orange or red are not common coat colors. If found, they are usually considered to be a genetic fault.

Temperament wise, these are extremely friendly and happy-go-lucky dogs, which are absolutely playful, social and extremely eager to please their owners. They are great family dogs, which are entertaining and often comical. Being extremely intelligent, these dogs tend to learn very quickly, often responding to any or all languages. Being social, they love attention and respond well to appreciation, hugs and kisses, often wanting them in large numbers.

In terms of grooming, the field bred Springer does not require much or frequent grooming, given the short and coarse nature of the coat. Brushing and combing, if done weekly, along with regular cleaning is adequate for maintaining this breed of the dog. However, show bred dogs require more maintenance, where the owners have to opt for regular brushing and combing for more than once in a week. A word of caution though - do not bathe either breed as this makes their coat dull and dry.

Being extremely active dogs, they require all the exercise you can give them. They love to run and play, especially without the leash. Given that they are trained to stay close to the handler, longer walks or runs without the leash is a good way to exercise these dogs.