Breed Standard for the English Springer Spaniel

THE BREED STANDARD A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and Judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare and soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely and Judges and Breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.
GENERAL APPEARANCE Symmetrically built, compact, strong, merry, active. Highest on leg and raciest in build of all British land spaniels.
CHARACTERISTICS Breed is of ancient and pure origins, oldest of sporting gundogs, original purpose was finding and springing game for net, falcon or greyhound. Now used to find, flush and retrieve game for gun.
TEMPERAMENT Friendly, happy disposition, biddable. Timidity or aggression highly undesirable.
HEAD AND SKULL Skull of medium length, fairly broad, slightly rounded, rising from the foreface, making a brow or stop, divided by fluting between the eyes, dying away along forehead towards occipital bone which should not be prominent. Cheeks flat. Foreface of proportionate length to skull, fairly broad and deep, well chiselled below eyes, fairly deep and square in flew. Nostrils well developed.
EYES Medium sized, almond shaped, not prominent nor sunken, well set in (not showing haw); alert, kind expession. Dark hazel. Light eyes undesirable.
EARS Lobular, good length and width, fairly close to head, set in line with eye. Nicely feathered.
MOUTH Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, ie. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
NECK Good Length, strong and muscular, free from throatiness, slightly arched, tapering towards the head.
FOREQUARTERS Forelegs straight and well boned. Shoulders sloping and well laid. Elbows set well to body. Strong, flexible pasterns.
BODY Strong, neither too long, nor too short. Chest deep, well developed. Well sprung ribs. Loin muscular, strong with slight arch and well coupled.
HINDQUARTERS Hindlegs well let down. Stifles and hocks moderately bent. thights broad, muscular, well developed. Coarse hocks undesirable.
FEET Tight, compact, well rounded, with strong full pads.
TAIL Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action. Customarily docked. Docked: Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action. Undocked: Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action . In balance with rest of dog.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
COAT
COLOUR
SIZE
Strictly his own. Forelegs swing straight forward from the shoulder, throwing the feet well forward in an easy free manner. Hocks driving well under body, following in line with forelegs. At slow movement, may have a pacing stride typical of this breed.
Close, straight and weather resisting, never coarse. Moderate feathering on ears, forelegs, body and hindquarters
Liver and white, black and white, or either of these colours with tan markings.
Approximate height: 51cm (20 ins).
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded to be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
FAULTS
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