Gundog Breeds in the Heritage Breeds Pavilion – English Springer Spaniel

In the Gundog Pavilion at the Kelmarsh Country Fair and Midland Game Fair we are proud to work alongside the breed representatives to provide the most comprehensive display of working gundogs. Here we see the characteristics and heritage of the English Springer Spaniel, taken from the Breed Society’s website.

The English Springer Spaniel is a registered gundog breed with the Kennel Club, and is also one of the "Top Ten" most popular dogs in the UK.  Of medium size, he is loyal and always willing to do anything asked of him. In general, he has a willing heart, warm dark and appealing eyes and ever wagging tail.

He can mean all things to all people and his ability to work as a gundog has always made the Breed appealing to the shooting fraternity, but he is equally as popular because of his energetic and endearing personality, as a household pet - where his happy and very biddable temperament lends itself well to family life. For the most part, his main in aim in life is to please, adoring as he does the company of both humans and other animals with whom he may work or live.

Over the centuries the Breed has evolved so that it can now fit into any role chosen for it that suits its personality, however, this also means that the breed falls into two distinct types of English Springer Spaniel i.e. the "working type" and the "show type". Both types make good gundogs and equally good family pets and are suited to living in the town or the country, as long as there is a well-fenced garden and they are regularly exercised.

The Breed's versatility can also be seen in many walks of life - he is the popular choice of the Emergency Services, Customs & Excise and Armed Forces for enhancing all aspects of their work. He also competes well in gundog events, obedience, tracking and agility where he can provide a lot of fun and interest both for himself and his owner.  For the most part it is his "sense of fun" that makes him successful in all these varying fields of canine activity.

More information on this fascinating gundog breed can be found at the English Springer Spaniel Club.