Field and Show Dogs
Springer spaniels are an official breed recognized by both the Kennel Club of England and by the American Kennel club. However, although not formally acknowledged by the kennel clubs there are two “branches” within the English springer breed. Each "line" describes a dog bred for a specific purpose – one for hunting, the other for charming judges in the show ring. Field dogs and show or bench dogs really rather different, not only in their appearance but also in their temperament. Owners who want a show dog look for different quality and characteristics than owners who want their springer with them in the field.
The Springer Spaniel got its name from its ability to
effectively “spring” birds for the undergrowth so hunters could shoot
them. They are categorized as sporting dogs
by the kennel clubs and this is indeed their heritage. However early in the 20th century
it became desirable to breed springers specifically for the show ring where
they looked for different qualities than were required in the field. Longer ears, thicker glossier coats and a
more muscular appearance were what the judges wanted while it continued to be
the case that appearance played little if any part in the making of a good
hunting dog. So it was that the breed
gradually divided into the “field” and “bench” or “show” varieties.
The Field Dog
My dog Juno is field bred. She has shorter ears, a shorter coat but with the signature “feathering” on her paws and tail. She has a docked tail – not always done these days (and debated by many) – taken just where there is a white tip so when hunting she can be seen easily in the bush. She is tall but finely boned (and a little chubby, but don’t tell her…) She also has the “ticking” or freckles that are more common in field dogs on her muzzle and her legs – in fact this ticking goes right down to her skin and isn’t just her fur.
This is a field bred dog....
The Field Dog
My dog Juno is field bred. She has shorter ears, a shorter coat but with the signature “feathering” on her paws and tail. She has a docked tail – not always done these days (and debated by many) – taken just where there is a white tip so when hunting she can be seen easily in the bush. She is tall but finely boned (and a little chubby, but don’t tell her…) She also has the “ticking” or freckles that are more common in field dogs on her muzzle and her legs – in fact this ticking goes right down to her skin and isn’t just her fur.
This is a field bred dog....
A show springer looks more like this….
They are often heavier and larger than the field variety and have longer thicker coats. Generally
show or “bench” dogs are without the ticking that I mentioned above although
the official breed description allows for it. The show dog has a docked tail and
a judge will look for a muscular sturdy body and a larger head than is usually
seen in field dogs. Show dogs have lovely long silky ears and the "feathering" on their legs is longer than a field bred dog. Show dogs are taller than they are long - field bred are longer than they are tall.
Temperament
In general springers are loving, devoted and endlessly playful. I haven't known a springer owner who didn't say it took literally years before the "puppy" was out of their springer. Juno is four and still regularly behaves like a complete pup. I call it "puppy burn" when she belts around the yard in endless circles just because she can. Although there isn't much formal information on how field and show springers differ in temperment my understanding from springer owners and my own experience tells me that field bred dogs have more energy, are more playful, more curious and more "in your face" than show dogs. Springers generally are very devoted companions and one of the main characteristics that attacted me to the breed in the first place is that they bond equally with all members of the family. They don't bond only to one master. This has certainly held true with our dogs - and in our case, includes bonding with our children.
There is a belief among some that there is something called "springer rage" where springers can be unpredictably and suddenly agressive. My vet simply told me that every breed of dog can "rage" and that it isn't specific to springers. I have been told that "springer rage", if it exists, is seen mainly in the show line of dogs but I remain sceptical that there is such a condition.
It is worth noting here under "temperament" that springers need exercise and lack of it can effect their temperament. There are sources that will tell you your springer pup will need up to two hours a day but I am of the opinion that it really depends on how you define exercise. If you plan to walk your dog on a leash, it might take two hours, but springers - especially field bred dogs - prefer off leash time. It is while they run through long grass, jumping at passing birds and butterflies, snuffling through the undergrowth, that they are really at their most content. If they get this type exercise each day you won't need to be out there for two hours. Training is also exercise and springers LOVE to learn things. I always think that any time spent training is exercise too so I continue to train both my dogs regularly and consider it exercise time.
In general springers are loving, devoted and endlessly playful. I haven't known a springer owner who didn't say it took literally years before the "puppy" was out of their springer. Juno is four and still regularly behaves like a complete pup. I call it "puppy burn" when she belts around the yard in endless circles just because she can. Although there isn't much formal information on how field and show springers differ in temperment my understanding from springer owners and my own experience tells me that field bred dogs have more energy, are more playful, more curious and more "in your face" than show dogs. Springers generally are very devoted companions and one of the main characteristics that attacted me to the breed in the first place is that they bond equally with all members of the family. They don't bond only to one master. This has certainly held true with our dogs - and in our case, includes bonding with our children.
There is a belief among some that there is something called "springer rage" where springers can be unpredictably and suddenly agressive. My vet simply told me that every breed of dog can "rage" and that it isn't specific to springers. I have been told that "springer rage", if it exists, is seen mainly in the show line of dogs but I remain sceptical that there is such a condition.
It is worth noting here under "temperament" that springers need exercise and lack of it can effect their temperament. There are sources that will tell you your springer pup will need up to two hours a day but I am of the opinion that it really depends on how you define exercise. If you plan to walk your dog on a leash, it might take two hours, but springers - especially field bred dogs - prefer off leash time. It is while they run through long grass, jumping at passing birds and butterflies, snuffling through the undergrowth, that they are really at their most content. If they get this type exercise each day you won't need to be out there for two hours. Training is also exercise and springers LOVE to learn things. I always think that any time spent training is exercise too so I continue to train both my dogs regularly and consider it exercise time.
References
American Kennel Club. Breed Standard http://www.akc.org/breeds/english_springer_spaniel/index.cfm
Nelson, Francie. Springers at the Millenium. http://www.essfta.org/english-springers/versatility/springers-at-the-millenium/
Resources about Field Bred Springers - http://www.essft.com/fieldshow.html
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