English Springer Spaniels were developed in England to push into thick cover, flush game birds and retrieve them, and that job still shapes the dog. A medium-sized sporting breed, usually 40 to 50 pounds and 19 to 20 inches tall, the Springer has a double coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs and belly. Shedding is moderate, and weekly brushing keeps tangles and burrs in check.
Springers come in show and field types that have drifted apart. Show-type dogs usually carry more coat, longer ears and heavier bone, while field-type dogs are lighter and often have higher drive, so energy and coat vary from dog to dog. Most are affectionate, eager to please and sensitive to tone. With Toledo's Metroparks nearby, a Springer with a job, such as scent games or long hikes, tends to settle best.