The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized sporting dog with a compact and sturdy body, and a docked tail. The coat is of moderate length, with feathering on the legs, ears, and chest. The ears are drooping, and the expression is relaxed and gentle, indicating that it is indeed a member of the ancient hunting dog family. Its body is very symmetrical, but not overly so, with all parts being well-proportioned. It is graceful and prominent in appearance, with a deep body, strong and well-developed legs, and legs long enough to move easily. Overall, the English Springer Spaniel should exhibit strength, endurance and liveliness. It should show a good running and enduring posture, and be able to work continuously under challenging hunting conditions. In its best condition, it possesses the qualities of fashion, symmetry, balance and enthusiasm, and combines beauty and practicality, making it a genuine hunting dog that can differentiate prey.
"English Springer Spaniel" (also known as the Energetic Hunting Dog) belongs to a group of dogs that are ancestors to many land hunting dogs today. In the early 19th century, Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels were frequently born in the same litter, with size being the only factor distinguishing them. In 1902, the Kennel Club in England recognized the English Springer Spaniel as a distinct breed.
Undoubtedly, the breed standard has made the Springer Spaniel more consistent as a breed, resulting in individuals that are more uniform in both show and field trial. They are recognized as excellent sporting dogs, so it is important to not lose their standard characteristics, meaning they should not become heavy and chubby in build, in order to maintain their agility in hunting. One of their purposes is to flush and retrieve game.
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1. Heart disease
Dog heart disease is mostly related to obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, the main symptoms are fatigue and shortness of breath. Dog heart disease is difficult to detect, and by the time the owner notices it, the dog is usually seriously ill.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common deadly infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once they become sick, they may exhibit symptoms such as listlessness, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying thing about dog kidney disease is that it progresses unknowingly. By the time the owner discovers it, the damage to the dog's kidney cells is often over 75%. Common symptoms when dogs have problems include blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are weight loss, listlessness, diarrhea, presence of worms in feces, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that live in the dog's heart. Dogs that are infected with heartworms may exhibit symptoms such as poor vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and abdominal fluid accumulation.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It commonly occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral infections, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Coughing, nasal congestion, and fever are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Newborn period: The newborn period is when the puppy is just born, relying mainly on mother's milk. The body cannot regulate temperature and needs the mother's warmth. For the first day, there is no hearing or vision, and they only rely on weak touch to find the nipple. Around 13 days, their eyes open, and after 15 days they develop hearing. After 20 days, they start teething. From 21-28 days, the amount of mother's milk is not enough, and they need to transition from liquid food to semi-solid food. At this time, it is easy to have diarrhea and constipation, so they must be fed lactase, probiotics, or given powdered goat milk/pet milk. If constipation occurs when using powdered milk, you can feed a small amount of vegetable oil and massage the abdomen to help with bowel movements. Deworming begins at 14-28 days old.
Puppyhood: 1-2 months old. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed yet, so they need the owner's careful care. Generally, they should be fed at least 3 times a day, with smaller meals according to the puppy's condition. Soak the dry food with warm water or powdered goat milk and feed it little by little. Do not overfeed, as the puppy's digestion may not be good. Make sure to give the puppy plain water and remember not to feed them cow's milk, as it can cause diarrhea. You can give them some probiotics every day to regulate their gastrointestinal system. At this time, the young puppy has weak resistance to viruses and bacteria, so they should not be taken outside, nor should they come into contact with people with colds to avoid getting sick. Immunization starts at 6-7 weeks old, with immunization ending at 3 months old. It is recommended to bathe them after the immunization is completed. In the early stages, dry cleaning powder can be used for bathing. Teething begins at 19-28 days old, and all milk teeth are fully grown by 2 months old. They have certain learning abilities and can start training for toilet training.
Adolescence: 3-6 months old. At this time, puppies can gradually transition to eating dry dog food instead of soaked food. Their meal times should be adjusted slowly, and it is best to make their eating schedule more regular. They should still eat dog food and drink plain water. However, during this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium supplements. Their fur gradually transitions to adult fur, and it is a critical period for coat maintenance, which may result in an awkward stage. Puppies also start to develop dominance and try to establish their territory and dominate their owners. Their destructive ability increases. During this time, the puppy's body length and height develop rapidly, and their baby fat decreases, so they need a moderate amount of exercise daily to support their growth.
Sexual maturity: 8-14 months old. At this time, the puppy enters sexual maturity and experiences their first heat cycle. The first heat cycle can easily cause hormonal imbalance and disrupt their cycle. Persistent heat cycles, lack of heat cycles, or false pregnancy can result in low fertility rates and high rates of difficult births. It is important to supplement them with nutrients that promote reproduction, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, and folic acid. Note that they should not be bred during their first heat cycle and hygiene should be maintained during the heat cycle to prevent infections. If they are not going to be bred, spaying can be performed after the heat cycle ends.
Teenage period: 6-10 months old, up to 18 months old. At this stage, the puppy can fully eat dry dog food, and they can also be fed some cooked meat such as beef or chicken to enrich their nutrition. However, it is important not to feed chicken or duck bones, as this can result in poor bone development. If necessary (such as if the puppy has poor nutrition or is weak and prone to illness), some nutritional supplements can be given. Depending on the puppy's specific circumstances, choose to supplement with vitamins, calcium, protein, or hair care nutrients, but do not overdo it. Do not overly supplement a large amount of nutrients all at once just because you feel sorry for the puppy. Instead, gradually adjust and nourish them. At this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. They are curious, have strong cognitive abilities, and have a good memory. It is the best time for learning.
Adult: 1-6 years old. The puppy becomes an adult at 1 year old, and they will have reached their full size by that time, with minimal changes in body shape and size afterwards. At this stage, they can continue to eat dog food without many dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement them with nutrients and avoid feeding them chicken or duck bones. Avoid salty and spicy foods, do not feed them raw food, and avoid feeding them animal fat. If they get cold or ill, take them to a veterinary hospital in a timely manner and do not make blind judgments or self-medicate unless you are a veterinarian yourself. Take responsibility for your beloved pet.
Senior period: 8-18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old are already in their senior years, equating to being over 50 years old in human age. Their organs may decline in function, and they may experience geriatric diseases such as diabetes, weakened liver and kidney function, bone and joint diseases, and are more prone to diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, fractures, and arthritis. Therefore, it is especially important to supplement them with calcium. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use calcium supplements available on the market. Get some sunshine and exercise regularly. Pay attention to hygiene, and believe that the time spent with your dog will be longer.
1. Do not bathe frequently.
Bathing a dog should not be too frequent. When bathing a dog, it depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, you can bathe them one or two more times, and in winter, you can reduce it by one or two times. But in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage their fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly.
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. To ensure good hair growth, regular brushing is important. Pet owners can use a pet-specific brush to help the dog remove naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brush once in the morning and once in the evening, for about five minutes each time.
3. Sunbathe.
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. Besides making the coat more shiny, letting dogs sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, you can let the dog do some exercise, which can improve their physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help the growth of healthier fur.
4. Parasite control.
Bad hair condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites consume a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving them of nutrition. Therefore, parasite control is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external parasite control together. Also, parasite control medication can cause significant harm to a dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is advisable to feed them with probiotics to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet.
In order to have a beautiful coat, it is necessary to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog's needs and has sufficient nutrition to meet their requirements. On the other hand, you can also give the dog a moderate amount of lean meat, boiled egg yolk, and vegetable oil, etc.
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