The Breed Standard

"A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. A breed standard is the pattern used by breeders in their attempts to breed typical specimens of the breed, and it is the tool of the judge in assessing dogs in the show ring."

The UK Kennel Club in 1873 saw the centralisation of all canine matters, with the club taking ownership of the breed standards which had been drafted by early breeders. Since these days, the standards have been reviewed and revised, sometimes as breeds evolved and developed, or sometimes to address a specific feature.

The breed standard for the English Springer Spaniel is shown in its entirety below. Please note that the standard is applicable to both show-bred and working-bred English Springers.

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 unacceptable.

Head and skull

Skull of medium length, fairly broad, slightly rounded, rising from foreface, making a brow or stop, divided by fluting between 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 size, almond-shaped, not prominent nor sunken, well set in (not showing haw), alert, kind expression. 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, i.e. 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 head.

Forequarters

Forelegs straight and well boned. Shoulders sloping andwell 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. Thighs broad, muscular, well developed. Coarse hocks undesirable.

Feet

Tight, compact, well rounded, with strong, full pads.

Tail

Previously 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 the rest of the dog.

Gait/movement

Strictly his own. Forelegs swing straight forward from shoulder, throwing 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.

Coat

Close, straight and weather resisting, never coarse. Moderate feathering on ears, forelegs, body and hindquarters.

Colour

Liver and white, black and white, or either of these colours with tan markings. Any other colour or combination of colours unacceptable.

Size

Approximate height: 51 cms (20 ins).

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should 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.

Note

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.