The Talented English Springer Spaniel Quiz

Answer: As a guard dog

Although they are very loyal, English springer spaniels are not noted for their suitability as guard dogs. Their skills lie elsewhere.

The English springer spaniel makes an enthusiastic and versatile gun dog. It is the fastest land spaniel and can be trained in a large number of field skills. Springers have the stamina to work all day and still enjoy the walk home.

The springer also makes a wonderful family pet as they are friendly, eager to please and very much enjoy the company of families and children. There have been many handsome springer show champions over the years enjoying popularity and success in the UK, USA, Europe and Australia.

Answer: Their primary purpose is to spring game birds from the bushes

Springer spaniels are so called because their primary purpose as a hunting dog is to flush, or "spring", game birds from the undergrowth into the air for the hunter to shoot.

In addition to springing game, the gun-trained English springer spaniel can also be relied upon to perform many other field skills including retrieval, quartering, scenting and following hand signals.

Answer: The show dog is generally bigger than the working dog

The difference between the show strain and the working strain of the English springer spaniel is greater than with almost any other breed of dog. Working dogs tend to be smaller, have a rougher coat and be more energetic than show dogs. Show dogs are heavier boned and have longer ears and fur.

Dogs bred in the working strain do not meet the breed standard for the springer show category. Show dogs are unsuitable for the field as they lack the required skills, speed and stamina. Both are equally suitable as family pets but the working dog needs a lot more exercise!

Answer: Golden and white

Although their close relatives, English cocker spaniels, come in wide variety of colours, the English springer spaniel still manages to look good in a more limited "wardrobe". Liver and white or black and white are the most common colours with the tricolour coat being rarer. A pedigree springer would not have a golden and white coat.

Answer: False

The typical English springer spaniel loves water. He's a strong swimmer and, when not working, will jump in for a dip whenever the chance arises. One of the advantages of having a talented springer as a gun dog is that he is versatile enough to retrieve game from land and water.

Answer: Detection of narcotics and explosives

English springer spaniels are a popular choice as sniffer dogs in many countries because they have an outstanding sense of smell and, with training, are able to distinguish between many different substances. They can detect the tiniest amount of drugs or explosives even when smugglers have tried to mask the scent with other strong odours.

Springers have also been used to detect many other items and substances such as illicit currency, human remains and even bees' nests.

Answer: William Wallace

William Wallace was said to have owned a springer spaniel who was his constant companion and even aided him in his victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

Unfortunately, Merlin MacDonald was not featured in the movie "Braveheart". Perhaps the producers thought that having a handsome and talented springer spaniel in the movie would steal the limelight from the Hollywood stars!

Answer: False

Rage syndrome is a condition which causes a dog to behave with uncontrollable aggression for a short period, returning to normal when the episode has passed. Some dogs may respond to treatment with epilepsy drugs, but some may not and may have to be euthanized.

It is a very rare condition only affecting the show strain of springers. Although sometimes referred to as "springer rage", the condition is more often reported in cocker spaniels.

Answer: George H W Bush

Millie was the beloved pet of the Bush family and former "First Dog" of the USA. George H W Bush even publicly credited her with having a better knowledge of foreign affairs than Bill Clinton and Al Gore! While she was resident at the White House she gave birth to puppies. One of the puppies, Spot, went on to become a "First Dog" himself as the pet of George W Bush.

Spot shared a common bond with former president Grover Cleveland as both served two non-consecutive terms in the White House.

Answer: Making over 20 parachute jumps with the SAS during World War II

English springer spaniel Buster was awarded the Dickin medal in 2003 (the animal version of the Victoria Cross) for his work with the British Army. He saved many lives by locating an extremist group's arms and explosives cache in Southern Iraq. The army stated that the weapons would have been used against British troops if Buster hadn't found them.

Murphy is a talented springer who works with the British prison service. His nose is so finely tuned that he can tell the difference between a prisoner's illegal cell phone and a legitimate one belonging to a prison officer.

Ch. Chinoe's Adamant James is a springer and one of a very small group of dogs to have won back-to-back "best in show" titles at the famous Westminster Kennel Club dog show. He won in 1971 and again in 1972.

Rob was an heroic dog who made over 20 parachute jumps with the SAS during the North African campaign during WWII. Rob was a collie, not a springer. He received the Dickin medal for his bravery.