English Springer Spaniels are energetic, intelligent, affectionate dogs that were bred to work alongside people. Today, they can make wonderful companions for active households, but their enthusiasm and grooming needs mean they aren’t a breed you can simply leave to entertain themselves.

A Springer may spend the morning exploring the yard, the afternoon carrying a favorite toy around the house, and the evening happily settling beside the family. Keeping up with that lifestyle requires the right equipment.

From grooming supplies and ear-care essentials to enrichment toys and comfortable resting spaces, a well-prepared home can make everyday life easier for both you and your dog.

Here are 10 useful items every English Springer Spaniel owner should consider keeping at home.

1. A Quality Slicker Brush and Grooming Tools

English Springer Spaniels have a medium-length coat with feathering around areas such as the ears, chest, legs, and underside. Those longer areas can collect dirt and develop tangles, especially after outdoor adventures.

A good slicker brush can help remove loose hair and work through minor tangles. Depending on your dog’s coat, a metal comb can also be useful for checking areas where mats commonly form.

Make grooming part of the routine

Regular brushing can:

• Remove loose hair and outdoor debris
• Reduce tangles and mats
• Help keep feathered areas manageable
• Give you an opportunity to check the skin
• Help your dog become comfortable with handling

Pay particular attention to the ears, armpits, chest, legs, and areas behind the hind legs.

If a mat is tight against the skin, don’t aggressively pull at it. Severe matting may require professional grooming.

2. Vet-Approved Ear-Care Supplies

Those beautiful, floppy Springer ears are one of the breed’s most recognizable features—but they also require regular attention.

The ear canal can have reduced airflow compared with dogs with upright ears, and moisture, wax, allergies, or other factors can contribute to ear problems.

Keep a veterinarian-recommended ear-cleaning solution at home if your veterinarian has advised routine cleaning.

Don’t over-clean

More cleaning isn’t necessarily better. Excessive cleaning can irritate the ear canal, while some dogs need more frequent care than others.

Instead:

• Check the ears regularly.
• Keep them reasonably dry.
• Follow your veterinarian’s cleaning instructions.
• Avoid putting cotton swabs deep into the ear canal.
• Watch for redness, swelling, odor, discharge, or frequent scratching.

If your dog appears painful or has persistent ear problems, veterinary examination is more appropriate than repeatedly cleaning at home.

3. Interactive Puzzle Toys

A Springer Spaniel needs more than physical exercise. This breed is intelligent and often enjoys activities that require thinking, searching, and problem-solving.

Puzzle toys can give your dog something productive to work on when you’re at home but busy, or when you need to provide additional enrichment.

Useful options include:

• Treat-dispensing toys
• Food puzzles
• Snuffle mats
• Beginner problem-solving games
• Interactive feeders
• Hide-and-seek style enrichment

Start with an appropriate difficulty level. If a puzzle is too difficult, your dog may become frustrated rather than engaged.

You can also rotate toys instead of leaving everything available all the time. Bringing out a different enrichment activity can make familiar toys feel more interesting.

4. Durable Fetch and Retrieval Toys

Retrieving is deeply associated with the Springer Spaniel’s working background, so many individuals naturally enjoy chasing, carrying, and bringing objects back.

A few durable fetch toys can turn exercise into an engaging game.

Look for toys that are:

• Appropriate for your dog’s size
• Made from pet-safe materials
• Easy to see outdoors
• Large enough to reduce the risk of accidental swallowing
• Durable enough for your dog’s play style

No toy is completely indestructible. Inspect toys regularly and replace them if pieces begin breaking off.

Make fetch more than endless throwing

Repeated high-speed chasing can be physically demanding. Mix retrieval games with sniffing, obedience exercises, relaxed walking, and other activities.

This gives your dog variety rather than relying on one form of exercise.

5. A Supportive, Comfortable Dog Bed

After a long walk, training session, or outdoor adventure, your Springer needs somewhere comfortable to rest.

Choose a bed large enough for your dog to stretch out naturally. A supportive mattress can be particularly useful for adult and senior dogs.

When shopping for a bed, consider:

• Your dog’s sleeping position
• Ease of cleaning
• Durable construction
• Adequate cushioning
• Washable covers
• The dog’s age and mobility

An orthopedic-style bed can be helpful for some older dogs or dogs with joint discomfort, but it isn’t a treatment for orthopedic disease.

Your veterinarian can advise you if your dog develops stiffness, limping, difficulty getting up, or other mobility changes.

6. Gentle Dog Shampoo

Springers love exploring. Unfortunately, that can mean coming home covered in mud, grass, and whatever else they found interesting outside.

A mild dog shampoo can be useful for occasional bathing.

Choose a product specifically formulated for dogs rather than using human shampoo, which may not be appropriate for canine skin.

Bathing tips

• Brush your dog before bathing.
• Use lukewarm water.
• Keep shampoo away from the eyes.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Dry the coat carefully, especially around the ears.
• Don’t bathe unnecessarily often unless advised by your veterinarian.

If your Springer repeatedly develops itching, redness, dandruff, odor, or other skin problems, don’t assume the solution is simply more bathing. Allergies, parasites, infections, and other conditions can require veterinary attention.

7. Safe Chew Toys

Chewing is a normal behavior for dogs, and having appropriate chew toys available can help direct that behavior toward suitable objects.

Choose toys based on your dog’s chewing style and size.

Avoid products that can easily splinter, fracture, or break into swallowable pieces. Very hard objects can also pose a risk of dental damage.

Check chew toys frequently

Even a high-quality toy can eventually become damaged.

Inspect it for:

• Cracks
• Missing pieces
• Sharp edges
• Loose sections
• Excessive wear

If part of a toy becomes small enough to swallow, replace it.

Also remember that chew toys don’t replace brushing your dog’s teeth or professional dental care.

8. A Comfortable, Properly Fitted Harness

An energetic Springer can become very enthusiastic when heading outside. A suitable harness can provide better control during walks while reducing reliance on a collar for managing pulling.

Rather than focusing solely on the label “no-pull,” prioritize proper fit and comfortable movement.

A good harness should:

• Fit securely without being painfully tight
• Allow normal shoulder movement
• Avoid rubbing the skin
• Be difficult for the dog to back out of
• Have strong, reliable attachment points

Introduce the harness gradually if your dog isn’t accustomed to wearing one.

For dogs that pull strongly, training is just as important as equipment. A harness can improve management, but it doesn’t teach loose-leash walking by itself.

9. A Feeding Setup That Keeps Those Long Ears Out of the Bowl

Springer Spaniels’ long ears can sometimes fall into food or water during meals. Some owners use specially shaped spaniel bowls or narrow, deeper bowls to help keep the ears outside the food.

An appropriate feeding setup can make mealtimes less messy and help prevent the ear hair from becoming soaked or covered in food.

However, elevated bowls aren’t automatically healthier for every dog. In fact, feeding height should be chosen with the individual dog’s needs in mind rather than assuming that raising the bowl prevents health problems.

A simple alternative

A designated feeding area, a suitable bowl design, and keeping the ears clean and dry can often be more useful than simply placing food at a greater height.

If your dog has a medical condition or specific feeding requirements, ask your veterinarian about the appropriate setup.

10. A Pet First-Aid Kit and Veterinary Care Supplies

An active dog can occasionally experience minor cuts, scrapes, or other unexpected problems. A basic pet first-aid kit can help you handle minor situations while you contact your veterinarian when necessary.

Useful supplies may include:

• Gauze
• Non-stick dressings
• Adhesive bandage material designed for pets
• Disposable gloves
• Tweezers
• Saline for appropriate wound rinsing
• A digital thermometer
• Your veterinarian’s contact information
• Emergency clinic details

A first-aid kit is not a substitute for professional treatment. Significant bleeding, breathing difficulties, poisoning, severe injuries, suspected fractures, heatstroke, or other emergencies require prompt veterinary attention.

What about joint supplements?

Some Springer owners consider supplements containing ingredients such as glucosamine or chondroitin for joint support. However, supplements aren’t appropriate for every dog, and evidence for individual products varies.

Don’t add a joint supplement simply because your dog is a Springer Spaniel.

If your dog has stiffness, arthritis, a previous injury, or another orthopedic concern, discuss nutrition and supplements with your veterinarian first.

Bonus: A Secure Outdoor Setup

For a breed that loves exploring, a secure outdoor area can be incredibly useful.

Springer Spaniels may be enthusiastic about following scents, investigating interesting smells, or chasing movement. A properly secured yard can therefore provide an opportunity for safe outdoor activity.

Check that:

• Fences are secure.
• Gates latch properly.
• There aren’t gaps underneath fencing.
• Toxic plants and chemicals are inaccessible.
• Outdoor tools are stored safely.
• Water is available on hot days.
• The dog has shade and a comfortable place to retreat.

Never assume a familiar yard is automatically safe. Dogs can discover surprisingly creative ways to escape.

Don’t Forget Training Equipment

Because English Springer Spaniels are intelligent and energetic, training should be part of everyday life.

Keeping a small supply of training treats, a suitable leash, and a few favorite toys can make it easier to practice skills throughout the day.

Useful skills include:

• Sit
• Stay
• Come
• Leave it
• Drop it
• Loose-leash walking
• Waiting at doors
• Settling on a mat
• Polite greetings

Short, positive training sessions can provide both mental stimulation and valuable communication between you and your dog.

How Much Exercise Does an English Springer Spaniel Need?

Springer Spaniels generally aren’t suited to a lifestyle where exercise is an afterthought. Their working background contributes to their enthusiasm for movement and activity.

However, there isn’t one exact exercise schedule that fits every Springer.

Age, health, fitness, temperament, weather, and individual preferences all matter.

A balanced routine might include:

• Walks
• Sniffing opportunities
• Retrieval games
• Training sessions
• Swimming where safe and appropriate
• Hiking for suitably conditioned dogs
• Puzzle toys
• Controlled outdoor exploration

Puppies and older dogs need different activity levels from healthy adults.

In hot weather, exercise should be reduced or moved to cooler parts of the day. Dogs can overheat even when they appear eager to continue playing.

Create a Springer-Friendly Home

Having the right products is helpful, but your dog’s environment and routine matter just as much.

A Springer-friendly home should provide:

A grooming area: Keep brushes, towels, and other grooming supplies together.

A quiet resting space: Your dog should have somewhere comfortable to sleep without being constantly disturbed.

A toy rotation: Keep a selection of toys available and rotate others to maintain interest.

A safe storage area: Food, medications, cleaning products, and potentially dangerous objects should be kept out of reach.

A training routine: Consistent household rules make it easier for your dog to understand what is expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are English Springer Spaniels high-maintenance dogs?

They can require more daily involvement than some companion breeds because they tend to be energetic and need regular physical and mental stimulation. Their feathered coat and ears also require routine care.

How often should I brush my Springer Spaniel?

The appropriate frequency depends on the individual dog’s coat, lifestyle, and tendency to tangle. Regular brushing is important, particularly around feathered areas and after outdoor activities.

Do Springer Spaniels need their ears cleaned every week?

Not necessarily. Ear-care needs vary between dogs. Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations rather than automatically cleaning on a fixed schedule. Persistent odor, discharge, redness, scratching, or pain warrants veterinary attention.

What are the best toys for a Springer Spaniel?

Retrieval toys, food puzzles, scent-based enrichment, and durable interactive toys can all be useful. Choose toys according to your dog’s size and chewing style and supervise play when appropriate.

Can Springer Spaniels live in apartments?

They can potentially adapt to apartment living if their exercise, enrichment, training, and companionship needs are adequately met. A yard is convenient but doesn’t replace structured activity.

Do English Springer Spaniels need a lot of exercise?

Many do. They were developed as active working dogs and generally benefit from regular physical and mental activity. However, exercise should be adapted to the individual dog’s age, health, fitness, and environmental conditions.

Are joint supplements necessary for Springer Spaniels?

Not automatically. Some dogs may benefit from particular supplements, but this should be discussed with a veterinarian, especially if the dog has joint problems or takes medication.

Final Thoughts

Living with an English Springer Spaniel can be an incredibly rewarding experience. These dogs often bring enthusiasm, affection, curiosity, and plenty of energy into everyday family life.

Preparing your home with grooming tools, appropriate toys, ear-care supplies, a comfortable bed, safe walking equipment, and basic first-aid supplies can make caring for your Springer easier.

Most importantly, remember that equipment works best alongside good nutrition, preventive veterinary care, positive training, regular exercise, mental enrichment, and plenty of companionship.

A well-prepared home doesn’t just make life more convenient—it gives your Springer a safer and more enriching environment in which to thrive.