My English Springer Spaniels are sport dogs with docked tails. If you prefer, I can sell them to you without docking them. I would not call them “hyper” but they are active and require daily exercise. They are medium-sized dogs that weigh an average of 40 to 55 pounds and are 19 to 20 inches at the shoulder.
English Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels were originally born in the same litters. The smaller “cockers” hunted woodcock while their larger litter mates were utilized to flush or “spring” game. I always thought they were called "Springers" because they jump straight in the air off all four feet whenever I get home but I was wrong! They are gun dogs and very versatile competitors.
Springers are blessed with style, symmetry, balance, and enthusiasm, combining beauty and utility. The typical springer spaniel is friendly, eager to please, quick to learn, and willing to obey. Such traits lend to them to being easily managed and controlled, which is essential for appropriate handler control in the field.
English Springers are even-tempered, gentle, friendly, and sociable dogs that make great child companions and service dogs. Intelligent, skillful, willing, and obedient and a quick learner, these traits make these dogs hard to beat. They are also brave, playful, energetic, pleasant, and cheerful. Their tails are seemingly always in motion, making them the best greeters when you return home after a long day at work.
They are affectionate, good-natured, and sincere. These dogs love everyone, so you must be careful that they don't jump in other people’s vehicles and drive away with them! Mine try it all the time.
Springers do best when they are with someone who provides consistent structure and the rules are made clear in a positive way. They do well when provided daily physical and mental exercise. I walk my dogs two to four miles per day, and I learned that they do well with this steady access to exercise and ability to use their powerful noses. They can become destructive or bark a lot when left alone. A strong authoritative leader of the pack is best to keep them from taking over. However, they do not respond well to harsh discipline.
One thing I have learned is that diet and exercise are crucial to keeping them in excellent health. I feed puppies grain-free and chicken-free products to reduce allergy issues and minimize ear issues. My adults are on a raw food diet which generally consists of 80% muscle, 10% bone and 10% organ meat (half of which consists of liver). Since I have switched to feeding raw my puppies have been healthier and larger at birth.