Spaniels are a historical British breed known for their high levels of excitement, activeness, and companionship. These attributes stem from a long history of being used as working dogs, with Spaniels being found as far back as the 1500s.

The Springer Spaniel emerged in the 1800s, and the breed persists today both as a working dog and a much-loved companion. Springer Spaniels are some of the smartest dogs out there, with incredible agility to match. These days, there are growing differences between working line and show line Springer Spaniels, which even affects their energy levels and exercise needs.

How much exercise does a Springer Spaniel need? 

When considering the Springer Spaniel’s history as a working dog, it’s a no-brainer that they need plenty of exercise. Once your pup reaches adulthood (around 18 months for most Springers) they’ll need between 70 and 90 minutes a day, depending on whether they are from a show or working line.

Because Springer Spaniels are so smart, it’s important that their brain is given as much exercise as their body. A plod around the block just won’t cut it for these active pups! Take them out to safe, open areas where they can be off lead or on a long line. Let them sniff, play lots of games, or even run through their training when out on a walk and they’ll thrive.

Keep track of all those adventures (yes, even diving in the sea) with a PitPat dog activity monitor. Not only can it withstand everything your dog puts it through, but it will also tell if they’re getting enough exercise so you can relax knowing you’re doing an awesome job.

How much exercise does a Springer Spaniel puppy need? 

Exercising your newborn adventurer can raise many questions, as too much activity can cause bone and joint issues further down the line for any breed. Luckily, you can use the free PitPat app to see exactly how much exercise your furry friend should be getting. 

When it comes to exercise, you’ll find your pup gets plenty when tearing around the house. Once they’ve had their vaccinations, you can introduce them to walkies a little at a time – aim for five minutes for every month of their age.

Saying this, there can be some leeway and of course, you don’t want to stop your littl’un having fun. But be vigilant, if they start to fall behind, it’s time to go home. 

How much exercise does a senior Springer Spaniel need? 

A similar approach can be taken to senior Springer Spaniels as to puppies, just in reverse. By the time your Springer has hit 8-years old, you’ll be thinking you know their characteristics and routine like the back of your hand. However, at this point in their life, you’ll need to become a bit more observant of any changes they may be showing. 

Don’t worry, slowing down is perfectly normal and actually shows that you’ve done a very good job of exercising your pup in their younger years. 

If you do start to notice a bit of a slower approach from your dog earlier in walks, it’s maybe time to start shortening them. The most functional way of doing this is by going at your dog’s pace, meaning you can determine the length of the walk by their mobility and fitness. 

Now, this could still not solve the problem, as some dogs don’t know what’s good for them. Here at PitPat, we’ve planned for such a situation. Once your companion has hit an age in which it’s time to think about reducing the exercise amount, the PitPat app will adapt your daily goals to suit their present needs and abilities. Don’t forget that you can also manually adjust this to suit your individual dog.

Which types of exercise are most beneficial for Springer Spaniels? 

Springer Spaniels love to use their brain and find training very stimulating. Alongside this, they’re very energetic, so they love darting across fields at warp speed again, and again, and again.

Taking this into account, activities that consist of both these factors and can be done at home and on walks are good choices for Springers. 

Try out these activities to get them working both brain and body:

Fetch – this is great for owners as it allows for little work from you. Launching a ball for your dog to retrieve is an effective way to get all that built-up energy out. It’s also a positive way to teach recall, but be sure to add in a reward system so they understand you need the ball back to be able to throw it again. 

Agility –  this can consist of multiple different activities, but the best ones will include aspects of quick changes. Creating courses that use weaving, tunnels, and jumping means the brain will be worked at a higher level than a simple fetch and retrieve activity. You can use these on walks too, for example, weaving in and out of bollards. 

Scent – like agility, there are multiple types of fun games to play with your Springer Spaniel. Games such as Find the treat, Pick a hand, and Cups are all great ways to get your pup working with their incredibly powerful nose. You can also implement commands into these to further the training in a fun environment. 

Other activities such as heelwork and obedience (staying, sitting, or leaving) will prove effective both at home and when out exercising, and will assist in making your dog a pawfect housemate. 

Making sure your Springer Spaniel is getting plenty of exercise is key to keeping them happy and healthy. Make your life easier with a PitPat dog activity monitor so you can see exactly how much exercise they’re getting and track their weight and calories.

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