Grooming the English Springer Spaniel
By Cindra Grooming Products – USA-Made, Professional Grooming Essentials
The English Springer Spaniel is a classic sporting dog: athletic, biddable, and built to work in cover and water. Their coat is beautiful, but it is not “wash and wear.” The grooming goal is a clean, healthy, functional coat with tidy feathering, correct texture, and a natural outline—without bulk, cottony softness, or sticky product buildup.
COAT
The English Springer Spaniel has a medium-length, double coat with a straight or slightly wavy outer coat and a soft, insulating undercoat. Feathering is present on the ears, chest, belly, legs, and tail. Because feathering tangles easily and holds debris, the coat requires consistent comb-through, correct bathing technique, and sensible trimming to keep the dog comfortable and field-ready.
In grooming terms, this is a coat that can become heavy, dull, or greasy if over-conditioned or under-rinsed. Clean rinsing and targeted conditioning are what keep it moving freely and looking correct.
CHARACTER
The typical Springer is friendly, eager to please, quick to learn, and willing to obey. Such traits are conducive to tractability, which is essential for appropriate handler control in the field. In the show ring, he should exhibit poise and attentiveness.
Recommended Cindra Grooming Products for the English Springer Spaniel
- For routine bathing and skin balance, use Cindra Moisturizing Shampoo.
- For comb-through slip on furnishings and friction areas, use Cindra Moisture Plus Conditioner in a light, targeted application.
- For greasy coats, heavy buildup, or dingy white markings, rotate in Cindra Cleansing Shampoo as a first wash.
- When the coat lacks body (especially after swimming or frequent conditioning), rotate in Cindra Texturizing Shampoo to support lift and structure.
- For feathering lift and a controlled finish, use Cindra Texturizing Mist lightly on damp furnishings before drying.
Common English Springer Spaniel Grooming Problems & Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Detangling / dematting | Apply Moisture Plus Conditioner full strength to the mat, wait 15 minutes, then gently pull apart with fingers and finish with a comb. Work small sections—avoid ripping. |
| Greasy coat | Use Cleansing Shampoo instead of Moisturizing Shampoo for that bath, and extend rinse time. |
| Coat lacks body | Use Texturizing Shampoo instead of Moisturizing Shampoo, and keep conditioner targeted to furnishings only. |
| Dingy white coat | First lather with Cleansing Shampoo, let sit 5 minutes, rinse thoroughly, then follow with Moisturizing Shampoo and rinse again. |
| Urine stains | Spot-clean with a small amount of Cleansing Shampoo full strength, wait 5 minutes, rinse completely, and dry the area thoroughly. |
| Flyaway hair / static in furnishings | Make an anti-static spray: mix 2 tablespoons of Moisture Plus Conditioner into 1 pint of water. Mist lightly and comb through. |
| Thin leg furnishings / feathers | Mist Texturizing Mist lightly into a damp coat and fluff dry with low-to-moderate airflow to build a fuller look without heaviness. |
Detailed Grooming Guide (Groomer Perspective)
Brushing & Combing: What Actually Prevents Mats
Springers mat where there is friction and moisture: behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, along the belly, and in the leg feathering. Brushing the top layer is not enough. You need a line-by-line comb-through to the skin in those zones.
- Use a pin brush to separate and lift furnishings without snapping hair.
- Follow with a medium-to-fine greyhound comb to confirm the area is tangle-free to the skin.
- If the comb stops, do not force it—apply a small amount of Moisture Plus Conditioner to the snag, wait, then pick it apart with fingers.
Bathing: The Two-Wash Method for Sporting Coats
For Springers, the best bath is clean, thorough, and well-rinsed—then lightly conditioned where it matters. Many “coat issues” in this breed are really residue issues.
- Pre-rinse until the coat is fully saturated to the skin.
- Choose your first wash:
- For grease, buildup, or dingy white: Cleansing Shampoo
- For routine maintenance: Moisturizing Shampoo
- For extra body/shape: Texturizing Shampoo
- Rinse completely. This is where the finish is made.
- If needed, do a second wash with Moisturizing Shampoo for a balanced, clean finish.
- Condition strategically: apply Moisture Plus Conditioner to feathering, ends, and friction areas only. Rinse until the coat feels clean and free-moving, not coated.
Drying: How to Keep Feathering Smooth Without Making the Coat Limp
Springer coats respond best to controlled drying. Rough towel-rubbing creates tangles. Leaving the dog damp encourages odor and mats.
- Towel blot and squeeze water from furnishings instead of rubbing.
- Use low-to-moderate airflow while brushing the feathering in the direction it lays.
- For a little extra support in leg feathering, mist Texturizing Mist lightly on damp hair and fluff dry.
Trimming & Tidying: What’s Appropriate
English Springer Spaniels typically require regular tidying to keep the outline clean and the dog comfortable, especially if they are active outdoors. Trimming is about neatness and function—never sculpting a heavy skirt that traps debris.
- Feet: trim between pads for traction and cleanliness; neaten the outline.
- Legs: lightly blend feathering to prevent dragging and matting; avoid cutting “stairs.”
- Ears: keep edges neat and the ear leather clean; ear fringe mats quickly.
- Sanitary: keep clean and short to prevent odor and staining.
Seasonal Shedding: What to Expect and How to Handle It
Springers commonly shed more in spring and fall. During seasonal shed, the undercoat loosens and can compact into friction mats if the dog swims, trains, or wears gear.
- Increase comb-through sessions to 3–4 times per week until shed passes.
- Use Cleansing Shampoo as needed to remove buildup that holds dead coat.
- Keep conditioner targeted; heavy conditioning during shed can make undercoat cling and tangle.
Puppy vs Adult Coat Care
| Life Stage | What Changes | Grooming Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | Softer coat, lighter feathering, tangles form quickly around ears/collar. | Short sessions, gentle combing, early bathing practice, and routine ear/feet handling. |
| Adolescent coat change | Adult feathering starts coming in; mats appear “overnight” in friction zones. | Increase comb-through frequency; use targeted detangling with Moisture Plus Conditioner before mats tighten. |
| Adult | Full furnishings and undercoat; coat shows residue quickly if under-rinsed. | Two-wash bathing when needed, strategic conditioning, tidy trims, and consistent drying after water work. |
Common Owner Mistakes (and How Groomers Avoid Them)
- Conditioning the whole dog every bath, which can collapse coat and create greasy-feeling residue.
- Brushing the surface but not combing to the skin in friction zones.
- Not drying fully after swimming or bathing—damp furnishings mat and hold odor.
- Letting ear fringe and collar areas go “just one more week,” which is how tight mats start.
- Using stain or clarifying products without fully rinsing, leading to dullness and itchiness.
Quick Grooming Schedule
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Comb friction zones (behind ears, armpits, belly, leg feathering) | 2–3 times per week (3–4 times during seasonal shed) |
| Full brush-through | Weekly |
| Bath | Every 3–6 weeks, or as needed for field work |
| Tidy trim (feet, sanitary, neaten furnishings) | Every 4–8 weeks |
| Ear check and wipe | Weekly (and after swimming) |
The Cindra Touch
The English Springer Spaniel coat is at its best when it is clean, free-moving, and functional—never heavy, sticky, or over-softened. Cindra Grooming Products are made in the USA and designed for professional performance: reliable cleansing, targeted conditioning, and coat support that respects breed-correct texture and the realities of active sporting dogs.
The end result should be a Springer that feels healthy to the hand, combs cleanly through the furnishings, and carries a natural outline that fits the breed.