Tips For Controlling Springer Spaniel Weight

Springer spaniel weight problems can occur just as ours do - if they eat more than they burn off, weight gain is the result. There are several possible reasons why a springer may be eating more than his fair share, and they may not be obvious to his owner.

Normal English springer spaniel size and weight is as follows for the adult Show (Bench) bloodline:

Dog: Height 18-20" (46-51 cm) Weight 50-55 lb (23-25 kg)

Bitch: Height 17-19" (43-48 cm) Weight 35-45 lb (16-20 kg)

Field (thay is, working line) English springer spaniels are a couple of pounds lighter.

Welsh Springers are about 1 inch lower, and weigh a pound or two less.

Check the weight of the dog regularly, so that if you do think he is overweight then you can monitor his weight and and changes resulting from any of the suggestions below. If you do not measure it you cannot improve it.

Worming

Let's assume that your dog is being wormed in accordance with your veterinarian's recommendations - the interval will depend on the worming treatment being used - and that you therefore have no suspicion of worms.

Now, check the food. If you are giving your springer his regular food in the correct quantities, then what extra might he be getting?

Feeding and Scraps

In some families, feeding responsibilities are shared and it is worth checking that everyone is giving your springer the correct quantity - occasionally children can be a bit generous when those soft eyes are watching them prepare the food.

Some owners give their dogs table scraps. Feed your dog once a day, leave the bowl out for 10 minutes only, then clear it away and wash it. If you have table scraps hold them till the next meal and mix them in - don't give them as an extra snack.

Treats

If your dog is getting treats, then check the calorie content. A small treat to us, say 50 calories for a cookie, against our weight of say 130 lbs (60 kg) is, relatively, almost 3 times as much to a normal adult springer of 50 lbs (20 kg) weight. If you must give your dog treats (and everyone likes to now and again!) then use dog treats from your pet store.

Exercise

The correct amount of exercise for an adult springer is about 30 minutes twice a day, on average. Check that your dog is getting his quota, and the children are not stopping off or taking shortcuts when they are on dog-walking rota.

Springers are not running dogs, they are endurance dogs and a couple of ways of giving them a bit more exercise which are easy on you are:

* take him swimming on the weekends - he should happily retrieve sticks from the lake or stream, and it does not take much effort from you.

* hunting - lay some bait (an old sock or glove of yours) in a bush as you are heading out on your walk (when he is running ahead and not watching); then, on your way back set him on the hunt while you take a break.

Variety is important to springers, and if you have half a dozen different places to take him for his exercise, then you will find that he will be much more active than on the same routine walk round the block every evening.

Older Dogs

Springers who are in late middle to old age - say more than about nine or ten years old - should have a diet lighter in protein and fat than a springer in the full flush of adulthood. Changes to the diet in this way must be done carefully so as to keep the dietary balance. Discuss it with your veterinarian.

Of course, older dogs are less interested in exercise as their joints stiffen up, and so some adjustment to food quantity is advisable to compensate.

If all this fails and you see no change in a month or so, and your dog is generally active and perky, then it is time to check with your veterinarian.

We have talked here about weight gain, but loss of weight can be serious, so keeping a monthly record of your springer's weight is important.

We have talked here about weight gain, but loss of weight can be serious, so keeping a monthly record of your springer's weight is important.