English Springer Spaniel puppy essentials
What to buy before your puppy comes home. 🙂

Waiting for an English Springer Spaniel puppy is exciting, especially when you begin gathering its everyday equipment. Here are items we have found useful in our kennel. The brands mentioned reflect the experiences described in the original article, rather than a current comparison of products or prices.

An identification tag — very important!

An identification tag can help a lost Springer get home quickly.
Our puppies are microchipped, but reading a chip requires a scanner and access to the relevant registration information. A visible telephone number lets a finder contact you directly.
Use one or two current contact numbers and, if useful, a note that the dog is microchipped. Keep the chip registration details up to date as well. Check any identification requirements that apply where you live or travel.
When choosing a tag, look for:
• a secure attachment;
• a size comfortable for the dog;
• clear, durable engraving that remains legible.

Dogs are sensitive to sound, including higher frequencies that humans cannot hear. Avoid unnecessarily noisy equipment close to their ears.

When choosing a tag, consider whether it repeatedly rattles or jingles against the collar. An alternative is a collar with contact details embroidered or printed on it; the original article mentioned this type of product from DOG SPEED.

Collars

• A flat webbing collar with a secure buckle is our usual preference. It should fit comfortably and have a reliable fastening.
  The original article described good experiences with ROGZ collars and leads: a choice of colours, reflective options and materials that stood up well to repeated use and washing. Whatever the brand, regularly check the fit, stitching and fittings.
• A limited-slip collar combines an adjustable collar with a section that tightens to a preset size. Correctly fitted, it may help with a dog that can back out of a flat collar. It must not tighten enough to restrict breathing. A loose collar can catch on objects or be lost, so use and supervise it appropriately.
• A martingale works in a similar way, using a loop of webbing as the tightening section. Correct fitting and safe handling are essential; it should not be used to deliver leash corrections.

Leads

• A standard lead has a clip at one end and a handle at the other. A length of around 1–1.2 metres can be practical in town or at a show, where closer control is needed.
• An adjustable lead, often 2–3 metres long, has attachment rings that let you change its working length to suit the situation.
• A retractable lead is not our preference for teaching loose-lead walking. Its changing length and tension can make consistent handling harder. Take particular care near traffic, people and other dogs.
• A long line, commonly 5–15 metres, can allow more sniffing and exploration where off-lead exercise is unsuitable. Use it in a safe open area, preferably with a well-fitted harness, and avoid wrapping it around hands or allowing the dog to hit the end at speed.
• A show lead is used to present a dog in the ring. Choose one that is discreet, secure and comfortable. White, brown or black usually suits a Springer’s colouring. Its thickness and design should match the dog’s size and training, not cause pain or restrict breathing.

Bowls

A Springer’s long ears can dip into its water bowl. A suitable bowl can help keep the ear tips and floor drier. Narrow-topped spaniel bowls allow the ears to fall either side, although their capacity varies.
We have also found a rimmed bowl useful: it offers a larger capacity and helps limit splashing.
For meals, a snood can keep the ear feathering away from food. Feeding frequency should suit the individual dog rather than being determined by the bowl.

Brushes suited to the coat make grooming easier.
Grooming products should be appropriate for dogs and used as directed. For our coat-care guidance, see Grooming an English Springer Spaniel.

A bed provides a comfortable resting place and a quiet refuge. 🙂 For us, easy cleaning is especially important.

• The original article described our positive experience with WIKO beds, which stood up well to repeated washing and use by several dogs in our home.
• Raised beds, including the EASY DOG BED example mentioned in the original article, keep the sleeping surface off the floor and make cleaning underneath easier. Choose a stable bed of suitable size and consider whether it is comfortable and accessible for your individual dog.
• DRY BED / VET BED is a dense-pile bedding material designed to let moisture pass through to an absorbent layer underneath. It can provide a comfortable, washable surface and insulation from the floor. Check it regularly, keep all layers clean and dry, and follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions.

A whistle is useful for recall. Our puppies are introduced to a whistle signal before leaving the kennel. A familiar signal can help while they learn their new name and their new family’s cues.
Wind and background noise may make a whistle easier to hear than a voice, but recall still needs ongoing reward-based practice. We use an ACME whistle; when replacing it, choose the same model and pitch rather than assuming that all whistles sound alike.

Toys and chews.
Perhaps the most enjoyable part of shopping! 😀

Choose chews of a suitable size and texture for the individual dog. Supervise chewing, remove small or damaged pieces, and avoid very hard items that may damage teeth.

Retrieving toys are often a favourite with Springers. Choose safe, appropriately sized toys and keep games suitable for the dog’s age and fitness.

Interactive toys encourage the dog to solve a problem to reach a reward. Introduce them at an easy level and supervise at first. They can be a fun way to use part of a young dog’s daily food allowance. 🙂

Based on the article by Ewa Kochalska — EQUESS CARNIVALE. English edition with clarifications on safe use of equipment; historical product references retained as examples.