English Springer Spaniel Grooming Guide: Coat Care and Ear Cleaning

The Coat

Understanding the English Springer Spaniel's Coat

The English Springer Spaniel has a medium-length flat or wavy outer coat with silky feathering on the chest, legs, belly, and ears. The feathered areas are where most grooming effort goes — they tangle, mat, and collect debris far more quickly than the body coat. The body coat is manageable with regular brushing; the feathering requires consistent attention to stay tangle-free.

Springers are moderate shedders year-round. Regular brushing reduces the amount of fur shed onto furniture and clothing, and keeps the feathering from developing into dense mats that require professional dematting.

Basic Grooming Schedule

• Brushing: 2–3 times per week; focus on feathered areas each session
• Professional trim: Every 8–12 weeks for pet dogs; show dogs have more intensive schedules
• Bathing: Every 4–6 weeks, or after muddy outdoor sessions
• Ear cleaning: Weekly — this is the most important grooming task for this breed
• Nail trimming: Every 3–4 weeks
• Teeth brushing: Ideally daily; minimum 3 times per week

Ear Cleaning

Ear Cleaning Is the Most Important Grooming Task

Why Ear Infections Are So Common in Springers

English Springer Spaniels have long, heavy, pendulous ear flaps that hang close to the head and block airflow into the ear canal. This creates a warm, moist environment — ideal for bacterial and yeast overgrowth. Combined with a breed that loves water and outdoor activity, ear infections are extremely common in Springers and are the most frequent veterinary reason for visits in this breed.

Weekly Ear Cleaning Routine

Clean the ears weekly using a veterinarian-approved ear cleaning solution. Apply the solution to the ear canal opening, gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds, then let the dog shake its head, and wipe out loosened debris with a cotton ball. Do not insert cotton swabs deep into the ear canal. The goal is to remove moisture and debris before they accumulate.

Start this routine on the day your puppy comes home — even if the ears look clean. Establishing weekly ear cleaning as a normal, positive experience early means the adult dog accepts it without resistance.

Signs of Ear Infection

• Head shaking or scratching at ears
• Odor from the ear
• Redness, swelling, or discharge inside the ear flap
• Sensitivity when the ear is touched

If you see any of these signs, contact your vet. Ear infections rarely resolve without treatment, and untreated infections can lead to more serious complications.

Feathering and Trims

Managing the Feathered Coat

Brushing the Feathered Areas

Use a pin brush or slicker brush on the feathered areas of the legs, chest, and belly. Work in small sections, holding the coat above the area you're working through to prevent pulling. A metal comb is the final tool — run it through the feathering to check for any tangles left behind. If the comb snags, the area needs more attention with the brush before it becomes a mat.

The feathering behind the ears is particularly prone to matting because the ear flap lies against it and traps moisture. Check this area at every brushing session.

Professional Grooming for Pet Springers

Most pet Springer owners use a professional groomer every 8–12 weeks for a tidy-up trim that cleans up the feathering, trims excess foot hair, and neatens the overall outline. Show-style grooming (hand-stripping) is more involved, but most pet owners simply want a tidy, manageable dog. Cost is typically $60–$90 per appointment.

After Outdoor Adventures

Springers love to hunt through brush, long grass, and water — all of which deposit debris into the feathered coat. After field time, do a quick check for burrs, seeds, and thorns caught in the feathering, particularly on the ears, legs, and belly. Remove these before they work into tight mats against the skin.