Springador Basics

Friendly, highly trainable, and exceptionally loyal- these designer dogs seem to have it all. The unique combination of two popular breeds in the family tree of the Springador makes this dog stand out- both in the world of hybrids and purebreds. Also known as the Labradinger, Springerdor, and Labradinger Retriever, the Springador is a beloved hybrid dog breed that features the popular personality traits of the Labrador Retriever and English Springer Spaniel.

The Springador is a fairly new dog breed- as most hybrids usually are. However, the creators of this particular designer dog breed seem to have picked out a perfect match, as this breed is rapidly gaining popularity. They’re climbing the lists of most popular mixed breed pets and making a name for themselves in the world of working dogs, too.

There’s no shortage of desirable traits when it comes to the Labrador Retriever and English Springer Spaniel mix. These active, loyal, and loving dogs are hard workers and affectionate family pets. To find out if this breed would be the right fit for you and your family, check out the information below.

The Springador is a cross between a purebred English Springer Spaniel and Labrador Retriever.

Origin

The majority of designer dog breeds can’t brag about having a well-documented origin and history. With the exception of the Labradoodle, which set off the whole designer dog trend, and few of the older and more popular hybrids, the nitty gritty about the creation of most mixed breed dogs remains a mystery. The Springador belongs to the latter group. Best guess is that this designer dog was also created in the last two decades somewhere in the United States, same as most of his fellows.

Pedigree

The Springador is a cross between a purebred English Springer Spaniel and Labrador Retriever. As a mixed breed dog, he is not recognized by the official kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club, UK Kennel Club or Canadian Kennel Club. As a result, these dogs are not eligible for official pedigree papers.

Nevertheless, with parents such as his, the Springador has a family tree that speaks volumes about his qualities. In the case you got your puppy from a reputable breeder, who chose the parents carefully for their good traits and followed the practices of good breeding, you can rest assured your new pet is an exceptional dog. Ideally, you would be able to meet the parents of the pooch, so you can see their behavior and looks first hand- and know what to expect from their offspring.

Food / Diet

In order for your dog to grow big and strong and remain healthy, you need to provide him with nutrient-dense, canine-appropriate food every day. For the Springador, this means high-quality dry food that will meet their unique needs. Their kibble must be suitable for their activity level (active dog blends) and age group (puppy, adult, senior). Choose one of the many high quality brands that are available, and then feed your pooch anywhere from 3-4 cups of dry food every day, but split this amount into at least two servings.

If you want, you can also incorporate some canned dog food into your pet’s diet for a bit of variety. But if you take this route, adjust the amount of dry food that you’re feeding so your dog won’t end up overeating and gaining too much weight.

Springadors are active, loyal, and loving dogs, as well as hard workers and affectionate family pets.

Training

The Springador is an intelligent breed that is also eager to please, and these dogs enjoy being active and challenged. This means that training will be easier when compared to other breeds.

You should find that your pooch learns quickly and will require fewer repetitions, provided that you keep the training sessions short and interesting. Also be sure to use a consistent, firm, and positive approach (these sensitive dogs won’t respond well at all to harsh training techniques). The earlier you start in your dog’s life, the better results you will achieve.

These dogs tend to be obedient by nature, but it’s still a good idea to go through basic obedience training. Start with the essentials, such as housebreaking and leash manners. As these are smart dogs, they’ll grasp the basics fairly quickly and you can move onto tricks and, if you want, training for dog sports. Activity levels and intelligence of the Springador make it a perfect match for agility or flyball, to name a few.

These pooches do have a tendency to view smaller animals, including smaller pets, as prey. Therefore, it is also important to teach your dog that he shouldn’t chase down and hurt other animals. Early training and socialization will help in this regard.

On the other hand, the ease of trainability and the hunting-oriented ancestors make the Springador one of the most popular hunting dog breeds, particularly in the United Kingdom. If you plan on having this hybrid accompany you to hunting trips, it might be a good idea to get a pro to teach them how to behave- unless you already had experience with training hunting dogs.

Weight

A large-sized breed, the Springador weighs between 50 and 90 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

Springadors are devoted canines that make wonderful family pets, as well as loyal working dogs. This breed can perform as a hunting dog, therapy dog, or police dog, as a few examples. They enjoy being active, playing, and being involved with everything their family is doing.

Overall, you can expect that a Springador will be gentle, enthusiastic, and friendly, as well as smart and alert. Be sure you have enough time to devote to your pet, as these dogs can start exhibiting negative behaviors if they are left alone and bored for extended periods of time. These canines prefer keeping busy, so if you’re active, this breed will be a good fit for your lifestyle.

Common Health Problems

Just like all other hybrid dog breeds, the Springador might inherit some of the health problems that most commonly affect its parent breeds. Nevertheless, hybrid canines tend to be hardy, and there really is no guarantee that your dog will inherit any conditions.

While there is no way to predict an individual dog’s long-term health, it is best to be aware of the potential problems that can develop, and it is also a good idea to purchase your dog from a reputable breeder who can provide health records on the animal’s parents.

Some of the ailments that the Springador might inherit include eye conditions, heart problems, epilepsy, bloat, joint dysplasia, cold tail, skin disorders, ear infections, canine phosphofructokinase, osteochondritis dissecans, and acute moist dermatitis.

Life Expectancy

The Springador has an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years.

Exercise Requirements

Springadors are best for active families, as these dogs thrive on physical activity and mental stimulation. When indoors, your pet should be provided with a variety of toys to keep busy, but you also need to ensure your pooch gets plenty of exercise in order to keep him healthy and happy.

It’s best to give your dog an hour of exercise each day, if not more. You can start with a short walk in the morning, but a long walk or jog will also be required later in the day. If you have an enclosed and safe backyard, that is the ideal spot where you can let your dog run around and play off-leash.

The Springador is an intelligent breed that is also eager to please.

Recognized Clubs

The Springador is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).

Coat

A Springador’s coat will require a moderate amount of grooming, and its length and texture will depend upon whether he inherited more of the English Springer Spaniel’s traits or the Labrador Retriever’s traits. This means that the coat could be tight and short or medium in length, or longer, wavy, and thick.

If your dog’s coat is shorter, a weekly brushing should suffice. However, if the dog’s coat is longer, you will have to brush it a few times a week in order to keep it clean and smooth, as well as to remove excess hair.

This dog will shed, and shedding will get worse seasonally, so be prepared to clean up fur that’s left around the house as well.

Puppies

As is the case with all puppies, tiny Springador pups will need to be handled with care, especially when they are around children. And even though it’s important to let your puppy play, you should ensure that your pet isn’t over-exercised while the bones and joints are still developing, as excessive pressure could result in problems later on.

Springador puppies have a lot of energy, so they might find it hard to concentrate while being trained. Start with the basics and then move on to more advanced training after your pet has been vaccinated. Some owners find it helpful to enroll their Springador in dog training classes, as it doubles as an opportunity to socialize your pet.

With proper socialization from a young age, your Springador will get along well with other animals, including fellow canines, as well as children.

Photo credit: Sandra Carmen Maschke/Flickr; Lee LeFever/Flickr