English Springer Spaniel Health Problems

[Crespin]

I used to have an ESS. She was wonderful, and since she has been gone, I have learned that a house isnt a home without an ESS.
Our girl was almost 15 years old, when she went to the bridge. She would have been 15 this April. Had her since I was in grade 4. Love the breed to death!!!!

Was wanting to - in the future - aquire another ESS. Worried about health issues in the breed. Joy had a problem with her eyes, and by the time she went was totally blind. But, that dog was so smart, you wouldnt tell she was blind by looking at her - as she could move around like my sighted dogs. Also, loved dealing with the bouts of Spaniel Ear lol.....

Anyways, my main concern is what is being refered to as Spaniel Rage. How common is that? Joy suffered from epilepsy later in life, but she never was aggressive with it. We put her on meds for a bit, but didnt like the change in personality, and she wasnt having many seizures, a couple of months in between each one.

Joy was a total pet, with no health testing done on the parents.

I have done some research, along with living with Joy for 15 years, but only can come up with blurbs about teh different health issues associcated with the breed. Any info, or links to good sites, would be great.

Thanks a bunch!!!!!

Kory

[Cassiepeia]

Going to a reputable breeder this time will count for a lot as far as health is concerned. Reputable breeders not only test all their dogs for genetic problems but they have a full background on each dog and know whether any animals in their dog's history have suffered anything nasty. So you are highly unlikely to have any problems with health if you go to a reputable breeder.
I say highly 'unlikely' because these are still living creatures we're talking about and health problems can happen even in the best bred animals. But the chances are seriously reduced in a reputabley bred animal.

Here is the breeder referral list from the ESS parent club in America (I'm assuming that's where you're located...if not, do a google search for the ESS club in your country). http://www.essfta.org/BERPList_By_State.pdf
And the actual club site ESSFTA Home Page
Using this site is the best way to find a pup. I really wouldn't recommend finding one any other way. You want a reputable breeder not a backyard breeder (which is where your last ESS, Joy, came from).

As far as the "rage syndrome" is concerned. I think this is a good article to read. Rage Syndrome Article .

Cass.

[Crespin]

thank you. I looked at some of the sites, and also picked up the newest version of Dogs In Canada - the annual.

[SpringerLover]

There are many health problems in every breed.

It depends on what you're looking for in a dog as to what kind of breeder you're looking for.

All responsible breeders will test for Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and CERF their dogs yearly. Where it gets tricky is... all dogs should be PRA-DNA tested unless cleared by parentage. Don't let an affected dog scare you, I have one. She's eight years old, and while affected, has not become afflicted yet (does not show clinical signs) and actually might never. In field dogs, you will want to know your dog is PFK clear, maybe carrier.

How to Find English Springer Spaniel Puppies For Sale is an excellent resource and if you would like some breeders to look at or be in contact with, let me know...

[Estie]

We have two black & white English Springer Spaniels. They are fantastic dogs! We just fostered another one last week and he was adopted in 7 days. They are from the English Springer Rescue and they are fantastic and smart dogs. They do not have health issues, they do not have behavioural issues, and they are 3 & 4 years old. There were doubts at first when thinking about a Rescue Springer - health, behavioural, etc. etc., then we decided we'd rather give a few years if that was the case, to a dog who needed a home, then go to a breeder.

We had a liver & white ESS for 13 years and we never had any health issues with her.