Springador – Everything You Need to Know About This Amazing Mixed Breed

The Springador is a designer dog that has gained popularity for its desirable traits inherited from both pedigree parents. Intelligent, loyal, and able to bond deeply with its owner, this breed is beloved by many.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Springador so special.

A Springador is an energetic, intelligent, and friendly designer dog breed that came into existence by crossing the Springer Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever.

It’s 18-24 inches in height, has black to golden brown coat, and weighs around 50-90 pounds. They require 2-4 cups of kibble and a half-hour walk daily to live a happy and healthy lifespan of around 10-14 years.

This article will provide all the information about the Springador. If you are considering adding a wonderful dog like Springador to your family, it is essential to understand the breed thoroughly.

History of Springador and Its Parent Breeds

The Springador is a relatively new designer dog, combining the best traits of the popular Labrador Retriever and Springer Spaniel.

Appearing in the late 20th century, they have quickly become lovable companion dogs due to their intelligence, energy, and loyalty – just like the Spocker Spaniel mix (of Cocker Spaniel and Springer).

It’s important to understand both its parent breeds before you bring one of these designer dogs into your life.

Labrador Retriever

The Springador, with its distinct personality and looks, has a genetic background traced to the beloved Labrador Retriever.

Known for being energetic, intelligent, and loving pets, Labradors adapt well to both families and individual dog owners when their needs are met.

Not only are they great companions, but they’re also valued as therapy or hunting dogs because of their intelligence, obedience, and pleasant temperaments.

They are bred to retrieve waterfowl during bird hunting expeditions, weigh between 50 and 80 pounds, and come in a range of coat colors like golden, chocolate, and black.

These yellow dogs need daily exercise and playtime to stay physically and mentally healthy.

Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel boasts a stunning double coat that is available in a range of colors, including white with black or liver markings and tricolor or lemon with white.

These dogs typically weigh between 40 to 60 pounds. They’re one of our favorite English dog breeds!

Springer Spaniel is an energetic breed that needs regular physical activity to maintain its playful and cheerful nature.

These black and white dogs are affectionate and enjoy spending time with their owners, but they also require ample opportunities to run and play outside.

The Appearance of a Springador

Unlike purebred dogs, the appearance of the Springador can vary greatly, as they are the cross of Springer Spaniels and Labrador. However, they typically have a medium to large build and a muscular body. 

Color and Coat

The Springador has a coat that is typically black, gold, or brown. Some white markings inherited from the Springer Spaniel may appear on their chest.

The medium-length double coat provides insulation and protection from all weather, meaning they are not restricted to just hot or cool climates.

Regular grooming will ensure their coat remains healthy, soft, and shiny. With proper care, your Springador’s coat will stay looking wonderful.

Shape

The Springador is known for its friendly and expressive face, with big round eyes, and floppy ears resembling both the Springer Spaniel and Labrador Retriever.

It has an athletic build with a powerful hind end and muscular legs giving it an attractive look. Its well-proportioned body makes it an appealing canine companion.

Size

Springadors typically range in height from 18-24 inches, though size can vary depending on which parent breed they most closely resemble. Some may be larger or smaller due to genetic factors.

Weight

The weight of a Springador can vary, with most falling between 50-90 pounds. This is dependent on gender, genetics, and overall health.

It’s important to monitor their weight throughout their lifetime, as the healthy range will depend on size, age, and other individual factors.

Lifespan of Springadors

The lifespan of a Springador is typically 10 to 14 years. This is an average lifespan for a dog of this size and is considered relatively long compared to other breeds. This is a similar lifespan to other labrador mixes, such as the Pitbull Lab mix.

Temperament of Springador as Mixed Breed Dog

Springadors are affectionate and obedient dogs that make excellent family pets and working dogs. They inherit a somewhat sensitive personality from their Springer Spaniel heritage and can become nervous or cower when yelled at or mistreated (which you, of course, shouldn’t do). 

It is important to train and socialize Springadors with kindness and patience and to treat them with love and respect from the beginning to establish a strong bond.

Springadors are a bundle of joy and love to be around their owners and explore. Playful and energetic, they need regular outdoor activities to maintain physical and mental health.

They also benefit from puzzle toys as a way to train their intelligent brains and keep them occupied. Devoted family companions, they thrive in lively environments with plenty of outlets for exercise and play.

They bring enthusiasm and delight wherever they go – an ideal addition to any family.

Separation Anxiety

This breed can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. They thrive in households where they are included in daily activities and have plenty of opportunities for exercise and play.

Feeding Requirements of the Springador

The Springador is a highly active and energetic breed that requires a balanced and nutritious diet to grow big and strong. As a Springador is a cross between the Springer Spaniel and Labrador Retriever, this breed has a large appetite and can be prone to overeating.

Carefully measure and control the food you give your dog to maintain a healthy weight. Choosing to go with a fresh dog food provider could be a great choice. This nutritious food is formulated by a canine nutritionist and many companies pre-portion the food specifically for your doggo which can help with weight control.

Canned and dry food can also be incorporated into their diet for variety, but be sure to adjust the amount of dry food accordingly to avoid overeating.

Be mindful of treats, as these can quickly add up and contribute to weight gain. Consider using low-calorie treats for training and reduce the food given if necessary.

Fruit and veggies such as pineapple, zucchini, strawberries, and Brussels sprouts can make great alternatives to shop-bought treats.

Raw food diets are also an option for those who want complete control over the ingredients and amounts fed. However, this type of diet requires more effort and preparation.

To ensure your Springador is receiving the best nutrition, it’s essential to consult with a veterinarian who can evaluate their dietary requirements and provide appropriate feeding tips.

Common Health Problems of a Springador

Every living thing has certain issues with its health. This is due to various reasons and factors. Dogs, according to their breed, have particular predominant problems. Following are some of the health concerns of the Springador dogs.

Primary Health Concerns

The most prevalent and often found health issues are primary health concerns. Springador puppies may acquire these health concerns from either of their parents, like Springer spaniels or labrador retrievers.

Health Problems Due to Labrador Parents’

From its Labrador parent, the Springador can have an increased tendency towards hip and elbow dysplasia. In this condition, the ball and socket joint of the hip bones wear out, typically in older age. 

Health Problems Due to Springer Parent

The Springador is prone to epilepsy, as well as the development of cataracts in its eyes with age. As with all dogs, regardless of breed, they may be affected by various health problems.

Thus it is important that owners maintain proper health care when owning a Springador.

Other Potential Health Issues

Mixed-breed dogs may be prone to heart issues, skin disorders, bad teeth, ear infections, and more. To ensure your canine companion remains healthy, get regular check-ups at the vet and feed them a balanced diet.

Here you can find out how often you should take your dog to the vet.

When choosing a pup, seek out an experienced breeder who can provide evidence of the parent’s health – this will give you an idea of what your pup may face in their lifetime. Though there are no guarantees, taking this precautionary measure is essential.

Exercise Needs of Springador

The Springador is an energetic breed that requires plenty of physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

This mixed breed, created by uniting a Springer Spaniel with a Labrador Retriever, was originally bred for hunting and working the fields. Therefore, they have high energy levels and enjoy both dry land activities as well as water sports They might even inherit the webbed feet of their Labrador parent).

To meet their needs, it is advised to give them at least an hour of exercise a day, such as walks, jogs, and playtime. However, for optimal physical and mental well-being, aim to provide more than just an hour of activity every day.

It’s important to note that these dogs need to be better suited for small urban spaces and need plenty of room to run and play. A large backyard is highly recommended, and your pet will benefit from a variety of exercise activities, including long walks, vigorous runs, and interludes of fetching (try a ball launcher for extra ease)!

Owning a Springador is not for everyone, as these dogs require an active family willing to provide them with the daily physical and mental stimulation they need.

If you are looking for a dog that can keep up with you and your active lifestyle, then the Springador may be the perfect breed for you.

Grooming Needs of Springador

The Springador has moderate shedding and requires regular brushing and bathing to keep its coat shiny and healthy. To maintain an attractive look, brush at least once a week and bathe regularly.

You should also trim nails and check ears for parasites or wax buildup. Taking the time to groom your Springador will keep it looking its best. Try getting a shampoo for itchy skin to prevent their skin from becoming dry during bathing sessions.

Training the Springador

Springadors are not just intelligent but also known for being incredibly easy to train. Their eagerness to please their owners and positive responses from rewards such as treats or compliments make them an ideal breed for any household.

You must start training and socializing your puppy early to prevent potential shyness or nervous behavior down the line.

Basic obedience training is a must for the Springador, as they can be strong-willed and need to be taught to obey commands. They also benefit from advanced training, such as agility and obedience competitions, as this provides them with mental stimulation and helps keep them physically fit.

Do Springadors Make Good Guard Dogs?

Not really. They may be great watchdogs, but they don’t have the aggressive tendencies needed for guarding. Springadors are friendly, sociable dogs that tend to welcome strangers like old friends, making them ill-suited for the role of a guard dog.

If protection is what you’re after, consider a breed specifically bred and trained for that purpose instead. You could even go for one of the scariest-looking dog breeds.

Do Springadors Get Along With Other Pets?

The Springador is a friendly and social breed that can get along with other pets, but they might have a prey drive due to their hunting dog heritage.

It is important to introduce them to other animals at a young age and to supervise their interactions to ensure everyone gets along. 

With proper socialization and training, the Springador can become a good friend to other dogs and even cats (who they don’t necessarily hate!), but caution should be taken when introducing them to smaller animals.

Pros and Cons of Springadors

Springadors come with their own set of pros and cons that potential owners should consider before deciding if the breed is right for them.

Pros:

• Highly intelligent and friendly personality
• Great retrieving and hunting skills
• Easy to train due to obedience and responsiveness

Cons:

• Prone to above-average shedding
• Not suitable for long periods of being left alone; suffers from separation anxiety.
• Must be carefully introduced to children and pets to ensure a positive relationship.

How Much Does a Springador Cost?

The cost of owning a Springador is more than just the price of the pup, ranging from $200 to $900. Expect additional expenses for obedience and hunting training. Consider your budget when evaluating this investment.

A high-quality diet, indestructible toys, grooming, professional training, and licensing fees all factor into the estimated $1000-$1100 annual cost of owning a Springador. Feeding your pup with good food is key to their health and well-being – but it can be pricey.

When considering the cost of ownership for a Springador, regular vet check-ups and potential medical bills should be taken into account.

Dog insurance can help provide financial protection against unexpected vet expenses, so if it’s available in your area, it may be worth investing in.

Are You the Best Dog Owner for Springador?

The Springador is an ideal pet for those seeking a loyal, spirited, and loving companion. These high-energy pups possess friendly personalities and intelligence and need regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy.

Their adaptability makes them great family dogs or watchdogs regardless of their living situation. If you’re in search of a loving, eager-to-please pup, the Springador might be just perfect for you.