What does springer mean?
A springer is most commonly a spaniel bred for the demanding work of finding game birds and driving them from dense vegetation. English Springer Spaniels and Welsh Springer Spaniels are both lively, athletic gundogs, although the Welsh variety is generally the larger of the two. The name reflects the dog's traditional role: it works into cover, springs forward in search of birds, and flushes them into the open for a hunter. In older or more literary usage, “springer” can simply mean an animal or person that springs or leaps, but that sense is uncommon today. The word is useful to anyone interested in gundogs or sporting breeds because it identifies a particular kind of spaniel defined by its specialized hunting behavior rather than merely by appearance or ancestry.
nounA small, long-legged spaniel bred to hunt and flush game birds from dense cover. The term may also refer to an animal or person that springs or leaps.
- A small, long-legged spaniel bred to hunt and flush game birds from cover, especially the English and Welsh Springer Spaniels.
- Something that springs or leaps, especially an animal.
"The springer worked through the tall reeds, flushing a startled pheasant into the open field."
"Their English springer spaniel eagerly searched the hedgerows for rabbits."
"The hart bounded over the fence like a springer."
Pluralized with the ordinary suffix; “springers” may refer to several dogs of this type or to several animals or people that spring.
"Two springers searched the rough grass on either side of the path."
Named for its job, a springer spaniel springs into cover to drive game birds out where hunters can see them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does springer come from?
“Springer” is formed from “spring” and the suffix “-er,” literally suggesting one that springs. The type of spaniel known as a springer received this name from its habit of searching energetically and springing into cover while hunting. “Spaniel” itself comes through Old French from a Latin term meaning “Spanish,” referring historically to dogs associated with Spain.
How springer is actually used
In contemporary usage, the word most often denotes a Springer Spaniel. English Springer Spaniels and Welsh Springer Spaniels are distinct breeds, with the Welsh breed generally larger and more heavily built.
Easily confused with springer
Spaniel is the broader group of hunting and companion dogs, while a springer is a particular type bred especially to seek and flush game from cover.