Cancer is the leading cause of death in English Springer Spaniels, accounting for roughly 27% of all deaths in the breed. With an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years, Springers are generally a hardy breed, but they carry genetic predispositions to several serious conditions that owners should understand.
Cancer Is the Top Cause of Death
About one in four English Springer Spaniels dies from some form of cancer. The breed faces elevated risk for several specific tumor types. Mammary tumors are a major concern: Springer Spaniels develop them at nearly three times the rate of dogs overall, with researchers identifying links to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the same genes associated with breast cancer in humans. Spaying before the first heat cycle significantly reduces this risk.
Lymphoma also appears at higher-than-expected rates in the breed, particularly in certain age ranges. Springer Spaniels additionally show some predisposition to anal sac gland carcinoma, a relatively uncommon cancer of the glands near the anus that can be aggressive if not caught early. Signs of cancer in Springers vary by type but commonly include unexplained lumps, sudden weight loss, lethargy, and changes in appetite or bathroom habits.
Autoimmune Diseases
English Springer Spaniels are recognized as a breed predisposed to immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), a condition where the immune system destroys its own red blood cells. It most commonly strikes middle-aged dogs and affects females more often than males. Symptoms come on quickly: pale gums, dark-colored urine, sudden weakness, and rapid breathing. IMHA can be life-threatening and often requires emergency veterinary care, including blood transfusions in severe cases.
A Breed-Specific Enzyme Deficiency
Springer Spaniels carry an inherited condition called phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency, passed down as a recessive trait. Dogs with this condition have only 8 to 20% of the normal enzyme activity in their red blood cells, which causes chronic destruction of those cells and periodic crises where symptoms suddenly worsen. Affected dogs may also develop muscle wasting over time. A DNA test can identify carriers, so responsible breeders screen for it before mating.
Joint Problems and Mobility
Joint disease doesn’t typically kill Springer Spaniels directly, but it significantly affects quality of life in older dogs and is sometimes a factor in the decision to euthanize. Data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, based on over 20,000 hip evaluations, shows that 12.5% of English Springer Spaniels have some degree of hip dysplasia. Elbow dysplasia rates are even higher at 16%. Most cases are mild, but moderate to severe dysplasia can cause chronic pain, limping, and difficulty with stairs or getting up from rest.
Keeping your Springer at a healthy weight is the single most effective way to protect their joints. Extra pounds accelerate cartilage breakdown and worsen pain from existing dysplasia.
Heart Disease in Older Springers
Degenerative valve disease, where the heart’s mitral valve gradually loses its seal and allows blood to leak backward, is common in dogs over eight years old. While small breeds are most at risk, Cocker Spaniels and other spaniel types do appear on the predisposed list. The condition develops slowly. A veterinarian can often hear a heart murmur months or even years before any outward signs appear. Early symptoms are easy to miss because they look like normal aging: less energy, slower on walks, occasional coughing. Dogs diagnosed early often live comfortably for years with monitoring and medication when needed.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Springer Spaniels are prone to an adult-onset form of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a genetic condition that gradually destroys the light-sensing cells at the back of the eye. It’s not painful, but it leads to complete blindness over time. Dogs typically start losing their night vision first, bumping into things in dim light or hesitating on evening walks. A DNA test can identify affected dogs and carriers, and the breed’s parent club recommends both genetic testing and regular eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist.
What Health Screening Looks Like
The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association, working with the OFA’s Canine Health Information Center, recommends a specific set of health clearances before breeding: hip and elbow X-rays, genetic testing for PRA, an eye exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, and submission of a DNA sample to the OFA bank. If you’re buying a puppy, asking for documentation of these tests is one of the most practical things you can do to reduce the odds of serious inherited disease.
For Springers already in your home, awareness matters most. Regular veterinary checkups catch heart murmurs, lumps, and joint changes early, when they’re most manageable. Spaying females before their first heat cycle cuts mammary tumor risk dramatically. And because this breed is prone to conditions with sudden onset, like IMHA, knowing the warning signs of pale gums, dark urine, and sudden lethargy can make the difference between a close call and a tragedy.