The short answer
You can adopt an English Springer Spaniel in Melbourne if you can give an active gundog the exercise and company it needs. Set alerts across the main Victorian rescues, be application-ready, and expect questions about your lifestyle. Adoption runs about $350 to $700 for an adult and $500 to $900 for a puppy, all-inclusive, against well into the thousands from a breeder, and the breed is not one of Victoria's restricted breeds. Plan for daily exercise, regular grooming and routine ear care. Give it that and a rescue Springer is a happy, affectionate, devoted family dog.
Why English Springer Spaniels reach Melbourne rescue
English Springer Spaniels and Springer crosses reach Victorian rescue in steady numbers, usually for reasons that have nothing to do with the dog.
Energy and company. This is a working gundog bred to run and search all day. Without enough exercise, mental work and company, it becomes bored and anxious, and an owner who could not keep up surrenders it.
Changes in circumstances. A move, a new baby, illness or financial pressure can mean a much-loved Springer needs a new home, and many come into rescue simply because life changed.
Underestimated upkeep. Some owners did not expect the regular grooming or the ear care a feathered, drop-eared breed needs, and the dog comes into rescue ready for a better-matched, active home.
Where to adopt an English Springer Spaniel in Melbourne
Springers come through general rescue regularly, so a wide alert net and honesty about your lifestyle are the fastest way in. Set listing alerts on every rescue you would consider, and add gundog and spaniel networks. For a fuller directory, see our list of Melbourne rescues and shelters.
1. RSPCA Victoria
The state body runs adoption centres at Burwood East and RSPCA Peninsula at Pearcedale. Active gundogs come through via owner surrender, and every adoption includes desexing, vaccination, microchipping, a vet workup and a behavioural assessment that helps match an energetic dog to the right home. Apply at rspcavic.org.
2. The Lost Dogs' Home
Melbourne's long-established metro shelter, based in North Melbourne with a second facility at Cranbourne. It handles a large intake of stray and surrendered dogs, so a Springer or spaniel cross turns up regularly, always with a behavioural assessment. Adoption includes desexing, vaccination, microchipping and a vet check. Listings at dogshome.com.
3. Lort Smith
Lort Smith runs an Adoption Centre at Campbellfield with a full vet workup behind every dog. A broad mix of breeds means a Springer or Springer cross features from time to time, and the team can talk you through the exercise and grooming a gundog needs. More at lortsmith.com.
4. Save-A-Dog Scheme
A Melbourne-based no-kill rescue running since 1985, with a mix of shelter and foster placements. Because many dogs live in foster homes, the notes on a Springer's energy, training and behaviour with people and other animals tend to be detailed and honest, which helps you judge the fit before you commit. More at saveadog.org.au.
5. Second Chance Animal Rescue
A Victorian foster-based rescue that takes a broad mix of dogs and crosses, including active gundogs that need a busy home. Because dogs live in foster, you get a clear picture of the real temperament and energy before you commit, and the application usually includes a home check. Listings at secondchanceanimalrescue.com.au.
Beyond these, Animal Aid at Coldstream and the Australian Animal Protection Society at Keysborough both rehome dogs including the occasional gundog, and the fastest way to scan many Victorian rescues at once is PetRescue, a national aggregator that lists animals from hundreds of member rescues in one searchable place. Be wary of any group calling itself a Springer rescue that asks for money before you have confirmed a real address, a current adoptable-dog list and charitable status. Browse the current English Springer Spaniels and Springer crosses on the Melbourne English Springer Spaniel listings.
What an English Springer Spaniel costs: adopt versus buy
Adoption is far cheaper at the outset. A rescue fee for an adult English Springer Spaniel through a Melbourne rescue commonly runs about $350 to $700 for an adult, with puppies usually $500 to $900, and that fee already covers desexing, vaccination, microchipping, worm and flea treatment and a vet check.
A purebred Springer puppy from a breeder in Victoria, by contrast, typically runs well into the thousands, with none of that vet work done yet. So adopting is many times cheaper up front, and the dog arrives already vetted and, if you adopt an adult, with a known energy level and temperament.
The ongoing cost is a medium-dog one, with a bit extra for the coat and ears: regular grooming, routine ear cleaning to prevent infections, and good food and vet care. Council registration under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 is a modest yearly cost, reduced for a desexed and microchipped dog, and pet insurance taken out while the dog is young is worth having.
Living with a gundog, and the health picture
The English Springer Spaniel is friendly, affectionate and eager to please, which makes it a joy to train and a devoted family companion. But it is a working gundog: it needs real daily exercise, mental work and company, and it does not do well left alone for long stretches. Give it walks, games, training and a role in the family and it is a happy, biddable dog; leave it bored and under-exercised and it can become anxious and destructive, which is how many reach rescue.
On health the breed is prone to ear infections (the long drop ears trap moisture), to hip issues, and to some inherited eye conditions, and the working lines can be very high-drive. A rescue Springer arrives vet-checked, so ask the rescue what the in-care assessment found, keep up a regular ear-cleaning routine, keep the dog fit and lean, and insure it while it is young.
English Springer Spaniels and Victorian breed law
The English Springer Spaniel is not one of Victoria's restricted breeds, which under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 are the pit bull terrier, dogo argentino, fila brasileiro, japanese tosa and perro de presa canario. A Springer is legal to own and rehome normally, and simply needs to be microchipped and registered with your local council from three months of age, re-registered each year. Any dog of any breed can be declared a dangerous or menacing dog by a council based on its behaviour, but there is no breed-specific restriction on English Springer Spaniels. Check Agriculture Victoria and your council for registration details.
Browse adoptable English Springer Spaniels in Melbourne
Springers come up regularly, so set an alert, and an adult lets you see the energy level before you commit. Browse live Victorian listings now.
See Available Springer Spaniels →If you have been searching “English Springer Spaniel puppies for sale”
Plenty of people arrive here after searching for a Springer puppy to buy, and for this breed adoption has a real advantage: an adult rescue English Springer Spaniel lets you see the energy level and temperament you are taking on, where a puppy is a gamble on an active gundog. The for-sale listings are easy to find, but this popular breed attracts backyard breeding that skips the health testing and early socialisation the breed needs, along with the occasional scam, so a cheap Springer puppy or a deposit request for a dog you have not met is a warning sign rather than a bargain. In Victoria, any advertisement to sell or give away a dog must display the animal's microchip number and a Pet Exchange Register source number, so check that number on the Pet Exchange Register before you pay, and cross-check anything that feels off against Scamwatch.
Adoption costs a fraction of a breeder price and gives a vet-checked dog a home. If you can give an active gundog the exercise and company it needs, register your interest with rescues, be honest about your lifestyle, set alerts, and be patient; the right dog does come up.
Adult or puppy, and is an English Springer Spaniel right for you?
For most adopters an adult is the better choice, because an adult shows you the real energy level, temperament and how it is with people and other animals, where a puppy is a gamble and a lot of work. An adult often has some training in place and a lower adoption fee, and plenty of adult Springers are still as keen as ever for a long walk. A foster-assessed adult matched to an active home is the easiest way into the breed.
An English Springer Spaniel suits an active household that enjoys walks, training and having a dog around most of the day, and that will keep up the grooming and ear care. It is not the dog for a sedentary home or one that is empty for long hours. If you can offer the exercise and company, a rescue Springer is an affectionate, devoted companion. If not, a lower-energy breed will suit you both far better than adopting and surrendering later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I adopt an English Springer Spaniel near me in Melbourne?
Start with the live listings on this page, which pull English Springer Spaniels and Springer crosses from shelters and foster-based rescues across Victoria, then widen out. RSPCA Victoria, the Lost Dogs' Home, Lort Smith, Save-A-Dog Scheme and Second Chance Animal Rescue all rehome dogs including active gundogs, and PetRescue aggregates many smaller Victorian rescues in one place. A Springer or Springer cross comes through regularly, so set listing alerts, have your application ready, and expect a rescue to ask about the exercise and company you can offer.
Why do English Springer Spaniels end up in rescue?
Usually because the breed's energy and need for company were underestimated, not because of anything wrong with the dog. The English Springer Spaniel is an enthusiastic gundog bred to work in the field all day, so without enough exercise and mental work it becomes bored, anxious and sometimes destructive. Others are surrendered after a change in the owner's circumstances, or when the grooming and ear care proved more than expected. Springer crosses appear too. In an active home the breed is a happy, affectionate companion.
How much does it cost to adopt an English Springer Spaniel in Melbourne versus buying one?
Adoption is far cheaper at the outset. A rescue fee for an adult English Springer Spaniel through a Melbourne rescue commonly runs about $350 to $700 for an adult, with puppies usually $500 to $900, and that fee already covers desexing, vaccination, microchipping, worm and flea treatment and a vet check. A purebred Springer puppy from a breeder, by contrast, typically runs well into the thousands, with none of that vet work done yet. The ongoing cost of this breed includes regular grooming, routine ear care and plenty of exercise, so budget your time as well as your money whichever way you get one.
Are English Springer Spaniels a restricted breed in Victoria?
No. The English Springer Spaniel is not one of Victoria's restricted breeds, which are the pit bull terrier, dogo argentino, fila brasileiro, japanese tosa and perro de presa canario. A Springer is legal to own and rehome normally and simply needs to be microchipped and registered with your local council from three months of age. There is no breed-specific restriction on English Springer Spaniels in Victoria. A rescue Springer arrives already desexed and microchipped.
Is an English Springer Spaniel a good first dog?
It can be, for an active owner. The English Springer Spaniel is friendly, affectionate and eager to please, which makes it trainable and a lovely family dog, but it is a working gundog that needs real daily exercise, mental work and company. Left under-exercised or alone too long, it can become anxious and destructive, which is why some end up in rescue. For a household that enjoys long walks, training and having a dog around, it is a rewarding first dog. For a sedentary or often-empty home, it is not the easiest choice.
Are English Springer Spaniels good with children and other pets?
Generally yes. A well-socialised English Springer Spaniel is typically gentle, sociable and playful, and many are excellent with children and other dogs. As a bird-hunting breed it may be interested in smaller pets, so introductions should be careful, and its bouncy enthusiasm means supervision around toddlers so nobody is knocked over. A foster carer who has lived with the individual dog can tell you exactly how it is with children, other dogs and cats.
Should I adopt an adult English Springer Spaniel or a puppy?
For most adopters an adult is the better choice, because an adult shows you its real energy level, temperament and how it is with people and other animals, where a puppy is a gamble and a lot of work. An adult often has some training in place and a lower adoption fee, and plenty of adult Springers still love nothing more than a long walk and a game. A vet-checked, foster-assessed adult matched to an active home is the easiest way into the breed.
Are there free English Springer Spaniels in Melbourne, or ones under $500?
Be careful with free or very cheap English Springer Spaniels. A legitimate rescue charges an adoption fee, commonly $350 to $700 for an adult and $500 to $900 for a puppy, so the lower end lands under the $500 people search for, because that fee part-covers the desexing, vaccination, microchipping and vet check the dog has already had. A Springer advertised free to a good home, or well under a rescue fee, is one of the classic scam and backyard-breeding setups, so treat a bargain as a warning sign and check any seller against the Victorian rules below before paying anything.
I keep seeing English Springer Spaniel puppies for sale. Is adopting really an option?
It is, and for this breed adoption has a real advantage, because an adult rescue English Springer Spaniel lets you see the energy level and temperament you are taking on, where a puppy is a gamble on an active gundog. The for-sale listings are easy to find, but this popular breed attracts backyard breeding and the occasional scam, so a cheap Springer puppy or a deposit request for a dog you have not met is a warning sign rather than a bargain. In Victoria, any advertisement to sell or give away a dog must display the microchip number and a Pet Exchange Register source number, so check that number on the Pet Exchange Register before paying anything. Adoption costs a fraction of a breeder price and gives a vet-checked dog a home.
Keep reading
Adoptable English Springer Spaniels in Melbourne
Live listings with foster carer notes on energy, temperament and training.
Best Dog Rescues in Melbourne
The verified shelters and foster rescues to set alerts with across Victoria.
Registering a Dog in Melbourne
Council registration, microchipping and the Victorian rules for a new dog.
Melbourne Adoption Resources
Guides on adopting, costs, council rules and settling a rescue dog in Melbourne.