What defining action gave the English Springer Spaniel breed its name?
Answer
Springing game from dense cover to flush it into the air
The definitive purpose that established the breed's name involved their specialized hunting technique. They were required to work ahead of the shooter, using their energy and drive to flush or 'spring' hidden game, such as pheasants or woodcock, out of thick cover so that the shooter could take a clean shot. This necessity for flushing dictated much of the breed's inherent high-energy temperament and intelligence developed over generations.

Related Questions
What defining action gave the English Springer Spaniel breed its name?How were Spaniels categorized geographically in England before specialized standards emerged?What was the sole basis distinguishing Springers from Cockers prior to official breed standardization?In what year did The Kennel Club officially separate the Springer Spaniel breed from the Cocker Spaniel?Which influential breeder is credited with shaping the conformation and coat of the modern English Springer Spaniel?When did the American Kennel Club (AKC) formally grant recognition to the English Springer Spaniel breed?What defines the divergence between modern Field/Working Lines and Show/Conformation Lines?What trait distinguishes Field-bred Springer Spaniels in build compared to Show lines?What was the foundational focus established by the Buckinghams family in the 18th century?What core traits, despite line specialization, remain central to the English Springer Spaniel's heritage?What was the initial, ancestral split among Spaniels based on, before size differentiation?