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Welsh Springer Spaniel - Sporting


Welsh Springer Spaniel

Family:

gundog, spaniel


Area of origin:

Wales


Original function:

bird flushing and retrieving


Average size of male:

Ht: 18-19, Wt: 35-45


Average size of female:

Ht: 17-18, Wt: 35-45


Other names:

none


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    Energy

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    Exercise

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    Playfulness

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    Affection

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    Friendliness towards dogs

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    Friendliness towards other pets

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    Friendliness towards strangers

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    Ease of training

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    Watchdog ability

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    Protection ability

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    Grooming

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    Cold tolerance

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    Heat tolerance

Picture: Yann Arthus-Bertrand/Corbis |

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Welsh Springer Spaniel Temperament

Less exuberant that the English springer, the Welsh springer spaniel is steady and easygoing. She still needs plenty of hard exercise, however, as she loves to hunt for birds. She is extremely devoted to her family, but she is independent in nature.

Welsh Springer Spaniel Care

The Welsh needs daily exercise, which can be met with long walks on leash combined with strenuous games in the yard. She especially likes jaunts afield and makes a good hiking companion. She does best living inside with her family. The coat needs brushing once or twice weekly and also needs occasional scissoring to neaten stragglers.

Welsh Springer Spaniel Health

Major concerns: CHD
Minor concerns: glaucoma, otitis externa, epilepsy
Occasionally seen: cataract
Suggested tests: hip, (eye)
Life span: 12-15 years

Dogs Related to the Welsh Springer Spaniel

American Water Spaniel
Clumber Spaniel
American Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel
Field Spaniel
Irish Water Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel

Interested in the history of the Welsh Springer Spaniel breed?

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A dog identified as a Welsh springer spaniel is mentioned in some of the earliest records of the Laws of Wales, dating around 1300. Whether this dog is the forebear of today's Welsh springer is in dispute, however. Other evidence indicates the possibility that the Welsh springer either developed alongside the English springer or resulted from crosses of English springers to clumber spaniels. Although land spaniels were used in Wales for some time before the Welsh springer emerged as a recognized breed, the early dogs were probably not a uniform lot. At the first dog shows in England, English and Welsh springers were shown together as one breed because the only difference at that time was in their color. The Welsh grew in popularity, and the breed came to America and was recognized by the AKC in 1906. But the breed failed to gain the support she needed, and by the end of World War II she may have totally disappeared from America. New imports and, luckily, new supporters, arrived and the Welsh has since enjoyed a steady, if modest, popularity. Not as flashy in the show ring as the English springer, the Welsh makes up for it in the field. She is an all-purpose, all-terrain hunter with a keen nose that can flush and retrieve over land and water.


Work With a Group

Some animal welfare organizations with Welsh Springer Spaniels ready for adoption:

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