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This Spaniel is a lively, active and affectionate breed of gundog. This is a breed of dog which loves being outside and will happily walk and run all day given its stamina then settle well at home with the family after a good days playing!
Related to the English Springer Spaniel, the Welsh version has been around for many years. The name is derived from the role it played in the field, where it would flush or 'spring' birds and fowl from the ground or hedge into the air, where upon the hunter would be able to take the shot. They were recognised as a separate breed away from the English Springer in 1902 when they were accepted by the UK Kennel Club.
Average height to withers: Males around 19 inches, with females around 18 inches.
Average weight: Males and females between 16-20kg.
The overall shape of this dog is slightly longer than it is tall. It has a well muscled body and is compact and robust. The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a coat that is naturally straight, soft in texture, thick, and flat. It is always soft and never wiry. The coat is weatherproof and provides protection from temperature extremes as well as bushes and thorns. There is feathering on the chest, underside of the body, and the back of the legs. This helps protect the dog while swimming, as it is rather fond of being in water! In colour, this breed is a rich chestnut red and white. The tail and ears have light cover of feathering. The ears are typical of a Spaniel, being dropped pedants, and they have dark, round eyes and a black or dark brown nose.
Friendly, quick to learn and willing to please, the adaptable Welsh Springer Spaniel is a great family pet as much as it is happy to work in the field. Stamina and grace are both key words used when describing the action of this dog. It is intelligent and easy to train but can become easily bored without enough stimulation which can lead to mischievous behaviours in the home, usually chewing, especially when left alone for long periods of time. It is a little quieter in nature than its English cousin.
The easy going but energetic nature of this breed makes it a great choice for active families with children. Aggression and/or dominance, while not a common issue with this breed, can be problematic if not handled correctly when the dog is young. However, it is worth remembering that this is the case for many breeds of dog. It is a very biddable dog, and also get one well with other household pets. Its love of water is legendary, so caution needs to be observed when on usual walks in the winter where water it normally swims in may be frozen.
The average lifespan of this breed is 12-15 years and it is a hardy dog on the whole. Hip dysplasia may an issue, but it is no more prone to it than other Spaniels.
Due to the longer coat of Spaniels, daily grooming is preferable. In addition, due to the very nature of these nosey dogs and their love of water and all things muddy, regular shampooing may be necessary. It is also worth clipping back the fur between the pads and on top of the feet as this can become very long and by doing this there is less chance of thorns and burrs getting stuck and making walking uncomfortable for the dog.
This Spaniel, like many others, is a breed which traditionally had it tail docked; however, from 2007 this was effectively banned in the UK, with permitted exceptions, (as defined by the Docking of Working Dogs Tails (England) Regulations 2007 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006). This ban also extends to the showing of some dogs with docked tails, with the exception of dogs who are demonstrating their working skills. This is something to bear in mind when buying a puppy as heavy fines can be imposed if someone is found to be in contravention to these Regulations.
