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Welsh Springer Spaniel Breed
The Welsh Springer Spaniel originated in Wales more than 400 years ago for flushing and retrieving game birds. Today the Welsh springer Spaniel is considered an outstanding sporting dog and companion. He is loyal, affectionate and playful. Their coat is straight or flat, silky texture and dense, never wiry or wavy. Curly coat highly undesirable. Forelegs and hindlegs above hocks moderately feathered, ears and tail lightly feathered.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with a distinctive red and white coat and the ability to "start" or "spring" the game. A very keen sporting dog with a superior nose and ability to withstand extremes of heat and cold better than most dogs, he has been known primarily in Wales and the west of England for hundreds of years. 
Today, the Welsh Springer is often mistaken for a Brittany or an English Springer Spaniel. He is generally smaller and slighter in build than the English Springer spaniel. Considered a rare breed in the United States, Welshies are versatile hunters that excel both in water and on land. They are very hardy dogs and are able to cover all kinds of terrains and can work all day long. Having good bird sense, Welsh Springers are natural retrievers.
Very loyal and devoted family member, the Welsh Springer spaniel is not a one-person dog, but is devoted to the entire family. Most Welsh Springers make excellent watchdogs and are very alert to strange noises.
The Welshy is a beautiful dog with a straight or flat, naturally oily, silky outercoat of medium length and a short, downy innercoat. According to the breed standard, wiry, wavy or curly coat is undesirable. Forelegs and hindlegs above hocks are moderately feathered, ears and tail are lightly feathered. The tail is customarily docked or undocked.
Welsh Springer Spaniel Breed Outline
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Country of Origin: | Great Britain |
| FCI Classification: |
Group 8 -Flushing Dogs (with working trial) |
| Utilization: |
Flushing Dog |
| AKC Classification: |
Sporting Group |
| Personality: | Strong, cheerful, very active with friendly disposition. |
| Size: | Medium |
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Height: | 18-19 inches at shoulders (FCI), 17-19 inches at shoulders (AKC) |
| Colors: |
Rich red and white only; any white area may be flecked with red ticking. |
| Average Litter Size: | 5
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| Life Span: | 11 years |
| Grooming Requirements: |
Medium. Brush once a week. Check eyes for infection or trauma and clean them regularly. |
| Shedding: | Little |
| Social skills: |
Welsh Springers get along well with other pets, including cats. Some puppies and even dogs can be shy. Early socializations is very helpful to build your Welsh's confidence around other dogs. |
| Suitability for Children: | Welshies get along wonderfully with children. |
| Exercise Needs: | Medium-High. Although Welsh Springers adapt well to apartment living, they do best in homes where they are provided with a place to run. |
| Train Ability: | Welsh Springers are a joy to train. If not properly trained to work with man as puppies, they may well follow their instincts and hunt on their own as adults. |
| Health & Behavior Issues: | Hip dysplasia, cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy |
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