Welsh Springer Spaniel

Family: gundog, spaniel

Origin: Wales

Date of Origin: 1600s

Breed For: bird flushing and retrieving

Lifespan:

Recently Used For: bird flushing and retrieving

Avg Size of Male: Height: 18-19 Weight: 35-50

Avg Size of Female: Height:17-18 Weight: 35-50

Temperament:

Less exuberant that the English springer, the Welsh springer spaniel is steady and easygoing. It still needs plenty of hard exercise, however, as it loves to hunt for birds. It is extremely devoted to its family, but it is independent in nature. It is reserved with strangers; some may even be timid.

History:

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 it needed, and by the end of World War II it 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. It is an all-purpose, all-terrain hunter with a keen nose that can flush and retrieve over land and water.

Upkeep:

The Welsh needs daily exercise, which can be met with long walks on leash combined with strenuous games in the yard. It especially likes jaunts afield and makes a good hiking companion. It can live outdoors in temperate climates if given warm shelter, but it does better living inside with its family. The coat needs brushing once or twice weekly and also needs occasional scissoring to neaten stragglers.

Health:

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