Welsh Springer Spaniel
Country/Date of Origin: Great Britain/1500s
One of the group of spaniels that works before the gun "springing" or flushing birds for the hunter. The ancestors of this breed are thought to have been brought to England with the Gauls in pre-Roman times. Its similarity to the Brittany Spaniel is evidence for this theory. Until 1900 it was little seen outside of Wales. Originally shown as a Welsh Cocker, it was granted separate breed status in England in 1902 and shown as the Welsh Springer Spaniel. A breed club was formed in the United States in 1960 to promote the interests of the Welsh Springer.
Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns
Back to TopWelsh Cocker, Starter
AKC Group: Sporting
Breed Club: The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America, Inc.
Rescue Club: Shannon Gandee, (304) 373-0260, Virginia (heatherstone@wirefire.com)
Back to TopBody Type:
- Similar to the English Springer Spaniel but shorter and more lightly built
- Height: 18-19 inches (at shoulder)
- Weight: 35-45 pounds
- The tail is always docked to two thirds of the original length
- The fringed ears are small and hang close to the head. They are not altered
Personality:
- The merry ways of the spaniel are firmly fixed in this Welsh charmer. It is hard to resist the loving attention a Welsh Springer will lavish on you
- Ideal playmate for children of all ages
- Gentle, although able to take correction better than the other spaniels which fold under criticism
- Willing to please and moderately intelligent
Coat:
- The flat, straight coat is thick and silky
- The only allowed color is dark rich red and white
- Moderate grooming required
Health Concerns:
- Hip dysplasia
- Subject to epilepsy
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Tasty Tidbits:
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