Welsh Springer Spaniel Dog Breed Characteristic, Daily and Care Facts

Overall Status

Height 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder

Temperament Happy, Reserved, Upbeat

Weight 35 to 55 pounds

Life Expectancy 12 to 15 years

Coat Color Red, White

Barking Level Medium

Quick Factors

Playfulness
Dog Friendly
Exercise Need
Grooming Needs
Strangers Friendly
Family Affectionate

Daily Care

Grooming Tips

Welsh Springer Spaniels are easy to groom. They require regular brushing several times per week to prevent tangles and mats. During shedding season they may require daily brushing. They only require bathing as needed, which varies based on the activity level of the individual dog.

Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. The heavy ears of the Welsh Springer do not allow for air to circulate, making them prone to infections. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and fight gum disease. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear down the toenails naturally.

Exercise Tips

Welsh Springer Spaniels are athletes and they have loads of energy. They crave running, playing and working. It is essential that they are jogged daily or have an open but fenced in area for playtime.

This breed will happily flush birds from your yard or playfully romp around chasing a tennis ball. With active children, the Welsh Springer Spaniel and the kids will be tuckered out and dosing off on the couch by the end of the night.

This breed is very intelligent and needs to have his mind stimulated as well as his body. Toys that keep the dog thinking are essential for the Welsh Springer Spaniel. Those that hide treats inside are truly beneficial. These toys should be left out whenever the dog is left alone or he can become destructive.

Feeding Tips

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is an energetic fellow so he needs to be fed a diet of dry kibble formulated for active dogs. Dry food is essential to the dog’s oral health and can help to prevent bad breath, gum infections and tooth decay.

TThe Welsh Springer Spaniel should do well on high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval.

Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to gettingoverweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level.

Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

The average life span of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 12 to 15 years. Breed health concerns may include epilepsy, distichiasis,glaucoma,cataracts,progressive retinal atrophyandhip dysplasia.

Trainability

The Welsh Spring Spaniel is one of the easiest breeds to train. He is highly intelligent and thrives on pleasing his people. It is important that all training sessions be kept short and interesting for the dog.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a short attention span when it comes to training sessions so lots of yummy treats are needed to keep his focus on the trainer. Calm and patient trainers will prove to be more successful than harsh and loud ones.

Welsh Springer Spaniels do well in a variety of dog show events. This breed excels in obedience, agility and hunting competitions. Of course, he can also compete in the breed ring.

History

Little is known about the Welsh Springer’s origins, but he’s considered a very old breed, with ancestors dating to Roman Britain. Tapestries from the Renaissance depict spaniels that closely resemble today’s Welsh Springer; similar red-and-white spaniels appear in a few 18th-century portraits. By the 19th century, the dogs were little known, except in the Neath Valley region of southern Wales.

The preponderance of dog shows in the late 19th century brought about renewed interest in the breed, which made an appearance at the first Kennel Club show, held in 1873. They were judged alongside black-and-white spaniels and white English Springer Spaniels. Eventually, the two breeds were separated.

The American Kennel Club recognized the Welsh Springer in 1906, but few people were interested in the breed. By the end of World War II, they were practically non-existent in the United States, until 11 of them were imported in 1949. A dozen years later, the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America was founded. Today, the Welsh Springer remains a well-kept secret, ranking 127th among the breeds registered by the AKC, down from 113th a decade ago.