Welsh Springer Spaniel Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

By all accounts, Welsh Springer Spaniels are the oldest breed of all of Britain's other Spaniels.

With that said, all Spaniels are believed to originate from the Iberian Peninsula, as the very word spaniel is a derivative of the word Spaniard. Exactly how the dogs migrated from Spain to Wales is still a mystery, but somewhere around the 13th century, the breed split with the recording of the first Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Today, there are several other Spaniels, including:

• Welsh Springer Spaniels

• English Springer Spaniels

• English Cocker Spaniels

Welsh Springers were bred as hunting dogs. Both the Welsh and English Springer Spaniel are hunting companions.

During World War II, the breed drastically dwindled in number. None were actually registered with the American Kennel Club between 1926 and 1948.

However, after the war, responsible breeders began breeding more dog breeds, and populations bounced back. The Welsh Springer Spaniel was one of them.

They continue to be a recognised breed internationally, including the American Kennel Club, the Kennel Club, and numerous breed clubs around the world.

Who are Welsh Springer Spaniel dogs best for?

Welshies love to be around kids, even small children. Since you need to exercise Welsh Springer Spaniels a lot, it is great to simply let them out in the backyard to run around with your kids.

As their heritage lies in hunting, they still make a good hunting companion. They still have the instinct to flush out animals from the bush.

How much grooming does a Welsh Springer Spaniel need?

Grooming Welsh Springer Spaniels can be a labour and time-intensive task, but it is nothing you cannot do yourself at home. In regards to maintenance, consider this breed at a moderate level.

Welsh Springers have a very thick and durable beautiful coat that is soft and silky and lightly feathered ears. Their coat is essentially self-cleaning. It generally only needs brushing and trimming.

However, you should brush your Welshie at least once a week, and after the age of 6 months, their coat needs regular clipping, especially the hair on their floppy ears. The coat is prone to knotting up and getting tangles, so you need to pay close attention to it.

The Springer Spaniel dog breed, in general, is not bad-shedder. However, the biggest trigger causing bad shedding is loneliness.

Do Welsh Springer Spaniel bark much?

In general, the Welsh Springer Spaniel dog is a quiet dog. However, they do like to hear their own voices from time to time and may start to belt out a song.

They will also bark when they get lonely, and this can include leaving them in a room by themselves at night while everyone is sleeping. Instead of waking up and coming to find you, they will call for you to come to get them.

Do Welsh Springer Spaniel bite?

All dogs, especially as a puppy, bite as a form of play. This is not only normal but easily dealt with via training, such as bite inhibition training while still a puppy.

Adult Welshies rarely bite.

However, if an adult Welsh Springer Spaniel dog does bite, it could be a symptom of a significant health issue called Springer Rage or Rage Syndrome. This is believed to be a type of epilepsy. It can be treated with anti-seizure medication. However, this is far more common in English Springer Spaniels.

What is the temperament & personality of a Welsh Springer Spaniel?

The Welshie is a perfect family dog and a great lifelong companion.

They are active, safe, intelligent, and honest. In fact, if more dog breeds were as honest as the Welshie, stock prices for companies making doggo treats would go through the roof. They have a very gentle disposition but can get moody as well.

They are a very amenable breed to train. They are very high energy and extremely intelligent. They will even sing along with their owners, even if their owner is singing in the shower.

They can be impulsive from time to time, as well as a bit stubborn. They do not get aggressive unless there is an underlying cause, which can be health-related.

They are very social and outgoing and do not like to be left alone for very long. Pretty much, if they are awake, they want to be by your side.

The Welshie is also a great dog choice for families that have a cat.

What is the weight & size of a Welsh Springer Spaniel?

In general, the Springer Spaniel dog breed is a small dog breed, and the Welshie breed is smaller than English Springers.

Males average:

• 46 to 48 cm tall

• 18 to 25 kg in weight

Females average:

• 43 to 46 cm tall

• 16 to 20 kg in weight

How much training does a Welsh Springer Spaniel need?

Welshies are very intelligent dogs and are very easy to train. In fact, they love to be trained because Welshies live to satisfy and please their owners. They need mental stimulation, and training is the best way to supply that as well as satisfy their need to please.

Even though they are active dogs, they will get bored with training if they don't feel it is pleasing their owner. Owners really need to have an active role in training for the training to be successful.

You can contact your local Welsh Springer Spaniel club or national breed club to locate credible and skilled trainers.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Welsh Springer Spaniel?

Generally, a very healthy dog, there are a few health issues that the Welshies are prone to, which include:

• Hip dysplasia

• Elbow dysplasia

• Ear infections

• Epilepsy

• Autoimmune thyroiditis

• Eye diseases

  • Entropion

  • Glaucoma

  • Hereditary cataracts

What is the lifespan of a Welsh Springer Spaniel?

The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a relatively long life expectancy, very much like Siberian Huskies. They typically live between 12 to 15 human years or 84 to 105 years old in dog years.

How much should you feed a Welsh Springer Spaniel?

For a Welsh Spaniel, raw food is best, and you should avoid kibble. You should feed an adult dog between 320 to 500 grams of food daily. Be sure to monitor their consumption as these guys tend to get heavy very quickly if they are permitted to each as much as they want.

What is the price of a Welsh Springer Spaniel in Australia?

Welsh Springer Spaniels are among the more expensive dog breeds. They can average around AUD 850, but purebred dogs of dog show quality can easily reach into the thousands. It is best to consult your local Welsh Springer Spaniel club about breeder credentials.