Welsh Springer Spaniel Dog Breed Information

Group

Sporting

Weight

20-25 kg

Height

48-56 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Welsh Springer Spaniel

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Welsh Springer Spaniel, also called Welsh Cocker Spaniels or simply Welshie, is one of the most iconic dogs in the United Kingdom. They are purebred dogs with a history steeped in tradition and sport.

Loyal to a fault and a devoted companion forever, the Welshie is a dog you build a life around and with.

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

By all accounts, Welsh Springer Spaniels are one of the the oldest breeds 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.

What is a Welsh Springer Spaniel breed?

The Springer Spaniel dog breed is most commonly associated with the English Springer Spaniel or English Cocker Spaniel. However, the English breeds are different from the Welsh Springer Spaniel dog.

Springer Spaniels differ from a land Spaniel in hunting technique. A land Spaniel creeps on the ground, while a Springer will leap into bushes to flush out prey, such as birds.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is easily identifiable by its iconic red and white coat and floppy ears. The breed’s coat is waterproof, thornproof, and weatherproof as they were bred to hunt. That, along with having slightly webbed paws and a long nose, makes them very good swimmers.

Welshies are a perfect family dog. They love dog sports, are very energetic dogs, and live to please their owners.

Who is a Welsh Springer Spaniel 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. To this day, they have the instinct to flush out animals from the bush.

Welsh Springer Spaniel Grooming & Shedding

Grooming Welsh Springer Spaniels can be a labour and time-intensive task, but it is nothing you cannot do yourself at home. This breed’s maintenance requirements are moderate.

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.

A Springer Spaniel dog is not a bad shedder. Due to stress, though, and loneliness, they can start to shed heavily.

Do Welsh Springer Spaniels bark a lot?

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.

What is the average weight & height of a Welsh Springer Spaniel dog?

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

Males average:

48 to 56 cm tall
20 to 25 kg in weight

Females average:

45 to 50 cm tall
16 to 22 kg in weight

Are Welsh Springer Spaniels easy to train?

Welshies are very intelligent dogs and are very easy to train. In fact, they love to be trained because Welshies lives 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.

How do Welsh Springer Spaniels behave? A look at their temperament and personality

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.

Does the Welsh Springer Spaniel have any common health issues?

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

Hip Dysplasia: A malformation of the hip joint leading to pain and arthritis.
Elbow Dysplasia: Abnormal development of the elbow joint, which can cause lameness.
Ear Infections: Common due to their floppy ears, requiring regular cleaning.
Skin Infections (Seborrhea): Can lead to irritation and discomfort.
Epilepsy: A neurological condition that can cause seizures.
Autoimmune Thyroiditis: A condition affecting the thyroid gland’s function.
Eye Diseases: Including conditions like entropion and glaucoma.
Hereditary Cataracts: A genetic issue that can lead to vision problems.

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 does a Welsh Springer Spaniel need to be fed?

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, but it depends on your chosen diet.

Be sure to monitor their consumption as these guys tend to get heavy very quickly if they are permitted to each as much they want.

How much can you expect to pay for 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. Always ask your breeder for a health certificate attesting that the puppy’s parents were healthy before and when they mated.

Welsh Springer Spaniel FAQs

Is a Welsh Springer Spaniel ideal for a first-time dog owner?

These dogs are among the best choices for first-time owners. They are obedient (most of the time), affectionate, and very playful. They love to participate in all forms of activity, and they love physical contact. The phrase, man’s best friend, could easily be used to describe these dogs.

Do Welsh Springer Spaniels suffer from separation anxiety?

Yes, as is common among companion dogs. Let’s be honest; you are not likely to see roving packs of Welsh Springer Spaniels ruling the streets. This is one of those dog breeds that are owner focused. They are family dogs, and their entire existence is around humans.

Are Welsh Springer Spaniels hypoallergenic dogs?

No, this is not one of the dog breeds that is considered to be hypoallergenic. They do tend to shed a bit throughout the year, which is typically one of the most significant triggers for pet allergies.

Will a Welsh Springer Spaniel need professional grooming?

A professional groomer will do great things with your Welshie’s coat, but it is not necessary. These are not a low-maintenance breed, but grooming for Welsh Springers is not difficult. It can be time-intensive. If you don’t have the time, a professional groomer is a good choice, but you can do everything yourself.