Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a very old breed of hunting dog, bred before the advent of gun sports. Its instinct was originally to "spring"� waterfowl toward a net, or into the air for a falcon to catch. Because of this instinct, it will rarely work outside good gun range. The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a bit smaller than the English, and typically has a red and white coat. This dog is sturdy, strong and compact. It possesses an exceptional scenting ability and easily maneuvers in various difficult terrains such as swamp and thorny underbrush. The hindquarters in particular are well-muscled and substantial of bone. The back is just slightly longer than the height; this combined with the heaviness of the hindquarters give the dog a long appearance, rather than square. The Welsh Springer Spaniel stands an average 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder. It has a well-developed musculature and the stamina to work all day in the field. Its ribs are well-sprung, allowing for good lung capacity. It may have dewclaws removed and tail docked. The ears are large and pendulous, wide and rounded at the ends. The eyes are oval, soft in expression and are dark brown. The coat of the Welsh Springer is of medium length, straight and flat. The color is a deep, rich red and white, in any pattern. Ears, tail, underside, and legs are lightly feathered. It is soft to the touch, and is not curly or wavy. It is very thick and has a pronounced water-proof quality, and deflects dirt and debris. It is thought that the ancestor dogs of all the modern hunting and gun dogs were domesticated by 7000 BC. Around the coastlines of what is now Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Wales and Cornwall, ancient man hunted accompanied by these dogs. By the Mesolithic Age, these dogs were essential partners in the procuring of food for survival. The Welsh Springer is a direct descendant of the "Agassian"� hunting dog, used by the native Celtic tribes of Roman Britain by 300 BC. It is one of the most ancient of the modern hunting breeds. With the Renaissance era comes documentation of a British dog called the "Land Spaniel"� that matches the description of the Welsh Springer type. Tapestries of the time depict a red and white hunting spaniel. The breed in its present form peaked in popularity in the 17th century, when it was favored by nobility for hunting waterfowl, and it was called the "Welsh Spaniel"� or the "Welsh Cocker."� But with the 18th century came the development of various new spaniels such as the English Springer Spaniel, and by then the Welsh Springer was rarely seen. (Many historians believe that the Welsh Springer and the Brittany Spaniel share very similar ancestry.) In the late 19th century the popularity of Darwin's theory of evolution coincided with a revival of interest in specialized breeding of working dogs. This resulted in a rediscovery of the Welsh Springer Spaniel as a valuable hunting dog; in the following decades it was shown in the same class as the English Springer Spaniel. But in 1902 the Kennel Club recognized it as a distinct breed and after that time breeding programs emphasized the traits which differentiate it from the English Springer. Its population and popularity steadily increased, spreading into North America, where the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1906. But two world wars decimated hunting tradition and dog breeds. It is believed that by the 1950's, there were no Welsh Springer Spaniels left in the United States. But devotees imported breeding stock and established a breed club in the U.S. in 1961. The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a loyal, affectionate nature and can make an exceptional family companion. It is not given to excessive barking, but will alert the household to approaching visitors. It was bred to be a working dog, and has a moderate to high need for daily vigorous exercise. Without this outlet, it may become neurotic and destructive. A fenced yard is ideal for the Welsh Springer, with the addition of daily walks outside the home territory an activity essential for mental health in an active dog. This breed should be leashed during walks, as the strong hunting instinct could cause it to bolt after prey into traffic. The coat of the Welsh Springer Spaniel deflects weather, mud and debris and stays fairly clean. However, it should be brushed several times a week to prevent matting, which can become a source of continuous pain for the dog and can instigate skin infections. Brushing also removes debris and parasites from the coat, along with dead fur. The Welsh Springer is a moderate shedder. The ears of the Springer are shaped in such a way that they can easily harbor parasites or infection. They should be checked at minimum once a week for signs of mites or ear infection. Neglecting these conditions can result in permanent damage to the hearing apparatus. The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a fairly healthy breed. Hip dysplasia is occasionally seen, and eye diseases are not uncommon. The average lifespan of this breed is 12 to 14 years. This breed can be reserved with strangers but is generally friendly with everyone. It gets along well with other dogs and with other household pets. It is especially fond of children. The Welsh Springer bonds closely with its owner and likes to "shadow"� its favorite person. The individual dog may not do well with being left alone for long periods of time. Training is fairly easy with this intelligent, inquisitive dog, but if it is bored or distracted, its focus can wander. Fanciers of the breed sometimes speak of its "selective hearing"� in such instances! But with patience, consistency and positive methods, this breed can be trained to a high level of performance. Besides hunting with the Welsh Springer, the owner of this breed may enjoy scenting and tracking trials, water dog competitions, and obedience trials.

Back to iAnimals.com home page Copyright Notice: This website is © . All Rights Reserved.  Click Here to contact us. Link Partners: Animals Go to Heaven | Adopt Me | Salt And Pepper | Singing Animals | Animal Noises