Welsh Springer Spaniel
Temperament:
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a British dog breed recognized by the FCI. It belongs to the guard, search and water dogs. The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a very active and intelligent dog. It is suitable as both a hunting dog and a family dog. It has a very pleasant and peaceful nature.
Characteristics
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a symmetrical and fairly compact dog. It has a strong build. It reaches a weight of 15 kg. Males reach a shoulder height of up to 48 cm, females up to 46 cm.
The muzzle of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is angular. The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped and brown. The ears are set low and hang pointedly on the head. The coat of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is of medium length, dense and has a silky sheen.
The rump and legs are white. The outer coat is dark red. The hair on the legs, belly, chest and ears is denser than on the rest of the body.
The nature of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is gentle and sociable. It has a balanced nature and is very intelligent. It has a friendly disposition and obeys its owner without any problems. In addition, the Welsh Springer Spaniel has a pronounced hunting instinct. It also has a particularly sensitive sense of smell. However, some dogs tend to be slightly stubborn.
It is important to shear the Welsh Springer Spaniel regularly, approximately every two months. This applies above all to the paws. The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a natural play instinct. It is particularly keen to fetch and is an enthusiastic swimmer. Extensive walks should be planned daily.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel loves company and is a loyal family dog. You should not leave him alone too often and should not keep him in a kennel.
His character demands varied activities and playful tasks. He needs to be able to let off steam and work his brain.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is easy to train. It is very docile and obedient. He learns quickly. His hunting instinct is not an obstacle. Training should be consistent and not too strict.
Special dog toys help to keep your Welsh Springer Spaniel busy. You should also practice dog sports. Agility or dog dancing are particularly suitable here. You can also organize tracking or hunting tests.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
Regular trimming is part of the Welsh Springer Spaniel's grooming routine. This is important so that the long coat does not become matted. The eye area is also kept free. It is also important to trim the fur on the paws so that it does not get in the way. The ears, neck and tail should also be kept free.
When buying a Welsh Springer Spaniel, it is important to contact a reputable breeder. This breeder should also have the necessary papers. He should have passed the usual health tests. However, there are also hereditary diseases. These include hip dysplasia, for example. Eye diseases are also not uncommon.
Other typical diseases of Welsh Springer Spaniels are familial nephropathy or canine fucosidosis. As a rule, however, these are rather harmless diseases.
In any case, you should schedule a visit to the vet once a year. The animal will be thoroughly checked here.
Regular grooming also includes brushing your Welsh Springer Spaniel thoroughly several times a week. This removes dead hair and prevents matting. It also gives the coat a silky shine.
The eyes and ears of the Welsh Springer Spaniel should also be cleaned regularly. The best way to do this is with a soft, lint-free cloth and some lukewarm water. It is best to clean their paws after every walk. This removes dirt and stones. This prevents small wounds and infections.
Teeth also need to be cleaned regularly. You can do this with a special dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Alternatively, you can also give your dog special chews for their teeth, bones or air-dried treats such as chews or scallops.
Suitable accessories
One important accessory for your Welsh Springer Spaniel is a dog basket. This offers the dog a place to retreat to and serves as a place to sleep. It also needs a food and water bowl for feeding.
You should buy a mild dog shampoo and a special dog brush to be able to groom your dog sufficiently. A massage glove is also helpful to pamper your dog. This way you can care for the coat at the same time.
For the teeth you need a dog toothbrush and a dog toothpaste.
You should also have a small first-aid kit. These should include tick tweezers. Flea powder and paw balm are also important. You can also buy a pair of claw clippers.
Your Welsh Springer Spaniel also needs a collar or harness. You can also put a flea collar on your dog. This will protect him from flea infestation. You will also need a dog lead. This can be a sturdy leather lead or a retractable lead.
You will also need a transport box for transportation in the car. A grille is also recommended to separate it from the passenger compartment. Also equip the space with blankets. Always have a towel ready to dry your Welsh Springer Spaniel after a rain shower or a bath.
Finally, you'll need some toys. Try out a wide variety of utensils such as a ball, a frisbee or chewing ropes. Treats and chewing bones should also always be to hand.
Origin & History
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is one of the oldest hunting dog breeds in Great Britain. The breed was mainly bred in Wales. It has existed for around 400 years. The Welsh Springer Spaniel was officially recognized by the Kennel Club Committee at the beginning of the 19th century. The Welsh Springer Spaniel is considered the progenitor of almost all spaniels.
One of its original tasks was to drive game into nets or into the open and thus prepare it for the hunt. Today, its tasks are rummaging and retrieving. The breed is also frequently found in dog sports.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel has always been bred as a retrieving dog. It was also bred for use in rough and hilly terrain. It is also excellent for water work. It was never bred for beauty.
Its name is derived from the English expression "They spring game into open", which means "With its powerful leaps it drives game out of cover". It is closely related to the English Springer Spaniel. Overall, the breed is rather rare today.
Especially in Germany, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is rather unknown. There are only around 20 to 50 puppies per year. The Jagdspaniel-Klub and the Spaniel-Club Deutschland are responsible for this.
