The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a small spaniel with instinctive hunting abilities. The Welsh is a gun dog which is referred to in Wales as a "starter". This is the type of hunting dog which will startle the birds, causing them to fly up for the hunter. Like most of the spaniel breeds, he is dog that is agile and quick to quarter, with a good nose and desire to work for the hunter as a partner in flushing up the birds. The Welsh Spaniel needs to be trained to the gun early to prevent "gun shy" behavior. He is a hunting breed of great perseverance. Of course he possesses a good "nose" and should also be of a fearless nature, enthusiastic and willing to hunt for hours. His numbers are not populous and this has helped to protect his strong hunting instincts. The "show breeders" of the Welsh Springer Spaniel have not placed an over emphasis on coat, or head type, which can sometimes lead to a lessening of the instinctive qualities of the dog. Nor has this dog been over bred because of extreme popularity. Thus this is a spaniel which has retained its natural abilities and can be relied on to perform the task for which he was bred.
The Welsh Springer is somewhat lighter boned and more refined in appearance than his cousin the English Springer Spaniel. The coat is a rich red and white, no other color being accepted. The correct coat will be somewhat weather resistant and naturally clean. The breed is easy to keep with few genetic conditions, although hip dysplasia may be present and there is a small incidence of dogs of this breed being susceptible to epilepsy. The "rage syndrome" which has been reported in the English Springer Spaniel does not appear to be present in the Welsh Springer. He is a compact dog that should have the appearance of symmetry and balance. Tail is docked as a protection against the brush and thickets. Ears are lop and are smaller than those of the English Springer. The legs are strong and the rear quarters should have a good angle of the stifle for ground covering movement which is necessary for the function of the breed. The expression should be kindly and sweet.
The Welsh Springer makes a fine family pet. He is curious and lively, eager and playful. This is not a dog that should be left alone for hours, he needs human companionship and delights in long walks and playtimes with his family. He is easy to train, generally accepting of strangers and not overly noisy or threatening to other dogs in the household. This is a dog which endears himself to his owners after he is grown, but can be boisterous as a puppy and needs to be kept confined to a pen when he cannot be supervised. He is easy to train however and is usually very anxious to please and eager to learn. Once trained he is steadfast and steady both in the field and in the home.
Except for the Clumber, the English Spring Spaniel was developed and originated in England in the nineteenth century. He is thought to be the ancestor of most of the modern spaniels, specifically the Springer Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel. Before any kind of gun was used to hunt, this springer would spring whatever bird the hunter was after into the air and there would be hawks of falcons that would be trained to catch it and bring it to the hunter. So, obviously the main purpose of the breed was to serve as a hunting dog, however has become a very common house pet in more recent days.
A spaniel that has been well-trained and bred has a keen ?wet? or ?dry? nose and has the ability to pick up a scent in any kind of weather. The English Springer Spaniel is a breed of gun dog that has traditionally been used for both flushing and retrieving most type of air fowl, but is also capable of retrieving water fowl as well.
In this breed, there are differences in their coats, depending if they are field-bred dogs or show-bred dogs. The field-bred dogs coats? are shorter and more harsh than the show-bred dogs. The coat does not shed uncontrollable, yet spring and summer tend to be the times when they shed more. Usually their coats are any combination of black and white, liver and white and some amount of tan. The tail of the field bred dog is only shorter by a few inches, however, in comparison to the show dog whose tail is a little longer so that it would provide a "flag" for the hunter. Field-bred dogs are generally selected for their sense of smell, their ability to hunt and how easily trained they are. There is not a lot of emphasis placed on appearance for the field-bred dogs. The show dogs have longer fur and tend to have thicker bones and be heavier than field-bred breed.
This breed can be fed three cups of dry dog food or a meaty product in one to one and a half cans. The show dog males can average approximately eighteen to twenty inches and weigh about fifty to fifty-five pounds. Although this dog is a very attentive and alert hunting dog, they also make a gentle, easy and loving house pet for any family. They are willing and wanting to make their owners happy, as well as energetic and smart.
This is breed is good with children, but because of their high activity and energy level, they need to be carefully watched and be used to children. If they are not use to children or well socialized with them, it is best they do not be around them. The English Springer Spaniel is the fastest of the spaniels because of their long legs. Although each dog is a little bit different, generally this breed needs a lot of activity and exercise with plenty of running around room, mental stimulation and a lot of attention.
This breed is generally okay with other pets, however it is not a good idea for them to be in a household where there is a bird because of their inherent hunting instinct.
May owners enjoy having an English Springer Spaniels as pets because of their cheerful disposition and their playful personality. They will play with pretty much anything they find, so it is best to keep socks, towels, shoes or anything that you do not want chewed up out osf sight. This breed has a tendency to get very attached to their owners, so keeping them occupied is very important.
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