Welsh Springer Spaniel

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The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a cousin of the English Springer Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel, which are the founders of all the English hunting spaniels. At one time the English Springer Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel were born in the same litter.

The Clumber, the Sussex, the Welsh Springer, the Field and the Irish Water all developed from the English Springer / Cocker in Wales, probably before 1300 AD. At one time all of these dogs were considered Cockers" or Cocking Spaniels" and were interbred.

Hunters started to divide the dogs into categories of Land Spaniels and Water Spaniels and the Welsh Springer was labeled as a Land Spaniel. The Welsh Springer Spaniel was given the name Welsh Cocker. In the late 1800s the Welsh was separated into a different breed from the English Springer.

The Welsh Springer was bred to find and spring at the game. Hardy, it was able to work in all types of weather and terrain, had great stamina on the hunt and could work for hours without resting.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a compact, medium-sized, working dog. The slightly rounded head is in proportion to the body with a slightly domed skull. The fairly square muzzle is about as long as the skull, but never longer. The nose is either black or any shade of brown with well-open nostrils.

The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The oval-shaped eyes are dark to medium brown in color. The long ears are set at eye level, hanging close to the cheeks and fringed with hair. The topline is level.

The tail is usually docked and is set at the topline and carried horizontally. Note: docking tails is illegal in most parts of Europe. The soft, flat, straight or wavy coat is medium in length with feathering on the back of the legs, chest and belly, with lighter feathering on the ears and tail. Coat colors come in red and white in any pattern, sometimes with ticking.

Temperament: Playful, Loyal, Friendly, Stubborn, Active, Affectionate

Health Problems: Prone to hip dysplasia, epilepsy and entropion.