Welsh Springer Spaniel

Origin & history

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is an old Welsh gundog with a long history as a working flushing and retrieving spaniel, used to put up game birds for the gun and to fetch them back. Red and white spaniels of this kind appear in Welsh records and art going back centuries, and the breed is considered one of the older spaniel types, developed separately from the English Springer Spaniel. It was recognised as a distinct breed around the turn of the twentieth century. Like many gundogs it suffered serious declines in numbers during the two World Wars, and dedicated breeders rebuilt it afterwards from the surviving stock. In Australia the Welsh Springer Spaniel is an uncommon breed, kept by gundog enthusiasts and active families who appreciate its working ability and devoted temperament, so a prospective owner may need to go on a waiting list with a specialist breeder.

Temperament

Welsh Springers are gentle, devoted and sensitive, forming very strong attachments to their families and often being notably loyal to their own people while staying politely reserved with strangers, a more cautious temperament than the typically gregarious English Springer. They are usually excellent with children and get on well with other dogs and household pets, especially when socialised young, reflecting their cooperative gundog background. They are alert and will bark to announce visitors, making reasonable watchdogs, but they are not guard dogs and warm up once they know a person is welcome. They are intelligent, willing and very trainable, eager to work with their handler, though their sensitivity means they need patient, positive methods and do not respond well to harshness. The core behavioural needs are plenty of physical exercise, mental work that uses their nose and brain, and genuine inclusion in family life, since this is a breed that does not thrive when left isolated or under-stimulated.

Appearance

A compact, well-balanced gundog standing roughly 46 to 48 cm at the shoulder, with males a little taller than females, and weighing around 16 to 20 kg. The build is sturdy and muscular, slightly longer than tall, made for endurance in the field rather than speed. The defining feature is the coat colour, always a rich red and white in any pattern, which sets the breed apart at a glance. The coat itself is straight, flat and silky, naturally weatherproof, with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, belly and tail. The head is fairly long with a defined stop, and the ears are comparatively small and set low, hanging close to the cheeks. The whole impression is of a workmanlike, good-natured spaniel.

Suitability

The Welsh Springer is best in a house with a yard and an active owner or family who walk, run or work the dog regularly and can give it a real outlet for its energy and nose. It can suit an active first-time owner who has done their homework, but it is not a breed for sedentary households or for people out of the home all day, as it forms strong bonds and can struggle with prolonged time alone. It tolerates moderate periods on its own best when well exercised and given something to occupy it. The weatherproof coat copes with a range of conditions, but in the Australian climate these dogs need shade, fresh water and exercise scheduled for the cooler parts of hot days, and their drop ears need extra attention if they swim. A loyal, biddable companion for homes that want an active, affectionate gundog.

Health

Typical lifespan is around 12 to 15 years, and the Welsh Springer is generally a sound, healthy breed. Hip dysplasia is the main orthopaedic concern, so look for breeding parents with hip scores from a recognised scheme. Eye conditions occur, including glaucoma and cataracts, and the breed is one in which goniodysgenesis (an abnormality of the eye's drainage angle that predisposes to glaucoma) is worth screening for, so ask about eye examinations and any gonioscopy results on the breeding stock. As with all drop-eared spaniels, the long pendant ears trap moisture and the breed is prone to ear infections (otitis externa), so routine ear checks and cleaning are part of ownership. Hypothyroidism is reported. Choose a breeder who hip-scores their dogs and carries out regular eye testing, and be prepared to keep on top of ear care throughout the dog's life.