Let's talk Welsh Springer Spaniels
If you’re looking for an easy-going and enthusiastic canine companion, with a sunny nature to match their beautiful looks, look no further than the Welsh Springer Spaniel. This charming breed, with their eye-catching silky red and white coats, was originally developed for hunting, but now makes an affectionate pet, whose devotion to their humans knows no bounds. As long as they get the exercise they need, Welsh Springer Spaniel are also known for their calm temperaments at home – not to mention their devotion. They’ll be your one-dog fan club … just as you’ll be theirs.
Official name: Welsh Springer Spaniel
Origins: Wales, United Kingdom
| Drooling tendencies |  |
Warm weather? |  |
| Shedding level |  |
Suited to apartment living? | |
| *Energy Level | moderate | *Friendly pet? |  |
| Compatibility with other pets | |
*Can stay alone? | |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behavior. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socializing your pet as well as covering their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioral needs).
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.
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46 cm
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18 - 25 kg
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48 cm
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16 - 23 kg
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| Baby age | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age | 2 to 12 months |
| Adult age | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature age | 7 to 10 years |
| Senior age | From 10 years |
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Get to know the Welsh Springer Spaniel
All you need to know about the breed
The Welsh Springer Spaniel, or Welshie for short, is a close-to-perfect dog (though we honestly think that about all dogs): the ideal combination of calm and enthusiasm, loyalty and affection, all in a compact – and extremely beautiful – package. All that means this fairly rare breed deserves to be much better known.
Welsh Springer Spaniels were originally developed as hunting dogs, with the stamina and energy to match, and they still need plenty of exercise. They’re adaptable and calm at home though, so can thrive in an apartment, as long as they get plenty of long walks and chances to run about off the lead. Do make sure that those off-the-lead runs are in a safely enclosed space as their prey instinct is still strong. And did we mention that stamina?
Once trained, Welsh Springer Spaniels get on well with children (although like other breeds should never be left alone with them) and are devoted to their human families, often following their humans around like a little canine shadow. These sweet dogs just want to be near you all the time and they do not take well to extended periods on their own. While lavishly affectionate with their own humans, Welsh Springer Spaniels can sometimes be a little reserved, even wary of, strangers – early socialisation will help.
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2 facts about Welsh Springer Spaniels
1. Vine Leaf Ears
Welsh Springer Spaniels may have a lot of characteristics in common with their English Springer Spaniel cousins, but their ears are different: Welsh Springer Spaniels’ low-set ears are smaller and are known for being a distinctive “vine-leaf” shape.
2. Springing into action
Like other “springer” spaniel breeds, Welshies get their name from their technique, honed when they were developed as hunters’ companions, of springing up to flush out game. Nowadays, they’re most likely to use that skill to spring up to show their enthusiasm when you return after a two-minute absence.
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History of the breed
Welsh texts from the Middle Ages depict red and white hunting dogs, and these are thought to be the ancestors of the wonderful breed we know today as the Welsh Springer Spaniel. These charming canines probably date their origins back even further, to ancient times, with references to similar-sounding dogs recorded in British art and literature as far back as 250 BC. They may even have been descendants of the original spaniels from the Iberian Peninsula.
However, Welshies had a long wait for definition as a breed in their own right, separate from their close associate, the slightly larger English Springer Spaniel. The two emerged as separate breeds in the early 20th century.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel was recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club in the UK in 1902 and by the American Kennel Club in 1914.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Welsh Springer Spaniels
1. Body
Medium size build with feathered tail.
2. Coat
Silky flat white coat with red markings.
3. Ears
Low-set ears with feathering.
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Welsh Springer Spaniel
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Caring for your Welsh Springer Spaniel
Grooming, training and exercise tips
Regular brushing is a must to keep that gorgeous coat in perfect condition – it really won’t be a chore, for you, or for your doting dog. Those beautiful ears are part of the Welshie’s charm but they need regular cleaning checking for any sign of infection (large floppy ears block airflow to the ear canal) – look out for redness or the dog pawing at their ears and see your vet if you’re concerned. Welsh Springer Spaniels are also prone to grass awn migration – when grass seeds get stuck, especially in the ears, and then migrate elsewhere, causing sudden discomfort and needing emergency treatment. To avoid this, always check them for stray seeds after walks. Frequent tooth brushing (daily if possible) is essential for good dental hygiene. Their nails should be clipped regularly too. Welsh Springer Spaniels need plenty of exercise (if their reputation is for being calm at home, that’s on condition their exercise needs are met). These intelligent and eager-to-please dogs should be straightforward to train but make sure any food rewards come out of their daily rations, to avoid them becoming overweight. Like other breeds, early socialisation will ensure they are at ease in everyday situations and with other dogs and people they don’t know.
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All about Welsh Springer Spaniels
They do shed quite a bit. While regular grooming will help keep those beautiful locks in check, Welsh Springer Spaniels are probably not the ideal pet for the extremely vacuum-phobic.
Yes, Welsh Springer Spaniels get on well with children, once trained, though like any breed should not be left alone with them. They are known as affectionate and devoted companies to their humans. Just remember: they need plenty of exercise.
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Read more on this topic
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How to adopt a dog
Things to consider before getting a dog
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/