Welsh Springer Spaniel: Welsh Springer Spaniel Temperament, Care and Diet

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Updated on: 04/28/2022

Dogs in the Spaniel family are loved for many reasons. They have long, beautiful coats, and loving personalities, and they keep their families on their toes with their antics. The English Cocker Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel are quite popular dogs, but what about the Welsh Springer Spaniel dog breed?

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Welsh Springer Spaniels, or “Welshies” for short, are a medium-sized breed that was bred to hunt. They are larger than an English Cocker Spaniel but smaller than English Springer Spaniels. Out of all the dogs in the Spaniel family, Welsh Springer Spaniels are some of the rarest. Welshies are a happy-go-lucky breed and are extremely intelligent and loyal. Read on to find out more about them.

Characteristics

Welsh Springer Spaniels are amazing family dogs with lots of energy. Below are the breed traits: ^[1]

Weight	40 to 55 pounds (male); 35 to 50 pounds (female)
Height	18 to 19 inches (male); 17 to 18 inches (female)
Colors and Patterns	always red and white markings, patterns may vary
Lifespan	12 to 15 years
Suitable for	active singles and families, families with children, people looking for a hunting partner, people who work from home or are home often during the day

Breed History

As their name suggests, the Welsh Springer Spaniel hails from the country of Wales. It is believed that they were developed in the 13^th century to be used for hunting. Not too much history is known about this stunning breed, but their hunting skills are unmatched.

Welshies are excellent at retrieving small animals, such as birds. The term “Springer” in their name stems from their hunting technique. They spook the animal, which causes it to spring from its hiding place. Welshies then fetch any game and bring it back to the hunter.

Out of all the dogs in the Spaniel family, Welsh Springers are among the rarest. The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America, a breed club, states that there are only about 300 Welshie puppies that are registered with the American Kennel Club each year. ^[2] They are an AKC-recognized breed.

Interesting Facts

Many people think that a Welsh Springer Spaniel is a variation of an English Springer Spaniel, but they are two different breeds. Welshies have unique red and white coats and a head that is not shaped like any other of the Spaniel breeds. Their heads are more round and dome-like and their muzzles are straight. ^[3]

The Welsh Springer Spaniel temperament is happy and lively. Like most spaniel-type dogs, Welsh Springers enjoy being in the presence of their family. It is not uncommon for them to be “shadow dogs,” meaning they follow their owner if they get up to move to a different room. Because of this, sometimes Welshies can be prone to separation anxiety. They do not enjoy being left alone for long periods. This is something that needs to be strongly considered before bringing a Welsh Springer Spaniel into your home.

Welshies are also known to be great with children, especially children who are a part of their pack. Just remember to always supervise young children around dogs. Sometimes, Welshies can be shy and reserved with strangers and other dogs, so early socialization is a must when they are young.

Temperament and Personality

Photo by Eryk Piotr Munk on Unsplash

Adaptability	4 out of 5
Adapts to apartment living	3 out of 5
Adapts to being alone	2 out of 5
Energy level	4 out of 5
Tolerates cold weather	3 out of 5
Tolerates hot weather	3 out of 5
All-around friendliness	4 out of 5
Affectionate with family	5 out of 5
Kid-friendly	5 out of 5
Dog-friendly	4 out of 5
Cat-friendly	3 out of 5
Friendly with strangers	2 out of 5
Health and grooming	2 out of 5
Shedding	3 out of 5
Drooling	2 out of 5
Easy to groom	3 out of 5

Activity

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is an active breed. These energetic dogs love to explore the outdoors with their family by their side. After all, they are natural hunting dogs and will need to burn off that pent-up energy somehow! You don’t need to be a small game hunter to own a Welsh Springer Spaniel, but just know that they require vigorous exercise and mental stimulation to keep them healthy and happy. They tend to be naturals at dog sports as well.

A Welshie could live in an apartment as long as they get outside to walk and play enough during the day. Ideally, a walk that is at least 40 minutes will suffice. This time can also be broken up into smaller increments. If you have a backyard, many Welshies love to play fetch with tennis balls or other toys. They could also be entertained with a puzzle game to keep their mind sharp.

A fun fact about Welshies is that they have slightly webbed feet. If you use a Welshie as a hunting dog, they can retrieve fallen game from the water. If you find that your Welshie enjoys swimming, that can be a great form of exercise for them. Throw a buoyant toy for them to fetch and watch them have a great time.

Care

There is a lot that goes into caring for any dog. Their diet, grooming needs, and potential health problems need to be considered. Here is some general information about caring for a Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Diet

It is natural for a dog’s diet to change throughout its lifetime. A puppy does not need to eat as much food as an adult dog so their food intake will need to be adjusted as they grow. In general, Welsh Springer Spaniels should be fed high-quality dog food. This food can be purchased or cooked at home in your kitchen.

Some dogs have allergies to certain meats, so keep an eye out for any kind of allergic reaction. When in doubt about your dog’s food, it is best to consult your vet. They will be able to point you in the right direction and provide recommendations based on your dog’s needs.

Grooming

Welshies have beautiful, medium-length, light feathered red and white coats. This silky coat will require weekly grooming to keep them looking their best, but it is easy to do it at home. All they need is a weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush. It is also a good idea to have a metal comb (one meant for dogs) on hand so you can comb through any tangles or mats.

Taking your Welshie to a professional groomer for a haircut is optional. They will be able to recommend the best cut for them, which will likely be just a trim. Welshies should be bathed monthly, ^[4] unless they appear visibly dirty.

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Health Problems

In general, Welshies are healthy dogs. However, they can be prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid problems, and eye disease. Responsible Welshie breeders will test for these conditions. ^[4] Spaniel-type dogs have long ears that can be prone to infection, so they should be inspected regularly. Remember to take your dog to the vet for regular check-ups.

Breeders

If you decide to bring a Welshie into your family, you will more than likely need to purchase one from a reputable breeder. Such a breeder puts the health and well-being of their dogs first. They will be very transparent about the litter’s parents, where the dogs are housed, and any known health problems.

Since Welsh Springer Spaniels are not very common, you may have to travel to a breeder. An excellent resource for finding a breeder is the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America (WSSCA) website. They even have a published code of ethics. A link to their website can be found here. The cost of a Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy depends on their breeding, but they can cost anywhere between $1,200 and $3,500. ^[5]

Adoption and Rescue

Although they are rare, there are still groups that specialize in Welsh Springer Spaniel rescue. The WSSCA even rescues Welshies in need and helps place them in new, loving homes. There is a document on their website that lays out the rescue committee guidelines and the criteria that a new owner would need to meet to adopt one of their rescue Welshies. Also, bear in mind that if you purchase a Welsh Springer from the WSSCA (whether it is from a registered breeder or as a rescue), they will call you periodically to check in on how the dog is adapting to its new life. They may also come to visit your property.

It would be highly unlikely to find a Welsh Springer Spaniel available for adoption at your local animal shelter, but it would not hurt to go take a look. Shelters take in new dogs every day. You never know what breeds you may see!

Conclusion

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a gorgeous and unique breed. They thrive with owners who will participate in an active lifestyle with them and don’t mind that they will follow them everywhere around the house. These dogs love to be included in family adventures and, in turn, they will provide you with a lifetime of loyalty and love.

FAQs

Are Welsh Springer Spaniels good family dogs?

Yes, they are an excellent choice for a family dog. They are known for being extremely loyal to their pack. If you bring a Welshie into your family, get ready for them to latch onto you. They are also great with children.

What is the difference between an English Springer Spaniel and a Welsh Springer Spaniel?

English Springer Spaniels and Welsh Springer Spaniels are two different breeds. In general, Welsh Springers are a bit smaller than their English counterparts. They also have different-shaped heads and coat colors. It is said that Welsh Springer Spaniels are not as outgoing as English Springers as well.

Do Welsh Springer Spaniels bark?

Welshies tend to not be very vocal. They will bark to alert their family, but typically not beyond that. They may also bark if they experience separation anxiety.

Are Welsh Springer Spaniels rare?

Regarding the Spaniel dog family, Welshies are on the rare side. It is estimated that only 300 Welsh Springer Spaniel puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club annually.