The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog breed with a silky, red and white coat. It is a versatile and friendly hunting dog, known for its gentle temperament and willingness to work in a team.
General details
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a medium sized dog, with an average weight of 16 to 20 kilograms for males and 16 to 18 kilograms for females. In terms of height, it measures approximately 46 to 48 centimeters at the withers for males and 43 to 46 centimeters for females. Their average life expectancy is between 12 and 14 years. According to the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), the Welsh Springer Spaniel belongs to Group 8, which includes hunting retrievers, hunting hounds and water dogs.
Breed history in brief
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a breed of hunting dog that originated in Wales, United Kingdom, during the 19th century. It is descended from the pointers used by Welsh hunters to locate and lift birds during the hunt. Its name "Springer" is derived from its ability to jump and point at prey.
Throughout history, the Welsh Springer Spaniel has been highly valued for its keenness of scent, its ability to work in difficult terrain and its willingness to work as a team with hunters. It has been a very popular breed among bird hunters, both in Wales and in other parts of the world.
Breed characteristics
The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a head proportionate to the body, with intelligent expressive eyes and moderate sized ears that hang close to the head. Its tail is of medium length and is held high when in motion.
Its coat is dense and weather-resistant, with a soft undercoat and a thicker, water-repellent outer coat. Characteristic colors of this breed include white and brown, with distinctive markings on the face, ears and body.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is known for its friendly, energetic and hardworking temperament. They are intelligent, obedient and devoted to their owners. They are good with children and get along well with other dogs and pets in the home. They are highly trained hunting dogs and have a strong instinct for tracking and retrieving prey. They are active dogs that require regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and balanced.
Common health problems
The Welsh Springer Spaniel breed is characterized by good health. However, they are prone to develop certain disorders or pathologies such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, von Willebrand's disease, epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy, autoimmune thyroiditis, retinal dysplasia and volvulus-gastric dilatation syndrome.
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