The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with a moderately long red and white coat. A typical Welsh stands between 17" and 19" at the shoulder and weighs 35 to 50 lbs. He has many "spaniel" characteristics, including long ears, although they are not as long as those of Cocker Spaniels or English Springer Spaniels. The Welsh Springer is a stable, active dog requiring moderate exercise. He is good with children and likes close family contact. Welshies will not be content to be kept in the back yard or relegated to the basement, isolated from your family's activities.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel was originally bred as a hunting dog and he is still used by hunters. He is a flushing spaniel, ranging ahead of the hunter within gunshot range and putting up and retrieving birds. He can also be trained to hunt small game animals. Welsh Springers are natural retrievers, but do require some training to develop their natural talent. This hunting background also makes the Welsh Springer a good obedience dog. His natural desire to work and his devotion to his master can be used in obedience and agility training. While the Welsh Springer is not the easiest breed to train, he can do very well if started at a young age and trained consistently.
The Welsh is truly an all-purpose dog. The breed has not split into separate varieties for show and hunting, as in English Springer Spaniels. Instead, Welsh Springers may perform in the show ring, obedience ring, agility events and hunting test, and still be a member of the family and loyal companion.
How do you find a Welsh Springer Spaniel breeder?
If you think that a Welsh Springer Spaniel is the dog for you, contact the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America Puppy Referral Coordinator, Pat Pencak at 914-856-4533. You'll be sent a list of WSSCA members who may have puppies available. You should phone and visit these breeders and owners before purchasing a puppy. Remember, when you buy a puppy you are making a lifetime committment. It's extremely important to be familiar with the characteristics of the breed before you decide to purchase a Welsh Springer Spaniel.
The best place to buy a pure-bred dog is from a reputable hobby breeder. A reputable breeder is one whose goal in breeding dogs is to improve the breed, NOT to make money. Contrary to popular belief, breeders who devote the time and expense to raise healthy, well socialized Welshies seldom have extra money left after vet fees, showing expenses, training classes, equipment and other expenses.
Breeders feel a great responsibility to the puppies they produce, so expect an experienced breeder to question you during a phone or in-person visit about your family, home, working schedule, and your hobbies and leisure activities. Based upon your responses, the breeder will try to determine if a Welsh Springer is the dog for you, and if so which of their puppies might best suit your needs. The breeder wants to make sure the puppy is placed in a suitable home and will stay there for the rest of its life.
What questions should you ask the breeder?
While the breeder is assuring that the puppy will be placed "for a lifetime", you should ask the breeder questions about the health clearances of the parents of the puppy (hips, eyes, thyroid), health guarantees for problems such as epilepsy or hip dysplasia, temperament, grooming, and general care. Ask to meet the parent(s) of the puppy and other dogs owned and/or bred by the breeder. Find out about the breeder's involvement with Welsh Springers, including length of time involved in the breed, titles earned in conformation, obedience, hunting, or agility events, and club memberships. These are good indications of the breeder's committment to the breed. Question the breeder about rehousing a puppy. In the event you cannot keep your puppy during its life, the breeder should assist in finding another home or take the dog back. You should be discuss this possibility before taking the puppy home.
What is canine hip dysplasia?
Welsh Springers are one of the many breeds where hip dysplasia can develop. This is a deformity of the hip joint which causes bone changes to the hip bones Most Welsh Springers afflicted with hip dysplasia are not crippled by it, and there is no change in their ability to function as a part of your family. A few Welshies may develop arthritic changes or discomfort that can be treated with drugs, or even surgery. It is believed that hip dysplasia is caused by many factors, including genetic inheritance, activity,and nutrition. It is not simple to predict when it will occur.
Many breeders x-ray their dogs after they reach 2 years old and submit the x-rays to an organization called the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Orthopedic specialists will review the x-rays to determine if the dog's hip joints are affected by hip dysplasia. If no hip dysplasia is found, a registry number is issued to confirm the hip rating. To improve your chances of obtaining a dog who will not develop hip dysplasia is to insist that both parents of your puppy have OFA numbers. This does NOT, however, guarantee that your puppy will be unaffected by hip dysplasia.
What is canine epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a poorly understood canine disorder found in many breeds, including Welsh Springer Spaniels. Like hip dysplasia, it is believed to be inherited, but there is no test to determine if the dogs used in a breeding program carry the gene. Ask the breeder about any known epileptic dogs or dogs known to have produced epilepsy in the pedigree of the puppy you are evaluating. A conscientious breeder has researched the epilepsy risk in pedigrees of dogs used in a breeding program, and will avoid high risk breedings that may result in epileptic puppies. A breeder's guarantee should indicate whether they will refund your money or replace your puppy in the unlikely event that it succumbs to epilepsy.
What inherited eye problems occur in Welsh Springers?
Ask if the breeder's dogs have been examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist and cleared for inherited eye disorders such as PRA, cataracts, or glaucoma. Serious eye problems are not common in Welsh Springers, but discuss this fully with the breeder.
Tips for owning a Welsh Springer
Provide
proper exercise for your Welsh. A fenced yard and long walks will keep him in shape.
Crate
train your puppy. Welsh Springers do well in crates, especially for housebreaking and
while you are out of the house. The crate also makes him "portable" so he can
accompany you on vacations, and provides the puppy with a private place to sleep and eat
undisturbed.
Obedience
train your dog. This helps establish the dog's place in the family, and provides an
all-important socialization experience with people and other dogs. Start the puppy at 4-6
months old, and plan to go through a Beginner and Novice class for the full benefits of
obedience training.
Spay/Neuter
your dog. Breeding dogs properly is a huge committment and exhausting work. If you do
plan to breed, you will have to answer all the questions we've just presented. Are you
ready for that chore? Don't contribute to the millions of homeless dogs living in animal
shelters around the country.
Be
prepared for company. Welshies want to be with you every minute; they will even follow
you into the bathroom. They should not be kept as outside dogs, since they will bark
incessantly and annoy your neighbors.
Grooming.
Brush your Welsh Springer at least once each week to minimize shedding hair. Ears should
be cleaned weekly, and nails should be taken care of every 2 weeks. Use an inexpensive dog
clippers to make the dog look neat on the tops of the ears and under the neck. The breeder
should show you how to groom the puppy before you take him home.
More Information
Whether you own a Welsh or are just thinking about it, please
contact the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America
for information, help in finding a breeder, or help with your Welsh Springer. We are all
interested in serving the best interest of the dogs we love, Welsh Springer Spaniels. For
breeder information, contact the Puppy Referral
Representative for the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America:
Mrs. Pat Pencak
135 Old Forestburg Road
Sparrow Bush, NY 12780
914-856-4533
