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Welsh Springer Spaniels: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Welsh Springer Spaniel personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Welsh Springer Spaniel, including these excerpts: "The Welsh Springer Spaniel is steadier, more sensible, and less exuberant than his cousin, the Welsh Springer. A hardy, vigorous worker in the field, the Welsh Springer Spaniel loves the outdoors and needs as much running, hiking, or biking exercise as you can provide. Indoors he attaches himself with great devotion to his people. He is reserved with strangers, sometimes reticent, so he needs to be accustomed to people and noises at an early age. With other animals, he is peaceful and dependable. Because of his independence and tendency to be easily distracted, the Welsh Springer Spaniel requires early training so that good habits are instilled right from the start. However, he is physically and emotionally sensitive and "soft," so training should be done with a calm voice and a light hand on the leash. Corrections should be mostly verbal -- these gentle dogs wilt under rough handling. Submissive urination (sudden wetting when excited or anxious) can be a problem in youngsters." History Developed in Wales, the Welsh Springer Spaniel searches through the fields for game birds that the hunter can shoot. Size 17-19 inches and 35-45 lbs

Welsh Springer Spaniels What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em There are energetic Welsh Springers, and placid Welsh Springers. Hard-headed Welsh Springers, and sweet-natured Welsh Springers. Serious Welsh Springers, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Welsh Springers, and Welsh Springers who love everyone. If you acquire a Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed... If you want a dog who... Is medium-sized, approximately between a Cocker Spaniel and an English Springer Spaniel Has a pretty feathered coat Is bouncy and playful and thrives on lots of exercise and athletic activities Is physically and emotionally sensitive, a "soft" dog Is not as outgoing or demonstrative as his English Springer cousin, yet is still polite and peaceful with everyone, including other animals Responds well to training A Welsh Springer Spaniel may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... Vigorous exercise requirements Exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much Timidity or shyness in some lines, or when not socialized enough Frequent brushing, combing, and trimming of the silky coat Shedding Excitable or submissive urination (tendency to dribble urine when excited or nervous) Serious health problems A Welsh Springer Spaniel may not be right for you. If I were considering a Welsh Springer Spaniel... My major concerns would be: Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Welsh Springer Spaniels MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Welsh Springers can make a shambles of your house and yard. If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in hunting, or tracking, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Trying to suppress their desire to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult. Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Welsh Springer Spaniels need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you. Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Welsh Springer Spaniels need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness, which is very difficult to live with. Teaching your Welsh Springer how to be confident with the world is essential. Learn how to socialize your dog on my Welsh Springer Spaniel Training Page. Grooming. To keep their silky coat free of mats, Welsh Springer Spaniels require regular brushing, and also trimming every few months. Shedding. Welsh Springer Spaniels shed quite a bit. Their hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, stick to your upholstery and clothing, and hide under the furniture. You'll need to vacuum frequently. Health problems. Seizures and epilepsy are the major problems, along with hip and eye disorders. To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Welsh Springer Spaniel Health Page. If you're considering an adult Welsh Springer Spaniel... There are plenty of adult Welsh Springer Spaniels who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.