Welsh Springer Spaniel Dog Breed

Great Britain

It is believed that there have been water dogs in Wales since many centuries and the suspicion that a Welshman traditionally has towards the Englishmen probably justifies the fact that this type of water dog formed in the principality has remained practically free from foreign blood during two hundred years. Anyway, it is very similar to the English Springer Spaniel.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel was not recognized as a separate breed by the Canine Club until this century. There are not many specimens in any part of the world.

It must be vivacious, strong and hard-working and it must have a physical constitution that gives it great resistance and allows it to bear the hard work. The head that is not short or chubby, is different from the English jumper mainly because the ears are shorter. The eyes are hazelnut-colored or dark brown; the nose is flesh colored or black. The body is strong and muscular, the feet are small and similar to those of a cat and the tail that is carried low is down.

The hair is completely straight, thick and silky but not excessively abundant and it has frayed edges of a moderate size in the ears and in the back part of the legs.

Invariably, the color is white with intense darkish red patches. It weighs 16 to 20 kg, and the height at withers is about 40 cm.