Fun Welsh Springer Spaniel Facts For Kids

Abhijeet Modi
Oct 20, 2022 By Abhijeet Modi
Originally Published on Aug 05, 2021
Edited by Monisha Kochhar
Fact-checked by Tehil David
Welsh Springer Spaniel facts about an excellent family dog.
?
Age: 3-18
Read time: 10.7 Min

The Welsh Springer Spaniels are a breed of medium-sized working dogs. The dog is similar to the English Springer Spaniel and was referred to as Welsh Spaniel and the Welsh Cocker Spaniel.

Until the early 20th century, the dog was known as the English Springer Spaniel. Later, it gained popularity, and the breed got its recognition as Welsh Springer Spaniel.

The dog has a silky red and white coat. The breed is very loyal and affectionate. It gets attached to its family and can be wary of strangers. A very energetic, athletic dog is a perfect jogging companion. Much grooming is also required, and regular brushing keeps its coat smooth and tangle-free.

Early training is very much required. The dog is greedy and doesn’t mind eating a lot, so it is essential to have an eye on its food intake to avoid obesity.

The dog requires a lot of exercises and a regular vet visit is good for its health since hip dysplasia and some eye conditions are few health problems observed in this breed. Overall it is a good family dog. Read on to learn more about it.

If you like this article, then go through Lakeland terrier and Pyrenean shepherd facts too.

Welsh Springer Spaniel Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Welsh Springer Spaniel?

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a loyal and affectionate dog. The breed adapts itself with the family but is wary of strangers. A fantastic working dog with high energy needs regular exercise. The dog loves to be active and happy all day. It is an alert and protective dog and can be a good watchdog in the home.

What class of animal does a Welsh Springer Spaniel belong to?

The Welsh Springer Spaniel belongs to the Mammalia class of the Canidae family. With gaining popularity as a family dog, the breed is preferred over other Spaniels. Spaniels can be differentiated into water breeds and land breeds. The Welsh needs to be introduced to water as a puppy otherwise, few individuals can be receptive.

How many Welsh Springer Spaniels are there in the world?

The exact count of this breed is not available. The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a rare breed.

But as the breed’s popularity increases, as a family dog with a calm temperament, so is the gain in the numbers. According to the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America, only 300 puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club. It is classified as a member of the sporting group.

Where does a Welsh Springer Spaniel live?

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a wonderful pet and adapts itself to any household type, including an apartment. It needs space to spend its energy otherwise, the dog may become lazy and obese.

This particular dog is popular for its loyalty towards its owner as it gets attached to its family very fast. It was known as a hunting dog in the 13th century in Wales.

What is a Welsh Springer Spaniel’s habitat?

The breed is very adaptive to the cold and hot temperatures equally. You can have a Welsh Springer Spaniel in any climatic conditions except very extreme ones.

A good night’s sleep and daily exercise with the fetching toy are all it needs to be healthy and energetic. So regular walks in the parks are needed. A house with a lawn is appreciated as it meets the endurance demands of the breed.

Who do Welsh Springer Spaniels live with?

Welsh Springer Spaniels live with humans in their household. You can have it even with kids around, but the older, the better to enjoy with these high-energy, active dogs with boisterous play.

But not to forget the rule of thumb, adults should always supervise when kids and dogs are around each other. They do well with other dog-friendly dogs and also cats.

It is better they are raised together from an early age. But other small mammals like rabbits are a strict no.

As it is wary of strangers and very attached to the family, the dog is a perfect companion for older people. Give it a fetching toy, and the dog will take care of the older ones’ activity requirements in the family.

How long does a Welsh Springer Spaniel live?

The lifespan of a Welsh Springer Spaniel is 12-14 years. The oldest one on record was in the UK at 19.5 years of age.

They boast of good health, and grooming them is easy. These dogs stay with their family for about a decade and a half with regular vet visits.

They are very smart dogs and are protective of their families. You can say that once you bring this breed into your family as a pup, it becomes inseparable, and with proper training, the dog becomes a regular companion for evening walks as well as picnics.

How do they reproduce?

The Welsh Springer Spaniel reproduces by sexual reproduction. They are mature by two years of age. After that, the heat usually lasts between two to four weeks.

A female can be receptive to a male for a shorter or a more extended period which depends entirely on the individual dog. The litter size is six to eight puppies. They are lovely at birth and grow very fast.

And it is required to train the dog at an early age. The high-energy dog can become overly enthusiastic and wary of strangers if not trained as a puppy.

The puppy may cost anywhere between $1200-$3500. The rate depends on many factors like show quality traits, breed’s lineage, and breeder reputation. But as a pet, the breed is cheaper, and the one with show quality traits is of higher rates.

What is their conservation status?

The breed is not listed in the IUCN Red List. But the breed’s count is quite low. During World War II, it was believed that no dogs were remaining since there were no registrations in the American Kennel Club.

But after that, the breed was reintroduced in the US and bred. In America and the UK, the breed is gaining popularity for its affectionate nature and calm temperament. The numbers of this family dog are on the rise on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Welsh Springer Spaniel Fun Facts

What do Welsh Springer Spaniels look like?

It is a versatile dog with an attractive coat. Further, Welsh Springer Spaniels are medium-sized family dogs. The coat is red and white with freckles. Depending on different piebald colors, they are categorized into four: Full Saddle and Ticked Red and White, Full Saddle Red, and White, Patched and Ticked Red and White, and Patched Red and White.

Welsh Springer Spaniels are dogs with high endurance and stamina.

How cute are they?

Welsh Springers are very friendly and affectionate pets with an attractive piebald pattern and red and white coat color. Don’t get deceived with their drooping ears and large eyes.

They are not at all innocent but are just seeking attention. With its calm temperament and watchdog nature, the dog loves to be around its owner and follow them everywhere, even to the washroom.

How do they communicate?

The breed demands a lot of activity and exercise to be healthy both physically and emotionally. The dog lies down and gazes if left alone for a long time.

They are happily wagging their around and jump onto the person when overjoyed. It barks at the sight of a stranger and is protective of its family. The dog can be territorial of its home and chase away any other creatures.

They need early training for developing socializing skills. The dog is intelligent and has a good sense of humor but can show stubbornness sometimes. It will growl if it doesn’t like something.

If the activity and energy levels come down, it could be a sign of underlying health conditions, so you need to be observant. The good thing is that though they are very affectionate, the dog doesn’t suffer from separation anxiety if left behind for work.

How big is a Welsh Springer Spaniel?

The dog stands tall between 17-19 in. Among all Spaniels, the Welsh, as it is fondly called, is of medium built, larger than Cocker Spaniels but tinier than English Springers these dogs of high levels of endurance and stamina.

How fast can a Welsh Springer Spaniel run?

The Welsh Springer Spaniel dog can run at a speed of 30 mph. This can be a very good jogging buddy with excellent speed and stamina. They are very good hunting dogs and fabulous retrievers that can go around all day tirelessly. If these dogs are destructive, then check on the exercise they are getting despite your busy schedule.

How much does a Welsh Springer Spaniel weigh?

The Springer Spaniel dog breed male can weigh between 40-45 lb, and a female weighs between 35-45 lb. They are rapid learners and need early training as they grow very fast.

What are their male and female names of the species?

There is no specific name for the male and female of this breed. A male dog is called a dog, and sometimes a stud, and a female dog is called a bitch. When you indicate parentage, in the breeding parlance, the male is called a sire, and a female is referred to as a dam.

What would you call a baby Welsh Springer Spaniel?

A baby dog of any breed is called a puppy or just a pup. Early training and a few hours of exercise each day are important for this high-energy, athletic breed. Exposure to people, places, and situations is equally essential to prevent Welsh Springer Spaniel puppies from becoming too timid.

What do they eat?

Feed the dog with high-quality dry dog feed and be cautious when feeding them. The feed should be appropriate to their age and activity levels and should be given in consultation with its vet.

Motivating with treats during training is essential but beware of them getting a habit of it. Overeating and under-exercising can lead the Springer Spaniel Welsh to become obese inviting health problems. They are foodies, and food should be kept out of their reach.

Are they slobbery?

The Spaniel Welsh Springer is not that slobbery and likes to cuddle. But the Springer Spaniel Welsh doesn’t mind jumping on you when it is happy to see you after the day’s work and sometimes can knock you down.

So yes, it is very much required to train your canine that such things are a strict no so that you can wear your dress to work again.

Would they make a good pet?

They are eager to please affectionate dogs. Welsh springer spaniel temperament is also calm and attractive. An easily trainable breed, it can make a great pet.

Early training helps to groom their socializing skills. Bring it home as a puppy. The breed has wiry or wavy hair that requires weekly brushing to avoid matting and tangles.

Once in a month, a bath, and not to forget grooming of their ears and tail, must have a lovely clean pet around. Regular visits to a vet for health check-ups are good to keep an eye on its growth and any health conditions.

They are excellent jogging buddies, and their high energy level will keep the home’s mood elevated.

Did you know...

Welsh Springers are also good swimmers, but adult dogs may not be interested in getting into water if they were not introduced to water as a puppy.

Though Welsh Springer Spaniel dog is considered a good watchdog, they need a good night's sleep.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel dog doesn’t bark often but sometimes loves to test its voice, which could be annoying if not kept in check.

A Springer Spaniel dog breeds' smell may be a little weird for a few though all dogs smell differently.

Welsh Springer Spaniel rescues are multiple groups of volunteers who work towards rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of the dogs to coordinate with the clubs and dog enthusiasts.

History of the Welsh Springer Spaniel

The origin of the Springer Spaniel dog breed is believed to be from the Iberian Peninsula. Great Britain’s oldest sporting breed descends from there. You can observe pictures of these dogs in Britain’s art and literature dating back to 250 years.

The dog is said to be developed in Wales in the 13th century as a hunting dog, although other spaniels share the same history, such as the English Cocker Spaniel, the English Springer Spaniel.

For a long time, the Springer Spaniel dog was thought to be the same as the English Springer Spaniel until breeders recorded some success in the dog trials during the late 19th century. Thus, in 1902, the Kennel Club recognized it as Welsh Springer Spaniel, separating it from other spaniels.

After getting introduced in the United States, the American Kennel Club categorized it as a sporting dog in 1906, and from then on, the dog gained popularity.

The Spaniel Welsh Springer was thought to be extinct during the world wars, but the Welsh Springer Spaniel breeders took efforts and started breeding them again. The modern-day Welsh Springer Spaniel is the offspring of those dogs.

English vs. Welsh Springer Spaniels

Welsh Springer Spaniels are calmer than the English Springer Spaniels that are more aggressive. Hence, they are much more popular.

The Welsh is smaller in build when compared to the English Springer Spaniels but larger than the English Cocker Spaniel. Both have different coat colors, while the former have red and white as their coat colors later have black or dark brown markings on white.

Both are purebred, but the Welsh Springer Spaniels are costlier than the English Springer Spaniels as a family dog.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including American English coonhound, or Snorkie.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Welsh Springer Spaniel coloring pages.

Welsh Springer Spaniel Facts

What Did They Prey On?

N/A

What Type of Animal were they?

Carnivorous

Average Litter Size?

6-8

How Much Did They Weigh?

35-55 lb

What habitat Do they Live In?

household, shelters

Where Do They Live?

united states

How Long Were They?

N/A

How Tall Were They?

17-19 in

Class

Mammal

Genus

Canis

Family

Canidae

Scientific Name

Canus lupus familiaris

What Do They Look Like?

Red-white

Skin Type

Fur

What Are Their Main Threats?

n/a

What is their Conservation Status?

Not Evaluated
We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Abhijeet Modi

Master of Computer Science

Abhijeet Modi picture

Abhijeet ModiMaster of Computer Science

An experienced and innovative entrepreneur and creative writer, Abhijeet holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Computer Application from Birla Institute of Technology, Jaipur. He co-founded an e-commerce website while developing his skills in content writing, making him an expert in creating blog posts, website content, product descriptions, landing pages, and editing articles. Passionate about pushing his limits, Abhijeet brings both technical expertise and creative flair to his work.

Read full bio >
Fact-checked by Tehil David

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts specializing in Philosophy and Religious Studies

Tehil David picture

Tehil DavidBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature, Master of Arts specializing in Philosophy and Religious Studies

Tehil David Singh is a fact checker with a Bachelor's degree in English literature from St.Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, and a Master's degree in Philosophy, and Religion from Madurai Kamaraj University. He has a passion for writing and hopes to become a story writer in the future. Tehil has previously interned in content writing and has been a content creator for the last three years. In his personal life, he enjoys singing, songwriting, performing, and writing stories.

Read full bio >