Welsh Springer Spaniel: breed description, care rules

Welsh springers are some of the most obedient, smart dogs attached to people, which are considered to be the oldest breed of spaniels, but there is no exact information about the origin. It is believed that they have common genetic roots with the breed of the English Springer Spaniel. Welsh springers were on the verge of extinction, but thanks to their breeding in Wales, this species of dogs was saved. As a breed, Welsh Springs were registered in 1902 by the Kennel Club of the Kingdom of Britain.

Representatives of the Welsh Springer Spaniel breed are described as strong, active and playful dogs. They are ready for hard and long work. Pets love long and active walks.

Welsh Springs have a strong attachment to the owner, they are great for all members of the family, regardless of their age. They like to play with young children, especially if they grew up with them and are well socialized. With strangers, dogs behave quite restrained, especially they do not trust them. Usually they do not attack strangers, but only meet them with barking.

Springer Spaniels have a rectangular muzzle of medium length, eyes of a dark color. The whites of the eyes of a healthy pet are slightly yellow. The head has a slightly domed shape. Dogs have a sufficiently strong jaw and a long neck. The ears are pear-shaped, not very long, adjacent to the jaw. The body has the right proportions, quite muscular. Legs of medium length dogs, straight. On the paws are thick pads, similar to feline, rounded. On the back of the legs are beautiful tows.The tail is set low, usually the tails of this breed stop.

Welsh springers' wool is usually straight or slightly wavy. Dogs are white with bright red spots, sometimes these spots can be black or dark brown. There are also completely white individuals. The height of the dog at the withers is 46-48 cm, weight - 16-20 kg. Despite their small size, the dogs are very fast. In addition, from the name of the breed it is clear that they still know how to jump well: "springer" in translation from English means "jumper".

An ideal place to keep a Welsh springer is a private house, but if you can organize long and active walks, the dog will feel good in the apartment. Ideally, if the pet has a partner for games - a dog with a similar character. The main thing in the content of the Welsh Springer is to give them sufficient physical activity, otherwise the dog may be nervous. Dogs of this breed are very fond of water.

To maintain a neat appearance, the dog is recommended to comb 1-2 times a week. For this, a soft natural brush is suitable. Claws are sheared once a month. It is recommended to bathe a dog fully once a month with a special shampoo with a neutral pH. After bathing, the pet must be thoroughly dried. Ears should be inspected and cleaned regularly if necessary. The dog is recommended regular preventive cleaning of the oral cavity.

A Welsh Springer is best served with premium premium dry food. You can feed the dog with natural food, but in this case it will be difficult to make a balanced diet for it. The basis for natural food can be lean meats, vegetables and dairy products. It is necessary that a bowl of clean water is always freely available for the dog, especially in the hot season.

A Welsh puppy requires special attention and care, otherwise the care of the baby is not very different from the content of an adult. The small Welsh Springer Spaniel should be fed 6 times a day, from 8 months of age it can be transferred to two meals a day. In general, the diet of puppies should be balanced - this is very important during the period of its active development.

Puppies are susceptible to various infections and diseases, so they need to do all the necessary vaccinations. The first vaccination is carried out at 8-9 weeks, and the second - at 12 weeks of life. Further vaccination is carried out annually. Usually, after vaccination, small Welsh pets have a fever, lack of appetite, and general weakness, which disappear after a few days. A Welsh puppy is prone to ear infections, so it is important to regularly check his ears and try to protect him from drafts and hypothermia.

It is also important to educate the puppy. You need to teach him the basic commands:

• "Lie";
• "sit";
• "to me";
• "stand";
• "a place";
• "Aport" and others.

Training for the Welsh dog must be compulsory so that the hunting instincts of the dog are manageable. Training can be carried out independently or give the dog to be trained by professionals. Individuals of this breed are easy to learn and achieve high results. Do not stop training if there are no quick results - training takes enough time.

For classes, outdoor areas in the open air are best suited. Do not scold the pet. In the process of training, the “gingerbread method” is best suited - reward the dog with a treat for the proper execution of tasks. In the process of training, you can not only teach the dog the basic necessary commands, but also develop hunting skills, if necessary.It is important to take your pet seriously enough, because improper training can adversely affect its character.

Dogs of the Welsh Springer Spaniel breed have good health and live on average up to 13 years. To maintain the health of the pet, daily physical activity, proper nutrition are necessary - otherwise the dog may become obese, which will provoke the development of other diseases.

The most common diseases among this breed are:

• retinal atrophy;
• infectious diseases of the ears;
• joint dysplasia;
• skin diseases;
• fucosidosis.

An epileptic disease is rare, which is manifested by outbreaks of sudden aggression. At such moments, the dog is uncontrollable, can attack the owner. In this case, it is important to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible and begin treatment.

Before buying a puppy, it is necessary to study the information about the chosen breed, evaluate its ability to provide the dog with all the necessary conditions. It is also important to evaluate your readiness for the appearance of the dog in the family, the ability to devote time and effort to it.

It is better to buy a purebred puppy in trusted kennels, where they will provide all the necessary documents for the dog - a passport and pedigree. When choosing a pet, you need to pay attention to his appearance and behavior. The Welsh puppy must be active, friendly and playful. The baby’s nose should be moist, eyes and ears should be clean. The puppy should not smell unpleasantly. Be sure to ask about the puppy’s health status, whether his parents have any genetic diseases that could be inherited.

For more on the Welsh Spinger Spaniel, see the video below.