Welsh Springer Spaniel
威爾斯史賓格獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is one of Britain's oldest gundogs, a vigorous red-and-white bird dog of "handy size" between a Cocker and an English Springer, and now a vulnerable native breed in the UK. Happy, loyal and devoted to its family, it is gentle with children and other animals but "reserved with strangers" by its standard, and it is built for endurance — no day in the field is too long. It needs plenty of exercise, lots of time with its people and early socialisation; the urge to chase birds and small animals is bred in.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 43–48cm |
| Weight | 16–25kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 8 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma or lens luxation is reported in the breed; screening tests exist. Ask your vet urgently if an eye becomes cloudy, red or painful.
Immune-mediated conditions
Immune-mediated conditions are reported in the breed. Ask your vet if your dog has unexplained illness.
Behaviour
Reserved with strangers — not shy
The AKC notes the standard's phrase "reserved with strangers" should not be taken to mean timid or shy; early socialisation and puppy classes are essential. Welshies are hunting dogs with the urge to chase birds and small mammals bred in, though most puppies quickly learn to respect the family cat; a securely fenced yard is best, and interaction with their humans is the key to a happy dog.
Devoted, gentle, built for endurance
The CKC describes a loyal, affectionate and devoted family member that announces visitors — so a good watchdog — yet is gentle with children and other animals; a strong, merry, hardworking dog built for endurance for which no day is too long, needing lots of outdoor exercise.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Welsh Springer Spaniel
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Spaniel Welsh Springer (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Spaniel Welsh Springer
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Welsh Springer Spaniel (standard no. 126, group 8)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club recommends that breeders test both parents for hips, elbows, eyes and thyroid and publish the results in the OFA database — its code of ethics requires hip and eye results — and encourages buyers to look up the published results and discuss them with the breeder. Expect to be asked to complete a questionnaire: breeders use it to judge whether a Welsh Springer suits your family and to match you with the right puppy.”
— Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America — Puppy & Litter Information via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Welsh Springer Spaniel — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Spaniel Welsh Springer — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Spaniel Welsh Springer — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Welsh Springer Spaniel — FCI standard no. 126 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Puppy & Litter Information — Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America — Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America (public breed pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.