Welsh Springer Spaniel

Compared to other dogs with medium-length coats, the Welsh Springer Spaniel breed is easy to maintain. The ease of grooming is mostly due to the versatility of their coat. Due to hundreds of years of selective breeding, Welsh Springer Spaniels have the ideal coat for hunting—one that repels water and won’t snag on branches or become tangled. The added bonus of their weatherproof coats means you won’t be smelling a lot of funky dog odors or spending hours combing mats out of their fur. All you need to do is brush them out once a week, and they’re good to go.

Bathing is only necessary when they get dirty and you can skip trips to the groomer—unlike other spaniels, Welsh Springer coats should not be shaved or trimmed. They do shed a moderate amount, however, so you may want to invest in a ZoomGroom brush to help eliminate the dead undercoat during their seasonal shed, which happens in the spring and fall.

Additional grooming needs for the Welsh Springer Spaniel include trimming their nails every two weeks if they get too long and brushing their teeth daily. And it’s always a good idea to take your Welsh Springer into the vet annually for a professional teeth cleaning to keep those pearly whites in tip-top shape.

The Welsh Springer breed responds exceptionally well to training, and training sessions should become a regular part of their daily routine. At least two 10-minute sessions every day using positive reinforcement will promote good behavior. Positive reinforcement uses rewards, like treats, praise and playtime with fun toys, to encourage your pup towards good behavior. And thanks to their origin as a hunting dog, they’re naturally active and attentive, which means they’re likely to stay focused during training sessions. (Of course, offering them something yummy as a reward helps keep their attention, too.)

Running off-leash is one of the Welsh Springer’s favorite activities; it gives them a chance to stretch their legs, sniff around and burn some energy. But recall training (teaching them to come when called) is especially important to this breed—with their insatiable love of running and strong prey drive, they’re sure to give chase if a furry little critter crosses their path. Without proper recall training, you have only one option left: get your running shoes on and chase after them!

Welsh Springer Spaniel dogs also tend to be shy around strangers. If you want them to respond well when visitors come over, it’s important to socialize them at a young age. If you’re not sure how to get started with dog training and socialization, contact a local certified trainer who’s had experience with the breed—they can set you and your dog on the right track.

Welsh Springers do very well on commercial dog food, provided it’s complete, balanced and made of high-quality ingredients. Dog food should also be selected based on your pet’s age (puppy, adult, senior), weight and activity level. For athletic dogs like the Welsh Springer, they’re likely to need more protein to fuel all that activity. Younger dogs also tend to need more protein and fat to strengthen their growing bodies.

And don’t forget that while Welsh Springers are motivated during training by tiny nibbles, those foodbits do count toward their daily caloric intake. Consult with your vet, who can provide you with information on the right balance of food and treats your pet needs every day.

Exercise isn’t just something that Welsh Springers do, it’s part of who they are. This beautiful breed was made to move—they’re quite speedy! They love to run, especially off-leash, but they’ll also be up for some hiking, a little hunting or maybe even a swim (dog depending—they may not take to it immediately but some Welsh Springers learn to love a good dip!).

Even if you’re not the future Olympian type, don’t fret, you can still enjoy the Welsh Springer breed. Their energy needs an outlet, but that can be provided through daily walks, games of fetch, agility classes or other dog sports. As long as they get at least an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise twice a day, your Springer will be a happy pup.

The Welsh Springer loves to run, so a single-family home with a large yard would be ideal. They can adapt to apartment living, but only if their pet parent is 100-percent committed to taking them to the park and letting them run—they need at least an hour or two of exercise every day.

Welsh Springer Spaniels may love being outside, but that doesn’t mean you can keep them there—they want to be with you, indoors and out. With their tender, devoted nature, they thrive when living in a family setting. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a bored and sullen pupper (and no one wants that).

That gentle, loving temperament is what makes them such great family dogs; they’re an awesome choice if you’ve got kids in the household. They also adapt well to other pets, especially if they’re introduced while your Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy is still young.

If yours is a home with a lot of guests, or if your home is anywhere you lay your head (aka you love to travel) and you want an adaptable dog along for the ride, this may not be the breed for you. Welsh Springers tend to be cautious around people they don’t know, though with proper training and socialization, they can learn to be more comfortable in the company of strangers.