Welsh Springer Spaniel
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is one of Britain's oldest spaniel breeds — depicted in Welsh art and documents going back centuries, and believed to be the ancestor of all other English spaniel breeds.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United Kingdom
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
16–20 kg (35–45 lbs)
Height
44–48 cm (17–19 in)
Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active spaniel.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is one of Britain's oldest spaniel breeds — depicted in Welsh art and documents going back centuries, and believed to be the ancestor of all other English spaniel breeds. It is the only spaniel that is always exclusively red and white — no other colour is permitted. The Welsh Springer is slightly smaller and more compact than the English Springer Spaniel, with a longer head and more reserved personality. It is devoted and bonded to its family but significantly more reserved with strangers than the English Springer — sometimes described as "a one-family dog."
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A medium-sized, compact, athletic spaniel always in rich red and white — the only accepted colour. The red is a peach-warm rich orange-red. Flat, silky coat with feathering. Slightly smaller and more refined than the English Springer Spaniel.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-4-6-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Loyal, affectionate, and determined — the Welsh Springer bonds intensely with its family but is reserved with strangers (unlike the universally friendly English Springer). Excellent working and family dog. Determined in the field.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
2/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 28°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
clinginess, barking, pacing, mouthing, separation anxiety
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours vigorous exercise daily. Brushing 2–3 times weekly. Ear cleaning weekly.
Nutrition Notes
Ear infections due to pendulous ears — omega-3 supplementation. Epilepsy in some lines. Generally healthy sporting breed with few dietary restrictions.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip dysplasia. Epilepsy. Glaucoma. Ear infections lifelong. Hypothyroidism. Always red-and-white (never other colours). Smaller and more reserved than English Springer. Welsh national treasure. 12-15 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1100 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
800 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Epilepsy. Autoimmune thyroiditis. Glaucoma — elevated in the breed.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Rarer than English Springer. Only red-and-white colour. India: very rare.
Purchase Price
$1,000 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is believed to be the oldest of all spaniel breeds — it appears in Welsh law codes from 300 CE as a recognised dog type, and is depicted in tapestries and paintings predating the first documented English Springer Spaniels.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is always exclusively red and white — no other colour has ever been permitted in the breed standard since its first formal registration in 1902. Any other colour is disqualifying.
