Haja Van Wessem - Welsh Springer Spaniel

Physical Characteristics of the Welsh Springer Spaniel

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Unique and should in no way approximate that of other spaniel breeds. Its overall balance is of primary importance.

Ears: Set on approximately at eye level and hang close to the cheeks.

Skull: Of medium length, slightly domed, with a clearly defined stop.

Neck: Long and slightly arched, clean in throat and set into long, sloping shoulders.

Eyes: Should be oval in shape, dark to medium brown in color with a soft expression.

Nostrils: Well developed and black or any shade of brown in color.

Mouth: Straight, fairly square and free from excessive flew.

Chest: Well developed and muscular with a prominent forechest.

Ribs: Well sprung and the brisket reaching to the elbows.

Forequarters: The shoulder blade and upper arm are approximately equal in length. The upper arm is set well back. The forearms are of medium length, straight and moderately feathered. The legs are well boned. Elbows should be close to the body and pasterns short and slightly sloping.

Feet: Round, tight and well arched with thick pads.

Topline: Level.

Tail: Is an extension of the topline. The tail is generally docked.

Hindquarters: Strong, muscular and well boned, but not coarse. The angulation of the pelvis and femur corresponds to that of the shoulder and upper arm. Bend of stifle is moderate. The bones from the hocks to the pads are short with a well angulated hock joint. When viewed from the side or rear they are perpendicular to the ground.

Coat: Naturally straight, flat and soft to the touch, never wiry or wavy. It is sufficiently dense to be waterproof, thornproof and weatherproof.

Color: Rich red and white only.

Size: A dog is ideally 1819 inches in height at the withers and a bitch is 1718 inches at the withers.

Contents

It is believed that the Welsh Springer Spaniel is among the oldest breeds in existence. Explore how the Welsh Springer emerged from the 15th-century classification of sporting dogs to become a distinct and established breed with a following of loyal devotees. Learn about the dogs and people who are significant in the breed all over the world.

Clad in rich red and white, the Welsh Springer has the instincts of a skilled gundog, the exuberance of your favorite playmate and the loyalty of your closest friend. Intelligent, curious and high-spirited, the Welshie is a wonderful pet for someone who can provide adequate activity and proper obedience training. Learn about physical and personality traits, as well as owner suitability and breed-specific health concerns.

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Welsh Springer Spaniel by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and solving basic puppy problems.

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Welsh Springer Spaniel every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, teeth, nails and bathing; and exercise for your dog. Also discussed are ID, safe travel and boarding.

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Welshie, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Get started by introducing the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes, field training and other activities.

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dogs healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Heres how to get started in AKC shows, how they are organized and whats required for your dog to become a champion. Also take a leap into the realms of obedience trials, agility trials, field trials, hunting tests and more.

K ENNEL C LUB B OOKS W ELSH S PRINGER S PANIEL

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-269-6

eISBN 13: 978-1-62187-025-8

Copyright 2007 Kennel Club Books An Imprint of I-5 Press A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Van Wessem, Haja.

Welsh springer spaniel / by Haja van Wessem.

p. cm.

1. Welsh springer spaniel. I. Title.

SF429.W37.V36 2007

636.7524dc22

2006016289

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Photography by Isabelle Franais

with additional photographs by:

Ashbey Photography, Adrienne Bancker, Norvia Behling, Paulette Braun, David Dalton, Tara Darling, Joan Hamaguchi, Beth Holmes, Helga Horsten, Ria Hrter, Carol Ann Johnson, Gundrun Johnson, Bill Jonas, Keith Lyle, Marinus Nijhoff, Colleen M. OKeefe, Perry Phillips, Mrs. J. A. R. Revill, Susan Riese, J. Schotte-Slootweg, Stonham Photography, Paul Tapar, Tien Tran, Alice van Kempen and Haja van Wessem.

Illustrations by Angela Begg and Patricia Peters.

The publisher wishes to thank all of the owners whose dogs are illustrated in this book, including Adrienne Bancker, Meghen Riese Bassel, Carl & Fran Bloom, Linda S. Brennan, Nora Carlton, Connie Christie, Laurie Dietz, Cindy Ford, Mike & Anne Gilliam, Joan Hamaguchi, Hammalgrdens kennel, Beth Holmes, Harry Holmes, Sandra N. Holmes, Ria Hrter, David & Lisa Hubler, Janet & Tom Ing, George & Sandy Lear, Anne Legare, Karen Lyle, Tom & Susan Neal, Marinus Nijhoff, Susan Riese, Sandra & Richard Rohrbacher, Peggy Ruble, Dennis & Jody Stegall, Tiny van Gent-Slootweg, Shelley Traylor, Jrgen Wallat, Haja van Wessem, Chris Wheeler, Mr. S. & Mrs. H. Williams and Sue Willingham.