Although its origin causes controversy among historians, they all agree that the short-haired Welsh Springer Spaniel is a lovely animal! By the way, this is an excellent breed to have as a pet, as they are docile, friendly and affectionate with their tutors.

In addition, this is a cheerful dog, who always likes to be in the company of his family. However, he doesn't usually adapt well to an apartment. So, are you thinking of adopting a short-haired Welsh Springer Spaniel? Read on to find out all about this breed!

First of all, the short-haired Welsh Springer Spaniel dog breed is possibly one of the oldest in the world. However, its origins are still a matter of debate among historians, since the first records of the breed are scarce.

So far, the most accepted theory is that he is the result of a mix between the Clumber dog and the English Springer. However, the first records of the breed date back to 9,000 years ago, which makes it very difficult to pinpoint exactly how it emerged. Incidentally, another possible explanation for the emergence of this dog is that they were hunting dogs and came from the Roman Empire in 250 BC

Although these dogs were widely used as hunting retrievers in the 1800s, their English Springer Spaniel relatives were preferred by breeders. Thus, the breed almost fell into oblivion, becoming popular only when it was brought to the United States during the First and Second World War.

Precisely because he is an active dog, he has a robust and compact body, being quite resistant for work. In addition, it has a symmetrical appearance, with a silky, smooth coat and feathering on the chest and belly. Incidentally, the only accepted colors are white and red, with spots on the body.

The expression of the short-haired Welsh Springer Spaniel dog is that of a docile animal, with dark eyes, usually brown. In addition, its ears are small and fall on the sides of the head, but when in a hunting position this dog has a vivacious and attentive air.

Well, if you are thinking about acquiring a dog of this breed, know that this is not an easy task in Brazil. By the way, as we already mentioned, his close relative English Springer Spaniel ends up winning when it comes to measuring his popularity. That is, finding a kennel or breeding place in the country can be difficult.

In addition, it is important that you carry out a search carefully, avoiding buying puppies over the internet. This is because there are clandestine breeders and kennels that do not follow the breed standard, nor the welfare of the animals. This way, you could end up funding animal cruelty, so watch out!

Generally speaking, short haired Welsh Springer Spaniel puppies typically range from R$2,500.00 to R$4,000.00. Therefore, check the puppy's ancestry, as animals descended from competitors tend to be more expensive. It's also interesting to meet the puppy's parents to make sure they are all healthy.

First of all, remember that the main purpose of an animal of the breed was to hunt and even assist in herding. That is, this animal is quite resistant and does not have breed-specific diseases. However, as it is an active dog whose main characteristic is speed, it can present hip dysplasia during its lifetime.

Therefore, be aware if your Welsh Springer Spaniel dog has difficulty supporting one of its hind legs, pain or difficulty walking. In addition, their floppy ears are a breeding ground for bacteria and otitis can be a problem for these dogs.

In addition, these dogs have a good life expectancy, reaching 16 years when well cared for. Therefore, try to take him to the veterinarian at least once a year for routine examinations, in addition to keeping vaccination and deworming up to date.

Although these animals have a compact body, the short-haired Welsh Springer Spaniel is considered a medium-sized dog. Thus, the height of the male varies from 45 centimeters to 48 centimeters at the withers, while the female does not exceed 45 centimeters. Meanwhile, her weight stays between 16kg and 20kg.

So, if you are thinking about acquiring a dog of this breed, but you live in an apartment, it is important that you know that these animals do not usually adapt to small environments. That's because they have a large reserve of energy, and they need to run and play to get tired.

By the way, it's important to set aside time every day to walk this dog, or he could end up depressed, causing unwanted behaviors. Although he is a very active dog, he likes to stay close to his tutors, being a companion and very loving pet.

However, it is worth remembering that your hunter and alert personality can make you suspicious of strangers. That is, it is important to practice socialization from a puppy to avoid an overly shy dog when becoming an adult.

Finally, the coat of the short-haired Welsh Springer Spaniel requires special attention. In this way, it is ideal to perform brushing at least twice a week, in addition to maintaining the regular bathing and grooming routine to avoid knots and excessive hair loss.

Another member of the Spaniel family, the Boykin Spaniel breed is loyal and very affectionate with its owners. Incidentally, this may be an ideal pet for those who have children at home! So, do you want to know everything about this dog? So just access our content below to see all the details!