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| Fireside Kennels | www.welshspringers.com |
AKC Official Breed Standard For:
The Welsh Springer Spaniel
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| Information not linked to: | Information Linked to on Dog | |
| Head | Body | |
| Coat | Eyes | Neck |
| Color | Ears | Topline |
| Gait | Forequarters | |
| Temperament | Hindquarters | |
| Size | ||
General Appearance
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a dog of distinct variety and ancient
origin, who derives his name from his hunting style and not his relationship to other
breeds. He is an attractive dog of handy size, exhibiting substance without
coarseness. He is compact, not leggy, obviously built for hard work and
endurance. The Welsh Springer Spaniel gives the impression of length due to
obliquely angled forequarters and well developed hindquarters. Being a hunting dog,
he should be shown in hard muscled working condition. His coat should not be so
excessive as to hinder his work as an active flushing spaniel, but should be thick enough
to protect him from heavy cover and weather.
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Size, Proportion, Substance
A dog is ideally 18-19 inches in height at the withers and a bitch
is 17-18 inches at the withers. Any animal above or below the ideal to be
proportionally penalized. Weight should be in proportion to height and overall
balance. Length of body from the withers to the base of the tail is very slightly
greater than the distance from the withers to the ground. This body length may be
the same as the height but never shorter, thus preserving the rectangular silhouette of
the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
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Head
The Welsh Springer Spaniel head is unique and should in no way
approximate that of other spaniel breeds. Its overall balance is of primary importance.
The head is in proportion to body, never so broad as to appear coarse nor so narrow as to
appear racy. The skull is of medium length, slightly domed, with a clearly defined
stop. It is well chiseled below the eyes. The top plane of the skull is very
slightly divergent from that of the muzzle, but with no tendency toward a down-faced
appearance. A short chubby head is most objectionable.
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Eyes
Eyes should be oval in shape, dark to medium brown in color with a
soft expression. Preference is for a darker eye though lighter shades of brown are
acceptable. Yellow or mean-looking eyes are to be heavily penalized. Medium in
size, they are neither prominent, nor sunken, nor do they show haw. Eye rims are
tight and dark pigmentation is preferred.
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Ears
Ears are set on approximately at eye level and hang close to the
cheeks. Comparatively small, the leather does not reach the nose. Gradually
narrowing towards the tip, they are shaped somewhat like a vine leaf and are lightly
feathered. The length of the muzzle is approximately equal to, but never longer than
that of the skull. It is straight, fairly square, and free from excessive
flew. Nostrils are well developed and black or any shade of brown in color. A
pink nose is to be severely penalized. A scissors bite is preferred. An
undershot jaw is to be severely penalized.
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Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is long and slightly arched, clean in throat, and set into
long sloping shoulders. Topline is level. The loin is slightly
arched, muscular, and close-coupled. The croup is very slightly rounded, never steep
nor falling off. The topline in combination with proper angulation fore and aft
presents a silhouette that appears rectangular. The chest is well developed and
muscular with a prominent forechest, the ribs well sprung and the brisket reaching to the
elbows. The tail is an extension of the topline. Carriage
is nearly horizontal or slightly elevated when the dog is excited. The tail is
generally docked and displays a lively action.
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Forequarters
The shoulder blade and upper arm are approximately equal in
length. The upper arm is set well back, joining the shoulder blade with sufficient
angulation to place the elbow beneath the highest point of the shoulder blade when
standing. The forearms are of medium length, straight and moderately feathered. The
legs are well boned but not to the extent of coarseness. The Welsh Springer
Spaniel's elbows should be close to the body and its pasterns short and slightly sloping.
Height to the elbows is approximately equal to the distance from the elbows to the
top of the shoulder blades. Dewclaws are generally removed. Feet should be
round, tight and well arched with thick pads.
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Hindquarters
The hindquarters must be strong, muscular, and well boned, but not
coarse. When viewed in profile the thighs should be wide and the second thighs well
developed. 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. Rear dewclaws are removed. Feet as
in front.
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Coat
The coat is naturally straight, flat and soft to the touch, never
wiry or wavy. It is sufficiently dense to be waterproof, thornproof, and
weatherproof. The back of the forelegs, the hind legs above the hocks, chest, and
underside of the body are moderately feathered. The ears and tail are lightly
feathered. Coat so excessive as to be a hindrance in the field is to be discouraged.
Obvious barbering is to be avoided as well.
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Color
The color is rich red and white only. Any pattern is
acceptable and any white area may be flecked with red ticking.
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Gait
The Welsh Springer moves with a smooth, powerful, ground covering
action that displays drive from the rear. Viewed from the side, he exhibits a strong
forward stride with a reach that does not waste energy. When viewed from the front,
the legs should appear to move forward in an effortless manner with no tendency for the
feet to cross over or interfere with each other. Viewed from the rear, the hocks
should follow on a line with the forelegs, neither too widely nor too closely
spaced. As the speed increases the feet tend to converge towards a center line.
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