At a glance the quick version
Hill's gives 40-45 lb for males and 35-40 lb for females; Wikipedia gives 16-20 kg overall. The FCI standard sets no weight.
Coat and looks how to spot one
straight, flat, silky coat with feathering
A sturdy, compact spaniel with a soft, dense coat that lies flat. Light feathering grows on the ears, chest, legs and tail, and the body is built for stamina rather than speed.15
Personality what they are like
A happy, energetic spaniel that loves its family and likes to stay close to them. It is a little more reserved with strangers than the English Springer, learns quickly and enjoys having a job to do.145
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. The Royal Kennel Club suggests over two hours of exercise a day; secure areas are wise because the breed likes to roam after scent.24
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush weekly, or a little more often, to keep the feathering tidy, and check and clean the ears regularly.42
Home where they are happiest
Fits a small house if it gets enough exercise; a large garden is ideal, and it adapts to town or country.2
Company who they like around
Very people-oriented and likes to follow family members around the house.4
The story where it all began
Red and white hunting spaniels are mentioned in Welsh writing from the Middle Ages, and the breed is counted among Britain's oldest sporting dogs. It was recognised by The Kennel Club in 1902 and reached the American Kennel Club a few years later. Unlike the English Springer, it never split into separate show and field types.235
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 126, Group 8 (Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs), Section 2 Flushing Dogs; standard dated 28.07.2009, country of origin Great Britain.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Gundog group; recognised in 1902; listed as a Vulnerable Native Breed.2
- AKC
- Sporting Group; recognised in 1906 according to Wikipedia.5
Popularity 299 puppies registered with The Kennel Club (UK) in 2016, when it was listed as a Vulnerable Native Breed5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Welsh Springer Spaniel. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Eye wipeGently wipe around the eyesevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 126 Welsh Springer Spaniel fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colour, temperament
- The Royal Kennel Club: Spaniel (Welsh Springer) royalkennelclub.comused for group, vulnerable status, exercise, grooming, lifespan, home, history
- AKC: Welsh Springer Spaniel akc.orgused for origin, temperament summary
- Hill's Pet: Welsh Springer Spaniel hillspet.comused for weight, lifespan, temperament, exercise, grooming, name origin
- Wikipedia: Welsh Springer Spaniel en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, recognition dates, size, registrations (secondary)
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.