Yes, Welsh Springer Spaniels are moderate shedders. Regular grooming, including brushing, can help manage shedding and keep their coat healthy.

Yes, the Welsh Springer Spaniel can coexist peacefully with cats. Of course, each cat has their own preferences and temperaments, but if introduced early, and both pets have compatible temperaments and are properly socialized, they should get along fine.

Yes, Welsh Springer Spaniels are wonderful around children. Like most spaniels, they are both gentle and playful.

As with any breed, it is recommended that your child always be supervised when interacting with your Welsh Springer Spaniel to ensure the safety of both the child and the dog. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child, as is teaching dogs how to interact gently with children.

No, Welsh Springer Spaniels do not bark a lot. They will bark to alert or when they feel separation anxiety, but they are not nuisance barkers. As with any dog, however, proper training and exercise can discourage them from barking as frequently.

No, Welsh Springer Spaniels are not high-maintenance. Still, they need to be brushed weekly to keep their coats looking healthy and unmatted where feathering is present (around their legs).

Yes, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a good family dog. This breed loves to be with their humans. They are affectionate with their family, intelligent, and are best matched with an active family that can provide the much-needed exercise this breed requires to thrive.

No, Welsh Springer Spaniels don’t like to be left alone for longer periods of time. While they may appear reserved at first with strangers, with time and trust, they become devoted Velcro dogs. If they need to be left alone for short periods, it’s best to provide them with enrichment toys, such as puzzles, to keep them engaged.

Yes, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a highly intelligent breed that is usually very easy to train. Spaniels are sensitive though, so plenty of positive reinforcement is key. And don’t be fooled by the “easy to train” label. Training any dog takes time — it isn’t instant, regardless of their trainability.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is from Wales and England and originated in the 1500s.

There are a few differences between the English and Welsh Springer Spaniel. The English Springer Spaniel has a heavier build and a more substantial bone structure than the Welsh. The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a straight coat with less feathering than the English variant.

Yes, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a mostly healthy breed, apart from being more prone than other breeds to hip and elbow dysplasia.

• Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is one of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs where the hip joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. 

• Elbow dysplasia: The abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. If diagnosed before the onset of arthritis, surgery can fix the joint.

• Cataracts: This is a common eye condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision.

• Entropion: A genetic defect where one or both eyelids are inverted or roll inward and rub on the surface of the eye.

• Glaucoma: A disease that causes excessive pressure on the eye, damages the optic nerve, and eventually leads to vision loss and blindness.

• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a thyroid malfunction that results in low hormone production and could cause obesity, low energy, and a brittle coat. 

• Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a seizure disorder.

• Otitis externa: This is inflammation of the ear canal. 

A veterinarian may recommend hip, eye, and ear tests to identify some of these issues.