Welsh Springer Spaniels
Among Britain’s oldest native dogs stands the red and white Spaniel of Wales, the Welsh Springer Spaniel, a breed whose roots run so deep they are woven through centuries of art, literature, and folklore. Long before the “breed standard” or invention of the pedigree, these spirited companions walked beside Welsh farmers and hunters, living and working as family dogs whose loyalty and intelligence were prized above all else.
References to red-and-white spaniels appear throughout history. In 1570, Dr John Caius (physician to Queen Elizabeth I) described spaniels “white, and if marked with any spots, they are commonly red,” giving us one of the earliest written clues to their ancient colouring and by the time of The Canterbury Tales and the Tudor court, red and white dogs were already familiar sights in Britain. Many appear in 17ᵗʰ- and 18ᵗʰ-century oil paintings, immortalised by artists such as Thomas Gainsborough who celebrated their beauty and companionship in a 1767 painting.
The precise origin of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is lost in time, but there are tantalizing references that hint at its antiquity but local Welsh folklore claim red and white dogs in Wales dating back to the 6th century.
They were often called the Welsh Spaniel or Welsh Cocker in older registry documents.
Spend time with a Welsh Springer and you quickly understand why people have treasured them for so long. They are kind-hearted, intuitive dogs with an easy balance of affection and independence. Sensitive to tone, they thrive on calm, consistent companionship and will mirror the energy of the people around them.
Unlike some of their more excitable spaniel cousins, Welsh Springers are known for their even temper and steadiness. They bond deeply to their families, forming lifelong attachments that make them gentle with children and devoted to adults. Their intelligence is practical, the sort of quiet awareness that makes them easy to live with and eager to learn.
These dogs are happiest when they are included walking beside their people, exploring the countryside, or simply curling at your feet by the fire. They don’t need to be hunters to be fulfilled; they only need purpose, presence, and people. It’s this soulful connection that has kept them close to human hearts for centuries.
But today, this ancient breed is under serious threat. When the Estimated Breeding Value of a breed drop to 50 conservationists go into meltdown as below this number a breed is at serious risk of extinction. The Welsh Springer Spaniel is at around 36!!!!! Inbreeding coefficients are climbing to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of inherited disease and reproductive weakness, yet resistance remains to modern DNA testing and to the introduction of fresh bloodlines that could secure the breed’s future. Traditional Breeders are trapped in a cycle that prizes “type” over vitality.
If the Welsh Springer is to survive, it must be celebrated not for a show standard, but for its spirit, its good heart, its gentle intelligence, its centuries-old bond with people.
For too long, decisions have been driven by appearance and the pursuit of an ever-narrower ideal of “type.” Health testing, genetic screening, the very tools that could save the breed, have been resisted by those clinging to the past.
The Welsh Springer’s survival will not come from preserving the past in amber, but from renewing it with foresight and courage. By widening the gene pool, embracing DNA testing for known conditions, and putting temperament and health first.
Print 