Living with a Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Welsh Springer Spaniel has been a good companion dog for over 70 years. However, just like any other dog, this breed has his own set of personalities and training requirements, which owners should take note of. To be able to keep your dog happy and healthy, you should be aware of the temperament of Welsh Springer Spaniels. Below is a two-part guide on how to live harmoniously with your dog:

1) Know Your Dog’s Personality

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is an avid gun dog that works well on both land and water. Originally, these canines were bred as a flushing spaniel that “spring” the rabbits, birds and smaller game from their hiding places. As such, the Welsh Springer Spaniel has an active nature and is built for endurance. These dogs are good hunters, but tend to wander off if not trained constantly.

Known to be intelligent and energetic canines, the Welsh Springer Spaniel can be independent. Although they don’t do well as guard dogs, they can make good watchdogs and announce when strangers or visitors approach. However, compared to the English Springer Spaniel, these canines are less outgoing and more reserved around people they don’t know. Shyness can be a problem if not socialized at an early age.However, Welsh Springer Spaniels will never show any aggression. They often give their owners kisses and sloppy licks.

Outdoors, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a vigorous worker in the field. Indoors, this dog attaches himself with immense devotion to his owners. However, these dogs can be very clingy toward their owners. Since they have a natural instinct to work, these dogs often show tremendous stamina and excitement when working. Generally, Welsh Springer spaniels are level-headed, but can become noisy at things out of the ordinary.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a loyal, affectionate and devoted family member, suitable for both first-time and experienced dog owners. They are people-oriented dogs, good-natured companions and high-spirited canines that are gentle with children. Since they need lots of exercise, Welsh Springer Spaniels can make great companions to active children. They also enjoy interactive play and activity, but they don’t like to be handled roughly. This dog is perfect for an active person or family who can devote time and affection to their pet. Although it is preferable that an owner lives in a large secure area ample enough for exercise, Welsh springer spaniels can do well in an apartment as long as the dogs are taken several long walks daily.

Welshies are generally good-mannered with other dogs or cats. However, this breed is naturally known to become excited and interested with rabbits and birds.

2) Learn how to make training an easy task

Now that you know your dog well, you can use everything you know about him when training Welsh Springer Spaniels.

Welshies were bred for work and endurance. As such, they need plenty of exercise to keep healthy. Fortunately, due to their long hunting history, intelligence and eagerness to please, this breed can be easily trained. Generally, Welsh Springer Spaniels are quick to learn, attentive and responsive.

• Housetraining – If need to be housetrained, they can easily be trained to behave inside the house. However, be aware that puppies can be a bit mischievous and may chew on items around the house if left alone indoors.
• Training problems – It is recommended that early training be made to instill good habits at a young age. However, their independent nature and stubbornness may take away its trainability, so owners should be in control to avoid training problems. Welsh Springer spaniels are known to ignore commands if there’s something more interesting in the surroundings, but with proper training, they can become very obedient dogs. Be aware that the Welsh Springer spaniel requires consistency from his owner. Without enough exercise, the dog may become bored, overweight, prone to health problems, and destructive just to keep busy. However, when a Welsh Springer Spaniel becomes stubborn, you should keep in mind that these canines are emotionally and physically sensitive, so training should only involve a light hand and a calm voice. It is recommended that corrections are done verbally since Welshies are gentle dogs that wilt under rough handling.
• The Welsh Springer Spaniel and Hunting – As an innate hunter, the Welsh Springer spaniels should be trained to hunt at a young age to ensure they use their hunting skills in a positive manner. If not, they tend to wander too far during a hunt and may require multiply commands before they obey. The first love of Welsh Springer spaniels are hunting, so they tend to be more excited when the training involves this sport. Regardless of how much you try to curve his hunting instincts, you can never keep him from doing his natural ability.
• Obedience Training – One of the most important aspects of training you Welsh Springer spaniel is obedience training. Contrary to popular belief, the main purpose of obedience training is not just to get the dog to obey the owner. Instead, the goal should be to train the canine about the proper things a well-behaved dog should do. For example, when owners train the Welsh Springer spaniel to “sit,” he may sit beside you on the sofa, even if you were referring to the spot near your feet. If you train the dog to become independent-minded, he will learn to behave all the time. When you train them the proper ways, the canine becomes proactive rather than just reactive.
• Communication – Another important part of training Welsh Springer Spaniels is communication. For the Welsh Springer Spaniel, the “command and lead” method works best in encouraging dog-to-owner communication. While the dog cannot actually talk, his barking can give you signs about what he wants to say. Unfortunately, people can’t talk dog. As such, it is important that an owner teaches the canine to “show” him the reason for the barking. This way, whenever the dog sees a stranger coming, he will lead the owner to where the stranger is.

With all these information in mind, you can now train your dog and ensure your Welshie lives physically and mentally active from pup to adulthood.