Tracing the distant past of a Spaniel, a Setter or a Spaniel, regardless of race, is not easy. Indeed, their story is rather fuzzy, and no one really knows who is descending from whom. One thing is for sure is that this kind of medium-sized, long-eared and silky-haired hunting dog is very old. Evidence of this will be given by various historical accounts, including those of Chaucer, speaking of a Spaniel in 1386, of Gaston Phoebus (1331 - 1391) in his Book of Hunt, by John Keys, or Johannes Caius, who described these dogs in 1570 in De canibus britannicis. All these works emphasized the two great talents of these dogs: they excelled at raising the game, and then bringing it back once dead, and that as well in water as on land.
In fact, although these dogs may have a common origin, several varieties of Spaniels began to be different in different regions. Thus, Wales and England were to have two distinct dogs, a distinction that was affirmed at the end of the 19th century and formalized in 1901, when the first Welsh Springer gave up the approximate name of Welsh Cocker to gain the current name of Welsh Springer. Spaniel. To spring means springing, and the Springer is the dog that suddenly "stuffs" the game when it is within fighter's rifle range.
It is thought that the Breton Spaniel was able to contribute to the selection of Welsh, which however retained a unique dress, namely white and red. Moreover, this shiny white dress and bright red that made the particularity of Welsh is a real gift of nature: it is so to speak "self-cleaning", what a farmer expresses by saying that the Welsh "always has the look out of a box. " It is also exact and easy to check: the dog returning muddy hunting does not take long to recover his immaculate livery, this is his secret.
The modern breeding of the Welsh Springer Spaniel has managed to avoid the mistake in which that of his cousin the English has gone astray: an outrageous differentiation of hunting dogs and. show dogs. Only one very complete type survives in Welsh, capable of attracting the suffrages of aesthetes and of making hunters happy. "Beautiful and good" is the motto of this charming Welsh.
In front of a Welsh Springer, one says to oneself first of all "Oh, the beautiful dog. Then we observe him for a few moments, and we realize very quickly that he is not without mind either. His hobbyists even consider him to be the most subtle of Spaniels, the finest in his behavior, hunting and at home. Because ; and this is also one of his great qualities; he did not sacrifice any domain to the other and remained perfectly balanced.
On the ground, it's the intelligence itself. Hunting under the rifle, so close to the master, he certainly does not deserve the reputation of independence that one sometimes wanted to make him. Endowed with a rare flair, it sinks a few meters, even a few centimeters, of the coveted animal. There, he does not mark the stop as a Setter, but "stuffs" the game, which, frightened, out of hiding, exposing himself to the fire of the hunter. This type of hunt requires a great understanding between man and dog, complicity perfectly achievable with a Welsh Springer Spaniel. Especially since all this is almost innate at home! He is seen to see the country and the game as soon as he is old enough to follow his master (about seven or eight months), and he will learn of himself during these walks to become a valuable auxiliary.
At home, he has nothing of the impatient working dog but shows an admirable calm and an affectivity to make jealous of so-called "companion" breeds. Because the Welsh is also a family dog, happy to be, always ready to show his love for his masters. That's why kennel life does not suit him at all. And if he is wiser than an image when he is in company, he can, left alone in a place that does not please him, turn into a destructive tornado.
Very intelligent, docile, adoring children, gentle with other pets (provided they have been used young, of course), the Welsh Springer Spaniel is yet a little known to current cynophilia. Given the qualities with which he is kneaded, he should not remain very long in this sad situation. Finally, this endearing Welsh will find a wider welcome in our families. It was time. |
Aggressive or overly shy.
English (United Kingdom)