WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL

WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL

FCI-Standard N° 126 / 28. 11. 2003 / GB

ORIGIN : Great Britain.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 29.10.2003.

UTILIZATION : Flushing dog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 8 Retrievers-Flushing Dogs- Water Dogs.
Section 2 Flushing Dogs.
With working trial.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Symmetrical, compact, not leggy, obviously built for endurance and hard work. Quick and active mover, displaying plenty of push and drive.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Very ancient and distinct breed of pure origin. Strong, merry and very active. Kindly disposition, not showing aggression or nervousness.

HEAD CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Of proportionate length, slightly domed. Well chiselled below eyes.
Stop : Clearly defined.

FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Flesh coloured to dark, nostrils well developed.
Muzzle : Of medium length, straight, fairly square.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Eyes : Hazel or dark, medium size, neither prominent, nor sunken, not showing haw.
Leathers : Set moderately low and hanging close to cheeks. Comparatively small and gradually narrowing towards tip and shaped somewhat like a vine leaf.

NECK : Long, muscular, clean in throat, neatly set into sloping shoulders.

BODY : Not long, strong and muscular. Length of body should be proportionate to length of legs.
Loin : Muscular and slightly arched. Well coupled.
Chest : Deep brisket, well sprung ribs.

TAIL : Customarily docked.
Docked : Well set on and low, never carried above level of back. Lively in action.
Undocked : Well set on and low, never carried above level of back. Lively in action. Feathered.
In balance with the rest of the dog.

LIMBS FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs of medium length, straight, well boned.

HINDQUARTERS : Strong and muscular, wide and fully developed. Hindlegs well boned.
Stifles : Moderately angled, neither turning in nor out.
Second thighs : Deep.
Hocks : Well let down.

FEET : Round, with thick pads. Firm and cat-like, not large or spreading.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Smooth, powerful, ground covering action; driving from rear.

COAT HAIR : Straight or flat, silky texture, dense, never wiry or wavy. Curly coat highly undesirable. Forelegs and hindlegs above hocks moderately feathered, ears and tail lightly feathered.

COLOUR : Rich red and white only.

SIZE :
Approximate height : Dogs 48 cm (19 ins) at withers.
Females 46 cm (18 ins) at withers.

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

This amended standard will become effective from April 2004.