How to Groom a Welsh Springer Spaniel

Welsh Springer Spaniels, also called Welshies affectionately, are handsome, medium-sized dogs. They usually stand between 17 and 19 inches tall and should always be longer than they are tall. Socialize Welsh Springer Spaniels early on or they may turn out to be timid loners. They have smooth, silky coats that are usually red and white in color.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Slicker brush
• Steel comb
• Scissors
• Blow dryer
• Thinning shears

1. Brush the outer coat using a slicker brush and steel combs. The dog has a double coat, comprised of a long, wavy outer coat and a soft and dense undercoat. The coat should be shiny and have a good deal of feathering if you've groomed it properly.

2. Trim the whiskers from the face, chin, muzzle and above the eyes with scissors.

3. Bathe when necessary and blow dry the coat. Brush out during the drying process with the grain of the hair, but don't try to straighten out the coat too much. The ears and legs are safe to blow dry as well. Add a light spray of coat gloss to the body to give it an extra shine.

4. Use thinning shears to neaten the hair on the body and get rid of stray hairs. Trim the feathering with scissors.

Tips & Warnings

• Welsh Springer Spaniels have a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years.
• The Welsh Springer Spaniel is an ancient gun dog that originated in Wales before 1300 A.D. They are good working dogs and can go for hours without becoming tired. Their many talents include tracking, hunting, watchdogging and retrieving.
• This breed may suffer from hip dysplasia and some are genetically predisposed to epilepsy and entropion.