How Many Types Of Springer Spaniel Are There?
How Many Types Of Springer Spaniel Are There?
Maybe 'type' is not the right word - perhaps 'breed' is better, but similar breeds usually fall under the heading of 'group' in dog shows. No matter, we'll call them 'types' here. There are two types of Springer Spaniel - the Welsh Springer and the English Springer. They form part of the Spaniel family.In the 2010 Crufts Show in London, there were eight Spaniels breeds in the Gundog Group:* The Cocker Spaniel* The Clumber Spaniel* The Field Spaniel* The English Springer Spaniel* The Welsh Springer Spaniel* The Sussex Spaniel* The Irish Water Spaniel* The American Cocker SpanielSome experts would also include the Dutch Cocker Hound (Koikerhondje) and the Dutch Partridge Dog (Drentsche Patrijshond) in the gundog group as spaniels; others would include the Brittany Spaniel. There are in excess of 25 different spaniels recognised around the world (for example the Tibetan Spaniel), though some of them fall outside the Gundog Group.So, you see that there are basically two types of Springer - the English and the Welsh. They are quite similar with the most obvious differences being in colour and body conformation. The Welsh Springer is a little lower at the withers and a couple of pounds lighter; it has only one coloring - red and white - whilst the English springer has liver and white and black and white with 'optional' tan markings given a range of four basics under the English Breed Standards. The American breed standards are slightly different and have blue or liver roan as other acceptable colors.Occasionally, you will hear mention of the Field Springer. This term can be ambiguous as it could refer to the Field Spaniel or to the working line of the English Springer (which has two lines - the working line and the show dog line). These English Springer lines are distinguished by the working line being more compact and having a lighter bone structure. Proper use of 'Field' is in reference to the working line of the English Springer.The personalities of the English and Welsh Springers are much the same, including intelligence (they rank about thirteenth on the list of breeds by intelligence (according to some research), loyalty and high activity levels. 'Fun-loving' is a phrase often used in connection with Springers, as is the word 'biddable' - that is, ready and willing to follow commands. This is important in a working dog situation when there are gunshots and retrievals underway.These two Springer Spaniel types, though obviously distinctive breeds, must share a common ancestry as they are so close in many respects. For the English Springer, the ancestry includes some Cocker Spaniel and some Clumber. The English Springer's ancestors are traceable through the now extinct English Water Spaniel, back to the first century AD. The breed only emerged in its own right in the early nineteenth century. The Welsh Springer by contrast, was first registered by the Kennel Club in England in the early twentieth century.There is still some debate about where the roots of the English Springer lie - Shropshire or Norfolk? It is reasonable to speculate that the Shropshire line found its way across the border country into North Wales and thereafter the Welsh Springer developed its breed identity in the sheep country of North and Mid Wales. Speculation that may be, as the official Kennel Club view is that the Welsh Springer is an ancient breed of pure origin. Certainly, it's coloring is so distinctive that the lineage must have been pure for several centuries. How To Choose The Right Villas In Bali Your Trip to Dundee, Scotland Cultural greetings while volunteering in Africa Taiwan LED lamp efficiency standards, the requirements difficult to achieve Opportunities to Franchise India Tour Packages: Fantastic Way of Observing the Country Fellow Americans: We're Embarrassing Ourselves Enjoy the Glory of India with Golden Triangle Tour India Prepping the Grill for the Summer! The Price of Franchising What to Consider when looking for Backpackers Travel Insurance Saving Gas And Summer Driving Emergency Medical Coverage is Seriously Essential in Backpackers Travel Insurance