Rheged Springer Spaniels
 

RHEGED | WSS Breed Standards



A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, & appearance of a breed & ensures that the breed is "fit for function" with soundness essential. Breeders & judges should at all times, be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.   

NB ~ In Australia, the WSS is judged by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) Breed Standard, as issued by the UK Kennel Club (KC), & it can be viewed BELOW. However, I have also included versions issued by the American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) & the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) at the bottom of this page purely out of interest & it is well worth scrolling down to read them. You will also find a PDF link for an excellent illustrated version of the WSS Standard presented by 'The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America'. As will be seen reading the tail definitions ~ tail docking, although banned in Australia is still allowed in the United States, Canada & other countries around the world.

~ AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL KENNEL COUNCIL STANDARD ~
(Group 3 ~ Gundogs)
~ WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL ~ 

ANKC WSS Extended Breed Standard

General Appearance:
Symmetrical, compact, not leggy, obviously built for endurance & hard work. Quick & active mover, displaying plenty of push & drive.
Characteristics:
Very ancient & distinct breed of pure origin. Strong, merry & very active.
Temperament:
Kindly disposition, not showing aggression or nervousness.
Head And Skull:
Skull of proportionate length, slightly domed, clearly defined stop, well chiselled below eyes. Muzzle of medium length, straight, fairly square. Nostrils well developed, flesh coloured to dark brown.
Eyes:
Hazel or dark, medium size, not prominent, nor sunken, nor showing haw.
Ears:
Set moderately low & hanging close to cheeks. Comparatively small & gradually narrowing towards tip & shaped somewhat like a vine leaf.
Mouth:
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular & complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth & set square to the jaws.
Neck:
Long, muscular, clean in throat, neatly set into sloping shoulders.
Forequarters:
Forelegs of medium length, straight, well boned.
Body:
Not long, strong & muscular. Deep brisket, well sprung ribs. Length of body should be proportionate to length of leg. Loin muscular & slightly arched. Well coupled.
Hindquarters:
Strong & muscular, wide & fully developed with deep second thighs. Hindlegs well boned, hocks well let down, stifles moderately angled, neither turning in nor out.
Feet:
Round, with thick pads. Firm & cat like, not large or spreading.
Tail: (Tail Docking is now banned in Australia)
  • Docked: Well set on & low, never carried above level of back. Lively in action.
  • Undocked: Well set on & low, never carried above level of back. Lively in action. If 'Feathered', in balance with the rest of the dog.

Gait/Movement:
Smooth, powerful, ground covering action; driving from rear.
Coat:
Straight or flat, silky texture, dense, never wiry or wavy. Curly coat highly undesirable. Forelegs & hindlegs above hocks moderately feathered, ears & tail lightly feathered.
Colour:
Rich 'Red & White' only.
Sizes:
Approx. Height: Dogs 48 cms (19 ins) at withers Bitches 46 cms (18 ins) at withers.
Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault & the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree & its effect upon the health & welfare of the dog, & on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Notes:
Male animals should have two (2) apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated: 5 Aug 2009

American Kennel Club (AKC) WSS Breed Standard
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) WSS Breed Standard
Illustrated Standard WSS ~ WSS Club America

 ~ FÉDÉRATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE (FCI) WSS BREED STANDARD ~

(FCI Standard N° 126 / 28.10.2009 / GB) 

~ WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL ~ 

ORIGIN: Great Britain.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD: 28.07.2009

UTILIZATION: Flushing dog.

CLASSIFICATION FCI:   

  • 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 & active mover, displaying plenty of push & drive.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT: Very ancient & distinct breed of pure origin. Strong, merry & 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.
Jaw/Teeth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular & complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth & set square to the jaws.
Eyes: Hazel or dark, medium size, neither prominent, nor sunken, not showing haw.
Ears: Set moderately low & hanging close to cheeks.  Comparatively small & gradually narrowing towards tip & shaped somewhat like a vine leaf.

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

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

TAIL: Previously customarily docked. 

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

LIMBS:
FOREQUARTERS: Forelegs of medium length, straight, well boned.
Forefeet: Round, with thick pads. Firm and cat-like, not large or spreading.

HINDQUARTERS: Strong & muscular, wide and fully developed.  Hindlegs well boned.
Stifle: Moderately angled, neither turning in nor out.
Second thigh: Deep.
Hock: Well let down.
Hind 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 & tail lightly feathered.

COLOUR: Rich 'Red & White' only.

SIZE & WEIGHT:  

  • Approximate height:
  • Dogs ~ 48 cms (19 ins) at withers
  • Females ~ 46 cms (18 ins) at withers

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

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
Aggressive or overly shy.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

NB: Male animals should have two (2) apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
 

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Contact Details

Nicola & Peter Jones
Berry Springs, NT, Australia
Email : [email protected]