The Breed Standard Examined - A Comparison
| An Overview - Prepared by: A. Bancker, April 1997 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh Springer Spaniel (Std Effect: 08/01/89) | English Springer Spaniel (Std Effect: 03/31/94) | Brittany (Std Effect: 05/31/90) | |
| Topline | + Level. + Comments: Level topline refers to the overall appearance, i.e. there is no slope downwards from the withers to the rump. With a correctly arched loin there can not be a true level (flat) topline. |
+ Slopes gently from the withers to tail. | + Slight slope from the highest point of the shoulder to root of tail. |
| Body | + Loin slightly arched. + Croup slightly rounded. + Chest - well developed, muscular. + Ribs - well sprung. + Brisket reaches to elbows. + Rectangular silhouette. |
+ Loin - short and slightly arched. + Croup slopes gently. + Chest - deep with well developed forechest. + Ribs fairly long. + Body is short-coupled, strong and compact. |
+ Loins short, strong. Distance from last rib to upper thigh short, about 3 to 4 finger widths. + Back short straight. + Slight drop from hips to root of tail. + Chest - deep, reaching level of elbows. + Neither wide nor rounded. + Ribs well sprung. |
| Tail | + Extension of the topline. + Carriage is horizontal. + Generally docked. + Comments: The tail may be very slightly elevated when the Welsh is excited - this is not to be confused with a gay tail. There is an emergence of more Welsh with undocked tails - long tails should still be carried on a line with the back and the dog should still use it when moving. The long tail should not flag nor be carried saber-like. |
+ Carried horizontally or slightly elevated. + Docked. |
+ Set on high. + Tailless to approx. 4 inches. Natural or docked. |
| Fore-quarters | + Shoulder blade and upper arm approx. equal. + Upper arm set well back. + Forearms medium length. + Front legs well boned but not coarse. + Pasterns short and slightly sloping. + Height to elbow is approx. equal to distance from elbow to top of shoulder blades. |
+ Shoulder blades flat and fairly close. Blade and upper arm is of apparent equal length. + Front legs set well under body. + Forelegs straight with the same degree of size continuing to the foot. + Bone is strong, slightly flattened. + Pasterns - short, strong, slightly sloping. |
+ Shoulder blades - sloping and muscular. Not to wide, about 2 thumbs width. + Blade and upper arm form nearly 90 degree angle. + Shoulders higher than rump. + Front legs. perpendicular, not set too wide. + Leg bones clean, graceful, but not too fine. + Pasterns slightly sloping. + Height at elbow approx. equal distance elbow to withers. |
| Hind-quarters | + Strong, muscular. + Well boned but not coarse. + Thighs in profile are wide. + Second thigh is well developed. + Moderate bend of stifle. + Hocks short, with well angulated hock joint. |
+ Hard, muscular. + Thighs broad. + Stifle joints strong. + Hock joints are somewhat rounded. + Rear pasterns short. |
+ Broad, strong, muscular. + Powerful thighs. + Stifle - well bent. Not so bent as to place hack joint far out behind dog. + Hocks short, perpendicular and firm (when shaken by judge). |
| Feet | + Round. + Tight and well arched. + Thick pads. + Dewclaws generally removed. + Rear feet - as in front. |
+ Round or slightly oval. + Compact, well arched. + Medium size. + Thick pads. + Dewclaws generally removed. + Rear feet - as in front except smaller and more compact. |
+ Halfway between hare and cat foot. + Strong. + Proportionately smaller than the spaniels. + Close fitting, well arched toes. + Thick pads. + Rear feet - as in front. |
| Coat | + Straight, flat. + Soft to touch. + Not wiry or wavy. + Dense. + Moderate feathering on chest, forelegs, underside of body, and hind legs above hocks. + Excessive coat and barbering is discouraged. + Comments: Body coat hairs should also be relatively short. |
+ Medium length, flat or wavy. + Undercoat is short, soft and dense. + Moderate length and heaviness on ears, chest, legs and belly. + Excessive feathering and barbering to to be penalized. |
+ Flat or wavy. + Texture neither wiry nor silky. + Dense. + Some feathering on front, hind legs. + Too little preferable to too much. + Long or profuse feathering to be severely penalized as to be eliminated from competition. + Skin - fine and fairly loose. |
| Color | + Rich red and white. + Any pattern. + Any white area may be flecked with red ticking. + Comments: Shades of red can vary from mahogany to a lighter amber color. The shade of color is not as important as the depth and richness of the color. |
+ Black or liver with white markings. + Blue or liver roan. + Tricolor. + Any white portion of the coat may be flecked with ticking. + Lemon, red or orange are off colors. |
+ Orange or liver and white. + Clean or roan pattern. + Some ticking desirable. + Washed out color not desirable. + Black disqualifies. |
| Gait | + Smooth, powerful ground covering action. + Displays drive from rear. + Strong forward stride with a reach that does not waste energy. |
+ Long, ground covering stride. + Rear driving power. + Front legs swing forward in a free and easy manner. |
+ Smooth, efficient and ground covering. + At trot, hind foot should step into or beyond print left by front foot. |
| Tem-perament | + Active dog with affectionate disposition. + Not timid or shy. + Comments: The Welsh is a merry, active spaniel. He has an amiable disposition and is not argumentative towards people or other dogs. | + Friendly, eager to please. + Tractability. + Aggression to people or other dogs not acceptable. + Excessive timidity to be penalized. |
+ Happy, alert. + Neither mean nor shy. |
| Dis-qualifiers | None. | None. | + Under 17.5 or over 20 inches in height. + Black nose. + Black in coat. |
