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The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a flushing breed and was bred to hunt, flush and retrieve birds. An important attribute of the Welsh Springer is that there is no split between field and show lines. WSSCA encourages support for the field programs by its members. To learn more about Welsh Springers in the field please review the information below, and click on the links to the AKC pages on Spaniel Hunt Test Information and Regulations.
Each breed has a unique hunting style which judges consider in evaluating performance at a Hunt Test. Click on the link to read about the Welsh Springer’s Hunting Style.
· WSSCA Working Dog/Working Dog Excellent Tests.
· AKC Junior Hunter Test.
· AKC Senior Hunter Test.
· AKC Master Hunter Test.
Below are a summary of the requirements and major test elements for each level and a description of the Welsh Springer’s Hunting Style. Please also refer to the links below for additiional information and resources about field work with your Welsh Springer.
If, in the opinion of the judges, the dog passes ALL portions of the test the dog will be awarded the Working Dog (WD) Certificate. Further, if in the opinion of the judges, the dog passes ALL portions of the test in an excellent manner the dog will be awarded the Working Dog Excellent (WDX) Certificate.
Judges evaluate if the dog hunts enthusiastically and retrieves, but need not be steady to wing and shot. It should show no fear in questing or entering cover and must be under reasonable control. It must also work at a reasonable distance from its handler. Game should be returned to within “close proximity” of the handler. Excessive yelling, signaling or whistling is discouraged. The dog may be gently restrained on the line at water.
The Working Dog may be directed to game if dog fails to mark and should maintain reasonable working distance from handler. During the test the dog must find, flush and have opportunity to retrieve one bird on land and must retrieve a thrown dead bird from water. The dog must swim to retrieve and a shot must be fired.
At the junior level the dog must hunt enthusiastically and retrieve but need not be steady to wing and shot. It should show no fear in questing or entering cover and must be under reasonable control. It must also work at a reasonable distance from its handler. Junior dogs should return game to within “close proximity” of it handler. Excessive yelling, signaling or whistling is discouraged. Dogs may be gently restrained on the line at water.
To earn a qualifying Junior score a dog must find, flush and have the opportunity to retrieve two birds on land. In addition, it must retrieve a third bird from water at a distance of at least 20 yards with a shot fired.
The Senior Hunter Dog must display all the attributes of a Junior Hunter Dog. In addition, it should display a true boldness to cover and a distinct pattern in addressing the areas where birds are likely to be without unnecessarily covering the same area twice. At the Senior level the dog must maintain a proper working distance and should not be looking constantly at its handler for directions. Dogs are not required to be steady to wing and shot on land but should not show uncontrolled chasing for flyaways. Senior dogs must remain steady for the water retrieve without any physical restraint or excessive verbal restraint. Retrieves for all birds must be to hand.
The Senior test requires the dog to find, flush and retrieve two birds on land to hand and retrieve a third bird to hand from water at a distance of at approximately 30 yards with a shot fired. Senior dogs must be line steady at the water. Additionally, at the Senior level the dog must also “hunt dead” on a land blind of approximately 20 yards and retrieve the bird to hand.
The Master Hunter Dog must display all the attributes of a Senior Hunter Dog plus it must give a truly polished and finished performance. The dog must systematically hunt all areas where birds are likely to be found using its intelligence and ability to read the wind and actually find and flush birds. At the master level the dog must never be underfoot and seeking directions except in unusual conditions and should remain in suitable gun range. A Master Hunter Dog should never show uncontrolled chasing on any bird and must always be under the handlers control.
The Master Hunter Dog must find, flush and retrieve two birds on land to hand and retrieve a third bird to hand from water at a distance of at approximately 30 yards with a shot fired. The dog must be steady to wing and shot and never be sent to retrieve until steadiness is demonstrated. At the water, the dog must be line steady. Further, it the will also be tested on a blind water retrieve at a distance of approximately 30 yards. An additional test element is a “hunt dead” on a land blind of approximately 40 yards.
Provided by the WSSCA Field Committee and WSSCA Board of Directors.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a dog that exhibits joy and enthusiasm in the field. The Welsh Springer Spaniel’s exuberance for the time afield is evident in its animated action.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel most often quarters at a brisk trot, in an often-methodical manner, while using his intelligence and nose to seek game. The Welsh Springer Spaniel covers ground within gun range with no fear of cover, always showing desire and enthusiasm. The Welsh Springer Spaniel’s flush easily produces birds for the gun. The majority of Welsh Springer Spaniels, once acquiring bird scent, will work a trail diligently, alternating between air and ground scenting. At times they may hesitate briefly when first indicating scent before trailing enthusiastically. Once close to the bird and many times just before the flush, a Welsh Springer Spaniel will hesitate, pausing briefly. This brief pause is followed by a definitive drive toward the bird to complete the flush. Any hesitation is slight so as to not allow a bird to run out of the handler’s area. The quartering pattern of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is thorough and methodical, but is never a pottering action.
Retrieving should be done in a pleasing manner to quickly return quarry to the handler. The enthusiasm should show a desire to please. The Welsh Springer Spaniel should always exhibit bidability allowing for quiet handling, exhibiting teamwork between dog and handler.
Approved: WSSCA Board of Directors April, 2007
