Croeso/Welcome,

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a strong, merry active spaniel easily identified by its rich red and white coat. This type of dog was bred for hunting rabbits, birds and other game in the undergrowth and getting them to run or fly, originally for the falcon but nowadays for the gun.

This was the original meaning of 'springing' and hence the term 'springer'. In Wales, the Welsh Springer Spaniel was known as a separate and distinct variety and can be traced with certainty to the eighteenth century, although the term 'spaniel' was first found in the 1300s.

It is the only breed of gundog native to Wales.

The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales was founded in 1980. It's the only club in Wales which is specifically dedicated to furthering the interests of the Welsh Springer Spaniel. Whether you show, work or just keep your dog as a pet the Club has something for everyone.

With two Open Shows and a Championship Show annually together with working assessment tests, regular gundog training days, show ringcraft training, agility, obedience, Show Gundog Working Certificate, fun days, and grooming demonstrations etc., we keep ourselves extremely busy.

The Club is particularly active in the South Wales area but membership is open to all Welsh springer enthusiasts wherever you live and advice on any aspect of Welsh Springer Spaniel owning or breeding is readily and freely available to all members.

We hope you enjoy our site.

Please note, we are experiencing problems with adding new content to this website at the moment. We are working to update it - if you can't find the information you want, please contact us via the details on the contacts page.

** Be sure to check out the Gallery link on the left - there's a great set of photos from Rhun Evans of our recent Training Day at Pentyrch **

Assessment Test
for all minor breeds and show spaniels (Excluding Irish Water Spaniels)

To be held on Sunday 26th May, 2013

At Tyn-y- Coed. Pentyrch, Cardiff, CF15 9NP (by kind permission or Mr. R. Board)

Judges: Mr. Allan Hender (A-panel HPRs, 2887) and Mrs. Sue Hender both of West Berkshire Gundog Club

DEFINITIONS

Special Beginners:
Neither handler nor dog having been placed 1st or 2nd in a SB test nor having won any awards in Puppy/Novice/Intermediate/Open test nor won awards at a field trial/shooting dog day. Awards in this class cannot qualify for points towards WSSCSW annual awards.

Puppy:
Between 6 and 18 months on day of test.

Novice:
Not having been placed 1st twice in Novice in a minor breeds test.
Not having been placed first in an AV Novice test
Not having been placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Open or Intermediate stake
Not having been placed in awards or awarded a COM in a Field Trial
Not having gained a K.C Gundog Working Certificate/Show Gundog Working
Certificate nor being placed on a Shooting Dog Day.

Intermediate:
Any dog qualified to run in a minor breeds test.

ENTRY FEES
Members: £5.00 per dog, £1.50 for subsequent entries with the same dog.
Non-members: £6.00 per dog, £1.50 with subsequent entries with same dog.
(cheques to be made payable to WSSCSW)

Closing date: Entries to be received by 17th May 2013

Dummies:
Must be in canvas in a natural colour (not white/orange) and may be fur/ feather -covered. Please note that Intermediate dogs should use full-sized dummies and all dummies must conform to the colour standard.

Exercises:
All exercises will be at the discretion of the judges but may include hunting, seen and unseen retrieves. The Special Beginner and Puppy exercises may include walking to heel, steadiness and recall. There may be a water test.
All contestants must be willing to adapt to the judges' set tests.

Time:
meet at 9.15 for a prompt 9.45 start

Refreshments:
Very reasonably-priced refreshments will be available all day.

Awards:
Cards and rosettes 1st -4th will be awarded in every class (at the judges' discretion) and (also at the judges's discretion) there'll be a certificate for Best in Test. There is a new trophy for Best Hunter. Established trophies will be awarded.

Would anyone holding a trophy please either bring it with them or arrange for it to be returned to WSSCSW

Raffle:
Raffle prizes would be very much appreciated

Entries:
Please click here to download an Entry Form.

The completed form should be returned to: Mary Evans, 11 Westward Close, Swansea SA3 5DJ

Please note that the test will be held on land adjacent to Pentyrch Boarding Kennels CF15 9NP. You can google their directions and watch for last minute signs. Otherwise follow: Follow A470 signs to Merthyr Tydfil. Once on A470 (approx .75 of a mile) take 1st exit signposted Radyr and Taff's Well. Turn 1st exit left over river bridge and 3rd exit at roundabout ahead signposted Pentyrch. Follow road up hill approx one mile into village of Pentyrch. At T-junction turn right and immediately right again into Mountain Road. Follow this road for approx .75 of a mile and then turn either right opposite Pentyrch Kennels or left into Pentyrch Kennels depending on the signs set on the day.