WSS registrations

WSS registrations at the AKC are down to levels not seen since the 1970s.  Only 207 were registered in 2013.  Total welshies in the U.S. depends on the proportion of total dogs born that are registered and, of course, average lifespan.

Lifespan is 12-15 years, so say 13.5 years.

Registrations are trickier.  Not every owner (or breeder) registers his or her dog.  Let's say that 50% are registered.  Then a run-rate of 200 dogs every year would imply an equilibrium of 5,400 total Welsh Springer Spaniels in the U.S.  

British understatement

"Welsh Springers, particularly males, have immense energy and a strong nose for following game scents, even if that is not your interest."

-Welsh Springer Spaniel Club, United Kingdom 

Goodbye, Dukie

Duke provided a wonderful respite to the dogless interlude at our house.  With Larsen at the farm, we were in withdrawl, and along came this lanky, sweet Welsh Springer Spaniel for the 4th of July week.  Duke and I  hiked Lake Alatoona maybe 3 times, maybe 4.  We hiked one time with Cindy and her labradoodle mixes and had a wonderful time while Aki ran her 10-K race in downtown Atlanta.  Duke even left the trail and tracked deer and field mice.  He waded into the lake up to his bib, and barked at the twigs as they floated beyond his reach.

Aki and I will miss this dear little dog as he moves with owners Margaret and Peter to the South Carolina coast.

After a day at the lake, Duke is ready for some R&R.

This red & white pancake is a sweet spaniel.

"What's everyone doing on the floor?"

Welshie sprawl

The Welshie sprawl is an uncomfortable-looking position with the rear legs spread out in a most unflattering way.  It's pretty funny to see.  Larsen might go for the one-legged version on occasion, but Duke happily demonstrates the full Monty.

Duke's visit

Margaret and Peter are moving to the coast and their home sale went through more quickly than anticipated.  They are between homes, shall we say, and the logistics have made one red & white dog a third wheel.

As a result, Aki and I are puppy sitting Duke for a week.  Duke is a few months older than Larsen which at one time seemed to make Duke a demigod for the little puppy.  Of course, that changed as Larsen grew and became more challenging to other male WSSs.  Now a little grey in the muzzle, there remains in Duke the joyful puppy that we remember.  He still chases butterflies and dragonflies, whereas these might elicit not much more than an absent-minded snap from Larsen were they to venture too close.

We will miss Duke and hope that we get time to visit him when we are on the coast.

Duke watches intently as Peter and Margaret drive off.

A comforting spot.  This intersection of patio, kitchen, and dining area is also one of Larsen's favorite spots.  

Duke opens up and relaxes on a warm Friday night in June.

Bronwyn

Veterinarian and Welsh Springer Spaniel lover John S. submits  this video of his dog, Bronwyn.

John and Bronwyn huddle prior to a hunt test run.

2012 breed rankings

Welsh Springer Spaniels clawed their way up from 130 to 125 (out of 175) and 17 out of 24 in the sporting dogs group.  They were nosed out by the newcomer Boykin spaniel and even the Spinoni!  

Scenes from the Hunting Test

The Hunting Test had a nice variety of flushing spaniels.

(click on the photo to see the whole photo as a slideshow. Photos courtesy of Susan W.)

This 18-month-old Boykin Spaniel earned a Master Hunter leg


Clumber Spaniel


American Water Spaniel


Welsh Springer Spaniel


American Cocker Spaniel


An English Springer Spaniel (pickup dog)


An American Water Spaniel Puppy

Cage match, summer style

It's much too hot to do much horsing around, so Larsen and Caden do the next best thing by wrestling under the picnic table after dinner.

Statesman's Silver Lining (Gabel), 11/20/08 - 5/3/11

Little Gable visited at 10 weeks. He was a sweet and surprisingly talkative little imp. We will miss him. Our condolences to Rieses and Bassels at Statesman Welsh Springer Spaniels.


Gabel pays a visit.








Gabel grunts & oinks his way through some chow as Duke looks on.




Play time.








Gabel roughs up Larsen.









Aki and Gabel visit the Uffizi.








A tired little puppy.








Is there anything sweeter?


Gabel is packed up and heads for home.

Fortune smiles

Larsen's guardian angels did not get Easter weekend off as they saved the little mutt from harm at Lake Allatoona last Saturday.

Aki and I were at the lake just off Exit 283 of I-75. A pathway at the lakeside park is an old railbed from the Chattanooga-to-Atlanta rail line that had been the site of some long-ago Civil War action.

We were walking along the pathway that had been cut from the hills. Larsen was at 20 feet above us, on top of the cut, exploring. A jogger and dog came along and we chatted. Larsen decided to join, and unhappily also decided to to take a short-cut that involved a headlong plunge over the side.

Larsen hit the ground and flipped. I scooped him up on the flip and grabbed him to me. Miraculously, he was uninjured. He didn't vocalize a sound when he hit. He seemed unfazed and did not make any yips or cries when I poked and prodded his gut, ribs, and joints.

I can only think that he hit and skidded on the leaves and debris that had piled up at an angle in the berm at the bottom of the cliff. This angled berm produced a sliding glancing landing, rather than the brutal impact that would have occurred with perpendicular ground. Either that or someone was looking out for the little dog.



Larsen invents a new way to give Frank a heart attack.

Wiggling puppies

For your Tuesday morning.