Welsh Sheepdog vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Both Welsh Sheepdog and English Water Spaniel are originated from United Kingdom. Both Welsh Sheepdog and English Water Spaniel are having almost same height. Both Welsh Sheepdog and English Water Spaniel are having almost same weight. Both Welsh Sheepdog and English Water Spaniel has almost same life span. Both Welsh Sheepdog and English Water Spaniel has almost same litter size. Both Welsh Sheepdog and English Water Spaniel requires Low maintenance.

History

welsh sheepdog - historyThe Welsh Sheepdog is sometimes referred to as the Welsh Collie, but it is not a collie in anyway. It is the cross between the Border Collie and Welsh Sheepdog that is actually the Welsh Collie. The sheepdog was bred for herding not appearance and they are not all consistent in looks and size. They are a collie type but do not have recent collie ancestors. In fact the Border Collie has basically replaced the Welsh Sheepdog in herding sheep in Wales. The Welsh Sheepdog is still being bred as an indigenous breed. They are still prized for their ability to work independently and herding cattle, pigs, horses and goats as well as sheep. They were originally drovers.

In the 18th century there were many different Welsh herding dogs and one drover might have 4-6 different types of sheepdogs as guard dogs, herders and hunters. Most of these breeds were taller than the Welsh Sheepdog. By 1940 there aere only a couple of breeds doing these jobs in Wales. The purebred Welsh Hillman and Black and Tan Sheepdog were on the verge of extinction at that point.

At that time the most common dogs were descendants of the Black and Tan Sheepdog and the Border Collie. The Welsh Sheepdog was still working in central Wales and in the north country. They were purely a working breed and not a show breed in any way. They remain that today.

They are a landrace and very rare today. They have been around for more than 800 years with no effort at standardization for this working dog. They are only registered with the WSS or Welsh Sheepdog Society and the DRA Dog Registry of America.

The English Water Spaniel breed is extinct and has been since the early 1900’s. It was last seen in the 1930s. The breed was a hunting breed, diving for duck and hunting other waterfowl. Legend has it that Shakespeare was referring to this breed of dog in Macbeth when he refers to the “water rug”. Again, in Two Gentlemen of Verona one of the character states about another that “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel.’

The English Water Spaniel came along before the Irish Water Spaniel and had a part in the development the Curly Coated Retriever, the American Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. The English Water Spaniel looks somewhat like a Poodle/Springer Spaniel cross or a Collie. It is not known whether the English Water Spaniel was part of the development of the Irish Water Spaniel.

When the English Water Spaniel was first developed the UKC had a “Water Spaniels other than Irish” and the English Water Spaniel had no standard written and accepted for it yet. But by 1967 the breed was extinct. Still the American Water Spaniel and the Flat Coated Retriever are believed to be descendants of the English Water Spaniel.

Description

welsh sheepdog puppy - descriptionBred for their herding abilities not their appearance, the Welsh Sheepdog can vary in color, build and size. They have long legs, broad chests and wide muzzles. They are all around bigger than the Border Collie. They come in black and white, tricolor, red and white and merle. The coat can be short or long and the ears pricked and folded at the top.

They look most like the Border Collie with a taller, broader, more solid build. They typically are stronger than the Border. Their head is distinctly collie shaped, flat and broad with the wide muzzle. The nose is black and the eyes are oval and brown. The merles can have striking blue eyes.

This is an athletic dog and you can tell by looking at her. Well muscled, broad back and neck with a long upward tail. Their tough paws are perfect for the rough terrain and Wales mountainsides.

Resembling the Springer Spaniel, poodle, collie and setter the English Water Spaniel has very little in common with the Irish Water Spaniel in respect to looks. The English has a narrow and somewhat longer head their than other spaniels and they have long furry ears. Their body is stout, and they are shaped like a barrel – more like a Clumber. With long legs and large feet, it is ready to take to the hunt. There coat was waterproof, and their toes were webbed.

Characteristics

Characteristics

welsh sheepdog dog - characteristics1Children friendliness not really – aloof and concerned with job- all this dog wants to do is work.

2.Special talents -independent worker

3.Adaptability – Not an inside dog in any way. They need several hours of exercise per day.

4.Learning ability Highly intelligent but stubborn, independent

The English Water Spaniel was aloof with strangers but loyal with his hunter. He was a little stubborn and an excellent water dog. They loved being in the water and could enter it without making any noise so as not to frighten his prey. He was highly intelligent and trainable. He also was very affectionate with his people.

Health Problems

welsh sheepdog puppies - health problemsUsually an indigenous rare breed does not have a lot of genetic or hereditary health concerns. This is a little different with the Welsh Sheepdog can suffer from any of these conditions.

• Epilepsy – Most respond well to medication and others might not even need medication.

• Collie Eye Anomaly – This is common in collie breeds like the rough coated collie. The development of the Choroid is impaired resulting in harm to the circulation of blood to the eye.

  • Hip Dysplasia – Can lead to lameness or arthritis.

• Atopic Dermatitis – Allergic skin disorder irritating paws, ears, and perineum.

• PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy - deterioration of the retina can lead to blindness. Inherited.

  • Diabetes Mellitus – Damages pancreas, high blood sugar. Can be treated.

The English Water Spaniel is a fairly healthy breed given to some fairly common disorders such as:

Hip Dysplasia

Can lead to lameness and arthritis

Cardiac abnormalities

Arterial fib and flutter and other problems that could lead to death.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease seem in several “Dwarf” breeds such as Corgis, as well as in many spaniels. This is the canine version of Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS and it is fatal.

Caring The Pet

Caring for Dog

welsh sheepdog dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy active dog feed high quality high protein food. 3-4 x day 1-2 cups

2.Feeding the adult Active dog feed high quality high protein 2x day 2 cups a day.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and intelligence

4. Games and Exercises This is an extremely active breed that needs a job. They are not the best pets they are working dogs. They need a lot of exercise. They are not good at living indoors. At least 2 hours of exercise daily is a must.

Feeding

The English Water Spaniel is not an overly energetic dog and has a tendency to over eat. Feed him 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dry dog food over two meals each day.

Health issues

In addition to the health issues mentioned earlier, the English Water Spaniel is also prone to:

Baldness

Pattern baldness – is genetic and occurs on the neck and back of the hind legs.

Cataracts

English Water Spaniels can have these in old age like most other breeds.

Retinal Dysplasia

Clumps form in the retinal tissue and can lead to blindness

Exercise and games

The English Water Spaniel was a worker and an outdoor athlete at a time before organized canine games and activities such as agility and flyball. They loved to swim, and they loved to hunt. Without a job to do they could become barky and destructive.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Sporting dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
Height Female:
48 - 54 cm
18 - 22 inches
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 25 kg
35 - 56 pounds
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 22 kg
30 - 49 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
4 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
welsh collie
Water Dog, Water Rug
Colors Available:
blue merle and tricolored Black and white • Red and white
liver and white
Coat:
soft undercoat short to moderately long, and it can be coarse or soft.
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Protective, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. French Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  2. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. Finnish Spitz vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. English Water Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  6. English Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  7. English Water Spaniel vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  8. English Water Spaniel vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  9. English Water Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. English Water Spaniel vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  11. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  12. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  13. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  14. Field Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  15. Lagotto Romagnolo vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  16. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Slovakian Hound vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  19. Small Munsterlander vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  20. Sussex Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  21. Kooikerhondje vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Welsh Sheepdog vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  27. Welsh Sheepdog vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Welsh Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  29. Welsh Sheepdog vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Welsh Sheepdog vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  31. Welsh Sheepdog vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  32. Welsh Sheepdog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Welsh Sheepdog vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Welsh Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  35. Welsh Sheepdog vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Welsh Sheepdog vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  37. Welsh Sheepdog vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  38. Welsh Sheepdog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  39. Welsh Sheepdog vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  40. Welsh Sheepdog vs Pyrenean Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Welsh Sheepdog vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  42. Welsh Sheepdog vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  43. Welsh Sheepdog vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Welsh Sheepdog vs Queensland Heeler - Breed Comparison
  45. Welsh Sheepdog vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  46. Welsh Sheepdog vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Sheepdog vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  48. Welsh Sheepdog vs Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  49. Welsh Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  50. Welsh Sheepdog vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds