While Mr. H.C. Payne’s wording was unfortunate, he summed up the importance of the Welsh Springer Spaniel’s head this way: Cut off a Welshie’s head and all you’ve got left is is just another spaniel.” Indeed, the AKC breed standard devotes nearly 300 words to describing the breed’s head alone, starting with the statement: “The Welsh Springer Spaniel head is unique and should in no way approximate that of other spaniel breeds.”  

This “working man’s spaniel” was not bred to be glamorous or exaggerated, but a balanced head and elegant muzzle have made for a lovely head piece. A clear transition occurs from forehead to muzzle. Unique from other spaniels is that the Welshie’s head is free from any sort of exaggeration: It isn’t too coarse and it’s not too narrow. Indeed, Goldilocks would say it is, “just right.”

Image: Welsh Springer Spaniel by Karen Harding is available as art prints, home decor, and lifestyle items here