Buying a Welsh Springer Spaniel Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; full ophthalmological testing before breeding, to include gonioscopy (includes checks for multiple inherited eye diseases)
- checks for many inherited and physical abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain. Gonioscopy tests for goniodysgenesis /PLA (pectinate ligament abnormality) which assesses a predisposition for primary glaucoma, a painful progressive eye disease leading to blindness. The BVA recommend gonioscopy is carried out every three years to assess for progression of PLA.
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Ear infections
- more likely in dogs with long, hairy ears; can be allergy related
- Epilepsy
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- Factor VII deficiency
- slow blood clotting
Other Tests
- Some laboratories may offer genetic tests for other rare inherited conditions in this breed