The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a small spaniel with instinctive hunting abilities. The Welsh is a gun dog which is referred to in Wales as a "starter". This is the type of hunting dog which will startle the birds, causing them to fly up for the hunter. Like most of the spaniel breeds, he is dog that is agile and quick to quarter, with a good nose and desire to work for the hunter as a partner in flushing up the birds. The Welsh Spaniel needs to be trained to the gun early to prevent "gun shy" behavior. He is a hunting breed of great perseverance. Of course he possesses a good "nose" and should also be of a fearless nature, enthusiastic and willing to hunt for hours. His numbers are not populous and this has helped to protect his strong hunting instincts. The "show breeders" of the Welsh Springer Spaniel have not placed an over emphasis on coat, or head type, which can sometimes lead to a lessening of the instinctive qualities of the dog. Nor has this dog been over bred because of extreme popularity. Thus this is a spaniel which has retained its natural abilities and can be relied on to perform the task for which he was bred.