Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison

Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Hellenic Hound - Breed ComparisonHellenic Hound is originated from Greece but Welsh Springer Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom. Hellenic Hound may grow 7 cm / 3 inches higher than Welsh Springer Spaniel. Both Hellenic Hound and Welsh Springer Spaniel are of same weight. Both Hellenic Hound and Welsh Springer Spaniel has almost same life span. Both Hellenic Hound and Welsh Springer Spaniel has almost same litter size. Hellenic Hound requires Low Maintenance. But Welsh Springer Spaniel requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Sporting dog
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Greece
United Kingdom
Height Male:
47 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
46 - 48 cm
18 - 19 inches
Height Female:
45 - 53 cm
17 - 21 inches
43 - 46 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
17 - 20 kg
37 - 45 pounds
18 - 20 kg
39 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
16 - 18 kg
35 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
6 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Greek Hound or the Hellenikos Ichnilatis The Hellenic Hound, Greek Harehound
Welshie Welsh Spaniel Welsh Cocker Spaniel Welsh Starter
Colors Available:
Black with tan markings
red and white
Coat:
Short, smooth, sleek
Naturally straight flat and soft to the touch, never wiry or wavy feathered coat
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant
Temperament:
Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Responsive, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

hellenic houndDeveloped in Southern Greece, the Hellenic Hound was bred to hunt hare and is an ancient breed. It is a medium sized breed with strong scent and tracking skills. It is believed to have been in existence for thousands of years. The ancestry of the breed included the Lagonikoi or laconikoi, native to southern Greece in ancient times. The breed was spread by sailors on Greece trading ships and colonization.

Todays Hellenic Hound is found throughout Europe. Kept somewhat isolated by the mountains, the breed was protected from outside breeding and they remained pure for centuries. It is a fearless, smart and hyped up purebred. The Hellenic Hound needs to have a job and if you don’t give him one, he will find one. He is smart and independent which sometimes makes him stubborn. It also takes this dog longer to mature than others, sometime between two and three years. It is not good for first time owners. Today’s hound is still a popular hunting dog and companion animal as well. They are rarely seen outside of the Greek country.

In 1996 the Hellenic Hound was recognized as the first Greek dog breed into the FCI. They are not recognized by the AKC. Its numbers continue to decline.

welsh springer spanielThe Welsh Springer Spaniel is thought to be an old Land Spaniel similar to the English Springer Spaniel. They were pretty mush an unknown breed until they won a string of dog trials and became more popular. Following this surge the breed was recognized by the UKC in 1902 and were named the Welsh Springer Spaniel. No one really knows when the breed was developed and cannot be traced because of lack of documentation. They were brought to America in the early 1900’s and were recognized as a breed by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1906.

There are images of a dog looking a lot like the Welsh Springer Spaniel in old prints and pictures. The pictures are of a dog known as a Land Spaniel very much like the Welsh Springer Spaniel. These dogs were thought to be preserved by the Welsh and originally called the Welsh Starter. It was a hunting breed working with falcons.

At one point the breed was called the Welsh Spaniel and was also in the UK studbook as a Cocker Spaniel or a Welsh Cocker. There were several different types of Cocker Spaniels including the English Cocker, the Welsh Cocker, the Devonshire Cocker. The Welsh Cocker Spaniel was a solid dark color while the Welsh and Devonshire Cockers were liver colored.

Following World War II there were no dogs left in Wales or anywhere else in the United Kingdom whose parents were registered pedigree. The unregistered dogs were used to restart the breed and these dogs are the ancestors of the modern Welsh Springer Spaniel.

The breed is still rare with only 299 registered in the UK in 2016. They are listed now a vulnerable Native Breed.

Description

hellenic hound puppy - descriptionToday’s Hellenic Hound is not a big dog but rather very average or medium. It is an athletic dog and looks like it. It has a balanced body with a deep chest and thick neck. It has medium height legs that are strong and muscular with paws that are prepared for the terrain it always works on. Its coat is short and tight. The colors of the Hellenic Hound are black with tan or white on the chest. Their heads are noble and rounded with a rectangle shaped muzzle. They have v shaped, long ears and round eyes. Their toe nails are black and so is their nose. It has excellent scent glands, very quick responses, speed and stamina. Their tail is thick and tapers off.

welsh springer spaniel puppy - descriptionThe breed is a medium size, solid and compact dog bred to work. Their forequarters are angled and there hindquarters are well developed. This is a very good looking breed that is only red with white markings. A hard working dog bred to hunt. They are slighter longer than tall and are not penalized as long as the height tis not greater than the length.

The tail in docked except in countries where it is illegal to do so. Their eyes should be brown. Noses are black or brown. The ears are small with a fethering like most setters. The show and field styles are the same. They are confused with the Engolish Springer Spaniel even though there are many differences. But both breeds are born to hunt and “spring” at the prey. They are smaller than the English Springer Spaniel and larger than the English Cocker Spaniel.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

hellenic hound dog - characteristicsyes, they are very fond of children as long as they are carefully socialized.

Special talents

Great hunter, stamina ,scent, voice

Adaptable

He needs to have a yard or land. He doesn’t do well in apartments.

Learning

The breed is very intelligent and can be very trainable. However, they can also be stubborn and that makes training harder.

Characteristics

welsh springer spaniel dog - characteristics1Children friendliness yes they love their own children, but might be wary of others.

2.Special talents - endurance and stamina are intense with this breed.

3.Adapability – not that good in an apartment as this is a rare working dog.

4.Learning ability - intelligent and willing

Health Problems

hellenic hound puppies - health problemsThe Hellenic Hound is a fairly healthy breed having been isolated on the Island of Greece for the most part. They are susceptible to:

Joint dysplasia

Could be hips, elbows or knees. If untreated can lead to lameness or inability to walk.

Arthritis

Causes joint pain and can cause lameness or inability to walk.

Bloat

Can be fatal if not treated immediately. To avoid it don’t feed a large meal before or after exercise.

Hunting injuries

Can be a variety of things that occur during the hunt.

Ear infections

Need to keep the ears clean and dry in order to avoid infections.

Health Problems

The Welsh Springer Spaniel has a few serious health concerns such as:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.

welsh springer spaniel puppies - health problems• Eye Diseases – Glaucoma can cause blindness; Entropian – eyelids curl inwards and can damage the cornea.

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis – can be treated with medication.
  • Ear infections – be sure to keep them clean to prevent this.
  • Epilepsy – as many spaniels have. Can be treated with medications.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

hellenic hound dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day a total of 2 cups

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult twice a day a total of 2-3 cups

Points for Good Health

The Hellenic Hound has excellent stamina, speed and scenting ability.

Games and Exercises

This is a very active, athletic dog that needs to work and needs exercise. He is powerful, quick and has great endurance. It thrives on hunting but will need other activities on the days it doesn’t hunt. It needs a yard or land to play in. Agility, Field Trials, tracking, hunting and fly ball are all activities the Hellenic Hound will enjoy.

welsh springer spaniel dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy active puppy. Feed breed specific or medium breed high quality dogfood. Feed ½ -3/4 cup in 2-3 meals

2.Feeding the adult active breed. Feed breed specific or medium breed high quality dogfood. Feed 1-1/2 cup in 1-2meals

3.Points for Good Health endurance/stamina – can outlast many hunting dogs.

4. Games and Exercises – Needs a secure fenced yard. Loves sports and outdoor activity. Agility, obedience, rally, tracking and loves to run, bike and hike.

Comparison with other breeds

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  27. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
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  29. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison