American Water Spaniel: temperament, size, care and health

About the American Water Spaniel

The American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized, sturdy dog with a coat of close curls in liver or dark chocolate. A small white patch on the chest or toes is allowed. The tail is covered with curls and carried in line with the back, the head is moderately broad and the expression is alert. It is about the size of a large Cocker or a small Springer.

The breed was developed in the Great Lakes region, especially Wisconsin, as a versatile hunting dog that could flush and retrieve birds from a small boat or from marshes and fields. It is smaller than most retrievers, so it fits in a canoe without tipping it. The breed remains uncommon, valued by hunters and by owners who like its size and energy.

Temperament and family life

The American Water Spaniel is affectionate, eager and loyal, and typically attached to a single person or to the household as a whole. It is friendly with children and with other pets when raised among them, though it may be reserved with strangers and bark to announce them. It is not an aggressive dog.

The breed can be sensitive and may suffer from separation anxiety. A bored dog will dig, bark or chew. It loves water and may jump into any available. Prey drive is strong, so birds and small animals can be targets, and a secure yard is needed. A well-socialized dog is outgoing and cheerful.

Exercise and training

An American Water Spaniel needs an hour or so of daily activity. Swimming, retrieving and brisk walks suit it. It has the energy and stamina of a hunter and enjoys fieldwork, dock diving and agility. A few daily minutes in the yard will not be enough.

The breed is intelligent and generally eager to learn, but it can be willful and sensitive. Training should be positive, patient and consistent, with variety to keep the dog interested. Heavy-handed methods may cause it to shut down. Start socialization early, including exposure to loud noises and boats if it will be a hunting dog. Teach a firm recall and a calm settle.

Grooming and shedding

The curly coat does not shed heavily, but it needs regular care. Brush and comb once or twice a week to remove loose hair and keep it from matting, particularly after swimming. Many owners trim the coat every couple of months to keep it tidy, and show dogs have a more careful trim.

Do not bathe too often, since the natural oil in the coat helps it repel water. Check and clean the ears regularly, because they hang down and trap moisture, and dry them after swimming. Trim hair between the toes and check for burrs. Nails and teeth need ordinary regular care. The dog may have a doggy smell when wet.

Health

The breed is generally hardy, but some conditions occur. Hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism are known. Heart problems such as mitral valve disease and pulmonic stenosis are reported, as are eye conditions including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. Ear infections are frequent. Breeders should screen hips, hearts, eyes and thyroid. Keeping the dog lean protects joints and heart. None of this replaces an examination, so take questions about an individual dog to a veterinarian.

History

The breed originated in the Fox River Valley of Wisconsin in the nineteenth century, where hunters wanted a compact dog for the region's marshes and small boats. The ancestry is thought to include the Irish Water Spaniel, English Water Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever and other spaniels, though records are thin. A Wisconsin breeder, Dr. F. J. Pfeifer, is credited with promoting the breed in the early twentieth century. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 1940, and it is the state dog of Wisconsin.

Is the American Water Spaniel right for you?

An American Water Spaniel suits an active family or hunter who wants a mid-sized, trainable dog and has access to water, a yard and the time to exercise it. It is a good companion for outdoor people.

It is not ideal for people who spend long hours away, who dislike barking or who want a quiet, low-activity pet. The Boykin Spaniel is a similar size with a friendlier, more open nature. The Irish Water Spaniel is taller and more clownish, and the English Springer Spaniel is a more common choice for flushing and family life.