American Water Spaniel – navy seal of retrievers
Featured image by © bigstockphoto.com / Radomir Rezny
What is an American Water Spaniel?
The American Water Spaniel, a midsize gundog is a native of the upper Midwest USA. They are generally upbeat, athletic, love to hunt and swim, and have been an all-around hunting and farm dog since the 18th century. They were probably developed from the Curly-Coated Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Field Spaniel, and Old English Water Spaniel. This dog was known for its ability as an outstanding bird dog in lakes, rivers, woods and swamps. The breed’s diverse lineage makes the American Water Spaniel a cross between a retriever and a spaniel, and gives it an uncanny ability to retrieve on land, and in water. This dog worked well with both flushing game, retrieving game, and even pointing out squirrels in trees by barking.
Pros and Cons
- Easy going, gentle, and playful. Makes a great companion for children.
- Water Spaniels adapt well to all living environments. They fare OK in apartments, though not ideal
- Great dog breed for senior citizens
- Moderate shedding overall
- They are a versatile hunter, and enjoy water activities.
- American Water Spaniels don't do well with allergy sufferers
- They are not so good around other dogs
- They are an expensive breed, and adoption waiting lists can be long
- American Water Spaniels can have a strong tendency to nip, chew, and herd people.
- They are sensitive creatures and very prone to separation anxiety.
Appearance and Size
Group: Sporting (AKC)
Height: 15 – 18 inches
Weight: 25 – 45 pounds
The American Water Spaniel is an active, muscular, medium-sized dog, with a crisp, tightly curled or wavy outer coat. Colors are limited to liver or chocolate, and can sometimes have a small white spot on the chest. Their long ears are covered with curls, and eye color comes in shades of brown or hazel. They have a feathered tail which is used as a rudder when swimming.
Temperament
This highly intelligent and trainable dog is very happy, enthusiastic and eager to learn, especially when it comes to any form of hunting. The American Water Spaniel is friendly, energetic, confident and persistent. These highly obedient dogs make great family companions and are great with children. They are highly trainable and suited to a variety of dog sports. Training should be undertaken in a calm, firm, quiet, and persuasive manner. Heavy-handed training methods are not necessary with this willing spaniel. They get along with other pets and love lots of attention. The key to the American Water Spaniel’s happiness is activity with their human. A lack of physical and mental stimulation will result in your dog becoming hyper, barky and destructive.
Grooming
The American Water Spaniel has a dense, waterproof, oily coat which may have a strong smell due to the oil. Weekly brushing is required. It is advisable to bathe this dog only when necessary, as bathing can dry out the oils in their skin and result in dry, flaky skin. This breed is considered a light to moderate shedder, shedding heavily twice a year. A slicker brush should be used on the undercoat during shedding season. Like all dogs, nails should be trimmed regularly.
Health
These dogs are fairly healthy overall, though some lines being prone to skin problems and baldness. Other common issues include: Allergies, anal gland problems, arthritis, cardiac abnormalities, Cushing’s disease, diabetes, dysplasia (elbow and hip), ear infections, eye problems, hypothyroidism.
Life Expectancy
The American Water Spaniel typically lives around 12-14 Years
5 Fun Facts About American Water Spaniels
- They were bred in Wisconsin in the 1800's solely as a hunting assistant. They were not recognized by the AKC until 1940
- The American Water Spaniel apparently loves to eat bananas!
- They were specifically bred to retrieve from boats, hence thier love for boating and water.
- The American Water Spaniel is the official state dog of Wisconsin. It was given the honor in 1986.
- American Water Spaniels can become one-person dogs. They will always be friendly toward other family members though
Environment
The American Water Spaniel does best with at least an average-sized yard. They like to roam in search of quarry, and it is recommended that they receive lots of physical exercise including long daily walks. Please ensure your fence is adequate as they have high wanderlust tendencies and like to roam and go hunting on their own. They are well suited for active families and at a minimum, require daily vigorous play sessions with their owner.
If you’re looking to add an American Water Spaniel to your family, consider adopting one instead. Rescuing an animal is a win-win for all, and you save a life.
