American water spaniel

June 9, 2022 January 5, 2023

The American water spaniel is a young breed compared to European and English spaniels, but he bears many of the traits of his ancestors – including his reputation as a companion dog and a versatile hunter and retriever. He has tons of energy and, true to his name, is a strong swimmer with webbed feet and a uniquely waterproof coat.

This dog is very rare outside of his native Wisconsin, although this is where he was bred to work and it’s the specific environment he was developed for. He is a high-energy dog with a wide repertoire of hunting skills: from flushing, springing and retrieving, to even hunting rabbit.

History

The origins of the American water spaniel are the same as most other spaniels – old-world spaniels (from Spain) that were distinguished from each other based on their tasks and the terrain in which they worked, and redeveloped with very specific gundog skills. The American water spaniel’s modern history began in the mid-nineteenth century in the Great Lakes region in the American Midwest.

European settlers in the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota needed hunting dogs to retrieve the waterfowl on which they depended. While the European spaniels and other gundogs had been sufficient on their home continent, these breeds needed some refining in order to thrive and work successfully on their new terrain. It’s believed that the American water spaniel comprises the DNA of at least the Irish water spaniel, the (now extinct) English water spaniel, field spaniel, and the curly-coated retriever.

No matter his origins, the American water spaniel is praised for his versatility, his swimming abilities (they say he looks like a seal in the water), and his bold enthusiasm for his job. He’s built to withstand cold water as well as thorns and twigs, and he’s small enough to accompany his human on small watercraft to retrieve downed fowl. By the early 20th century, when larger retrievers were more functional and specialised, the American water spaniel’s popularity declined and he needed to be rescued from obscurity.

Thanks to the tireless work of Dr Fred J. Pfeifer, the American water spaniel was recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1940 and became the state dog of Wisconsin in 1985. He remains very rare as few puppies are available each year.

Temperament

It’s the American water spaniel’s eagerness and enthusiasm that underlies his personality. He loves being outdoors and he loves the work he does – as long as he’s working with his human, he’s happy. If he’s out of commission or not exercised regularly or vigorously enough, the American water spaniel can get temperamental, bark too much and engage in destructive behaviours. Like most gundogs, he needs to be kept busy in order to balance his emotional wellbeing.

Health

The American water spaniel is a medium-size breed who will live upwards of 11 years. He is fairly healthy, but it’s necessary for breeders to genetically test their breeding dogs to ensure they do not pass on any health conditions to their puppies. The American water spaniel is susceptible to:

Eye disorders – Cataracts, retinal dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy
Growth hormone responsive dermatitis – Affects male dogs more than females, and results in varying degrees of hair loss
Saddle alopecia – Hair loss on specific areas of the body
Hip dysplasia
Epilepsy
Allergies
Hypothyroidism

Exercise Requirements

The American water spaniel must get a lot of exercise for physical and mental stimulation. He needs a large area (like a backyard or the park) to let off steam for at least an hour a day, but is most satisfied when he has a job to do or a task to perform. If he can’t hunt or retrieve, then canine sports are another way to give him a goal or objective to work towards and use up his excess energy.

Early and consistent socialisation are key to ensuring the American water spaniel learns his manners with other humans and animals. He is naturally wary of strangers, so socialisation is a good opportunity for him to learn some manners and self-confidence. Next is obedience training, which is also critical, as the American water spaniel can be quite stubborn. He needs a calm, patient, yet unrelenting hand when it comes to training – remembering to use his desire to please his person to your full advantage.

Grooming Requirements

The American water spaniel’s dense double coat is waterproof, with a thick, soft, weatherproof undercoat and a wavy or curly top coat. The quality that makes it waterproof is a natural layer of oil, which shouldn’t be washed out or it could dry out the skin and fur. Oily marks are par for the course with this dog. He needs a weekly brushing (and regular clipping if his coat is kept short), which is easier in summer due to shed hair. Trim his nails, check his ears for infection, and brush his teeth daily.