American Water Spaniel Breed Profile: Essential Facts

Kristine LacosteBy Kristine Lacoste

Learn all about the American Water Spaniel, a versatile and intelligent breed known for its hunting skills, friendly temperament, and love for water activities.

American water spaniel

AKC Group
Sporting
Weight
25-45 lbs.
Height
15–18 in.
Life Span
13-15 years

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Key Characteristics of the American Water Spaniel

The American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized, muscular hunting dog with distinct features. Here are some key characteristics of the breed:

  • Black or brown noses with long, wide ears.
  • Slightly rounded eyes that vary in color based on the coat. Bright yellow eyes are considered a fault according to American Kennel Club (AKC) standards.
  • A feathered, medium-length tail that tapers and curves.
  • Webbed and well-padded toes, perfect for swimming.
  • A water-resistant double coat that is either wavy or curly.

Coat Colors:

  • Liver, brown, and chocolate are common coat colors.
  • Some may have small patches of white on the chest or toes, though white patches are faults in AKC conformation shows.

If you’re interested in exploring more dog breeds, check out this comprehensive list of dog breeds to find the perfect match for your lifestyle.

American Water Spaniel
Developed in the 1800s, American Water Spaniels have water-resistant double coats. Photos: Awsguy1 (Top: Radomír Režný)

Where American Water Spaniels Came From

The exact details of the American Water Spaniel’s origin are unknown, but it is believed that the breed’s ancestors include Irish Water Spaniels, Curly-Coated Retrievers, Field Spaniels, and the now-extinct Old English Water Spaniels.

Developed in the 1800s in Wisconsin, the American Water Spaniel quickly became a favorite among hunters due to its versatility.

Key Milestones:

  • Recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1920.
  • Added to the AKC in 1940.
  • Named the state dog of Wisconsin in 1986.

Today, American Water Spaniels are both beloved companion pets and skilled hunters, known for retrieving rabbits, ducks, and other game.

How Friendly Are American Water Spaniels?

American Water Spaniels are intelligent, eager-to-learn, confident, and obedient watchdogs. They are wonderful with children and tend to get along well with other animals, although their hunting instincts may lead them to chase after game animals.

These dogs crave human companionship and often form strong attachments to their owners. Key behavioral traits include:

  • Sensitivity to harsh discipline, requiring positive-reinforcement training.
  • A strong attachment to people and a need for consistent training (stay consistent).
  • An inclination for barking at small animals, such as birds or squirrels, which can be addressed with early training.

Early socialization is highly recommended, and training can help curb unwanted barking.

Looking for a breed with similar qualities? Learn more about the Clumber Spaniel, another loyal and intelligent spaniel breed.

Training Tips for American Water Spaniels

Training an American Water Spaniel requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Due to their intelligence and eagerness to please, they typically respond well to training, but their independent nature can sometimes make them a bit stubborn.

Training Tips:

  • Start training early, focusing on socialization to ensure they are comfortable around other people and animals.
  • Use positive-reinforcement training techniques to build trust and encourage good behavior.
  • Keep training sessions short and engaging, as American Water Spaniels can lose interest quickly.
  • Focus on recall commands and off-leash training, especially if you plan to hunt with your dog.
  • Crate training can also be useful for American Water Spaniels, offering them a safe space while teaching boundaries.

A well-trained American Water Spaniel will be a loyal companion that thrives in both active and calm environments.

Is the American Water Spaniel the Right Dog for You?

Exercise Needs for American Water Spaniels

High

HIGH: American Water Spaniels are excellent swimmers and hunters, adaptable to various terrains. While they can live in an apartment, a home with a yard would better suit their energetic nature.

Because this breed is highly energetic, regular exercise is a necessity, not an option. Without sufficient physical activity, they may develop unwanted behaviors such as:

  • Destructiveness
  • Excessive barking or whining

To keep your American Water Spaniel happy and healthy, ensure they have plenty of opportunities to exercise and burn off their energy.

The Role of American Water Spaniels in Hunting and Water Activities

As natural hunters, American Water Spaniels excel in retrieving game, particularly in water environments. They were bred for this purpose and are highly skilled in waterfowl hunting, making them a favorite among hunters for their versatility and adaptability.

Key Hunting Traits:

  • American Water Spaniels are efficient at retrieving ducks, rabbits, and other small game.
  • Their webbed toes and water-resistant coat make them excellent swimmers, able to navigate various water bodies with ease.
  • They have a strong prey drive, which is ideal for hunting, but this trait requires consistent training to ensure they don’t chase after small animals indiscriminately.

Whether used for hunting or participating in water sports, American Water Spaniels love being active and need opportunities to engage in these types of activities.

Grooming Needs for American Water Spaniels

Medium

MEDIUM: American Water Spaniels have a water-resistant, oily coat that doesn’t shed excessively. However, regular grooming is essential to maintain their coat’s health. Here are some grooming tips for the breed:

  • Brush the coat regularly using a slicker brush to remove the dead undercoat.
  • Trim the hair between the paw pads, but be cautious not to cut into the webbing.
  • The water-resistant nature of their coat may require more frequent brushing to prevent matting.

Routine grooming helps keep their coat manageable and their skin healthy.

Health Problems for American Water Spaniels

Medium

MEDIUM: A few common health problems with American Water Spaniels include:

In this video, an AWS named Raylan demonstrates some great skills in the field:

YouTube player

Where to Adopt an American Water Spaniel

Finding an American Water Spaniel to adopt is a challenge.

You could try Petful’s free online pet adoption search first. But if that search comes up empty and you have your heart set on getting this exact breed, you’ll probably need to contact a breeder.

If you go the breeder route, meet the dog’s parents, view the breeder’s home or facility, and get copies of the health tests performed on the dogs (hips, eyes, and heart clearances). Watch out for the classic signs of a puppy mill operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a Boykin spaniel and an American Water Spaniel?

Boykin Spaniels are slightly larger, more social, and have wavy coats, while American Water Spaniels are more independent with a dense, curly coat suited for cold water hunting. Both are intelligent retrievers, but Boykins are more common.

Do American Water Spaniels shed a lot?

No, they are moderate shedders. Their curly coat helps minimize shedding, but regular brushing is needed to keep their fur healthy and reduce loose hair.

Are American Water Spaniels rare?

Yes, they are a rare breed with a small population, primarily found in the Midwest. Despite their hunting skills, they remain less common than other sporting breeds.

Do American Water Spaniels bark a lot?

Yes, they can be vocal and alert, often barking at strangers or unfamiliar noises. Training and socialization help manage excessive barking.

References

Kristine Lacoste has been researching dog and cat breeds for nearly a decade and has observed the animals up close at dog shows in both the United States and the United Kingdom. She is the author of the book One Unforgettable Journey, which was named as a finalist for a Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America, and was host of a weekly pet news segment on the National K-9 Academy Radio Show. In addition, she was the New Orleans coordinator for Dogs on Deployment, a nonprofit that helps military members and their pets, for 3 years. Kristine has researched and written about pet behaviors and care for many years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, another bachelor’s degree in English and a Master of Business Administration degree.

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