| The American Water Spaniel is small in | | | | weigh 30 to 45 pounds and females from |
| size and can be raised in an apartment | | | | 25 to 40 pounds. |
| as long as he has the opportunity for | | | | * Special Health Considerations for this |
| plenty of exercise. Better quarters for | | | | breed can include cancer, diabetes, |
| this dog would include a properly fenced | | | | cataracts, skin problems, epilepsy, |
| in exercise area. This is a hunting dog | | | | follicular dystrophy and hip dysplasia |
| but she will adapt to apartment or home | | | | (genetic based looseness in the hip |
| life. She is generally good with | | | | joint that can lead to arthritis pain |
| children and other pets. She sheds | | | | and lameness). The insides of her ears |
| little but does have a hunting dog odor. | | | | may not dry properly when wet so you may |
| She trains easily and would make a good | | | | need to manually dry them to help |
| watch dog. She can tend to have | | | | prevent ear infections. |
| separation anxiety if left alone for | | | | * Life Span. The American Water Spaniel |
| long periods of time and can get noisy. | | | | can live from 12 to 15 years with proper |
| General Appearance. The American Water | | | | nutrition, exercise and health care. |
| Spaniel is medium size, muscular, and | | | | * History. This breed was originated in |
| has a curly continuous wave or marcel | | | | the United States as a waterfowl |
| effect coat. The coat color is often | | | | retriever and hunting dog around the mid |
| chocolate, solid liver, and/or brown | | | | eighteen hundreds. The main location |
| with a bit of white possible on the | | | | this breed comes from seems to be the |
| chest and toes. | | | | Wolf River and Fox River valleys of |
| * Grooming. This breed can have an odor | | | | Wisconsin. Hunters needed a strong, cold |
| due to the amount of water shedding oil | | | | water resistant dog that could fit in |
| in her coat. She should be brushed | | | | the small watercraft used for |
| several times a week and bathed | | | | commercially hunted waterfowl of the |
| infrequently because it will strip the | | | | time. The United Kennel Club recognized |
| protective oils from her coat. She is a | | | | this breed in 1920 and the American |
| very light shedder. Her teeth should be | | | | Kennel Club recognized them in 1940. |
| brushed at least twice a week with | | | | * Registries: AKC, FCI, UKC, ACR, APRI, |
| toothpaste and a toothbrush designed for | | | | AWSC, CKC, NKC, |
| dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation | | | | * Category: Gun dog. |
| of plaque and tartar which can cause | | | | * Terms To Describe The Breed: Friendly, |
| cavities (rarely) and periodontal | | | | plenty of energy, controllable, smart, |
| disease. Dog periodontal disease can | | | | built solid, well muscled, |
| lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath | | | | * SPECIAL GOOD POINTS |
| and other serious disease. Also check | | | | Eager to please. |
| her nails. To avoid health problems, her | | | | High intelligence. |
| toenails also need to be clipped. The | | | | Excellent physical ability. |
| toenails of the rear feet grow slower | | | | Can withstand cold weather and water. |
| than the toenails of the front feet. | | | | Trains well. |
| Generally a guillotine type trimmers is | | | | Good watchdog. |
| the best for this chore and competent | | | | * SPECIAL BAD POINTS |
| instructions to do this can be found on | | | | Has a mind of her own. |
| the net. | | | | May bark excessively. |
| * Approximate Adult Size. The American | | | | Can have separation anxiety. |
| Water Spaniel stands approximately 15 to | | | | May be suspicious of strangers. |
| 18 inches at the withers (the highest | | | | Can be difficult to find a puppy. |
| point of the shoulder) and males can | | | | Can be sneaky. |