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