Find American Water Spaniels for sale on this page
For more information about the American Water Spaniel Click here
The American Water Spaniel is known for being an active and happy breed that have been great hunting dogs and family pets. Today, they can be difficult to find, with only a few hundred registered with the American Kennel Club.
The History of the American Water Spaniel
This spaniel was first bred in the United States in the 19th century. While no one is certain, it is believed that they were bred from Irish and English Water Spaniels, among other breeds.
Originating from the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, these working gun dogs were bred to retrieve game birds. They were popular hunting dogs in the region and becoming more popular throughout the country until the labrador retriever began to gain more notoriety. Today, it can be difficult to find a puppy, since they are a rare breed, but they remain a beloved choice as water retrievers.
In 1985, they were named the state dog of the state of Wisconsin.
While it is unknown for sure, some believe the American Water Spaniel may have been involved in the development of the Boykin Spaniel.
More To Know About the American Water Spaniel
Because the American Water Spaniel, abbreviated as AWS, became less popular just as it was becoming known, the breed hasnt changed much over the years. Their coloring is a shade of brown, often a curly liver or chocolate coat. They are a muscular mid sized hunting dog. The female AWS weighs between 25 and 40 pounds, while the males weigh between 30 to 45 pounds. They are 15 to 18 inches in height. They are similar in size to an Irish Water Spaniel, though those dogs are slightly larger, typically weighing between 55 and 65 pounds with a height of 21 to 24 inches. The American Water Spaniels smaller size makes them ideal for hopping in and out of boats while hunting.
These mid sized bird dogs have a life expectancy of ten to twelve years on average.
One of the distinct features of the American Water Spaniel are their brown coats, which either fall in waves or is tightly curled. Their coats are dense, double layered, and waterproof. As these birds dogs were bred for hunting in the Great Lakes region, they needed to be able to stay warm in icy conditions, and their coats have made them well-suited for this.
Their feet are also ideal for hunting on land or in the water, with thick pads and webbed toes.
As a versatile hunting dog, they are tough and able to handle long days in cold and wet conditions. They are high energy and enjoy chasing and retrieving game. They jump in and out of boats with ease and are both great swimmers and runners.
The AWS is an eager dog that needs to stay busy, which is part of why they make such great hunting dogs. They love to stay active and have a task to fulfill.
While they make great bird dogs, the American Water Spaniel is also a popular choice for a family pet. They are smart, affectionate, and obedient dogs. They can be very charming and happy pets.
As pets at home, they can develop a barking problem if they arent trained well and become bored. If they are given a lot of time for exercise, this isnt such a problem. It is recommended that they have at least 20 to 40 minutes of exercise every day, but an individual dog's needs may vary. They are sometimes noted for being stubborn and/or aloof with strangers. If these traits are overcome through great training and enough exercise, they are known for being well-suited to living in apartments of homes, since they were bred to have an even temperament. They are also noted for becoming excellent guard dogs for families. They are known for being well-behaved with other animals and children.
When kept as a pet, the American Water Spaniel should be kept in a fenced yard. As they were bred to be bird dogs, they love to wander and run around and will need to be contained. To keep their double-layered coats in good shape, they require a brushing twice a week. While they dont shed much, their coats can easily become oily and develop a wet dog odor if not properly cared for.
Have a hunting dog for sale? List it here for Free.
Princes Gun Dogs
At Prince's Quality Gun Dogs, we not only breed some of the highest quality GSP hunting dogs, but also great companions. All of our German Shorthair Pointers are bred from some of the purest blood lines and proven hunting dogs. We have over 30 years of experience in breeding and training to produce top quality gun dogs. We train in upland and waterfowl hunting.
