American Water Spaniel Best Hunter Dog Breeders Grooming and Care

It is believed the American Water Spaniel Breeders in the Northeastern part of the U.S.A. However, this cannot be confirmed and many of the first written reports about this breed came from sportsmen in the
Midwestern states. It is a very good water retriever and uses a unique swimming motion like a seal. It is one of the few breeds that does not produce skin dander. This makes it ideal for people who have allergies to dogs' skin dander. This breed is one of the few breeds known to produce a skin oil. This gives the breed a requirement for higher amounts of the fatty acids than most other breeds.

American Water Spaniel

This American Water Spaniel breed was originated in the United States as a waterfowl retriever and hunting dog around the mid eighteen hundreds. The main location this breed comes from seems to be the Wolf River and Fox River valleys of Wisconsin. Hunters needed a strong, cold water resistant dog that could fit in the small watercraft used for commercially hunted waterfowl of the time. The United Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1920 and the American Kennel Club recognized them in 1940

The American Water Spaniel is small in size and can be raised in an apartment as long as he has the opportunity for plenty of exercise. Better quarters for this dog would include a properly fenced in exercise area. This is a hunting dog but she will adapt to apartment or home life. She is generally good with children and other pets. She sheds little but does have a hunting dog odor. She trains easily and would make a good watch dog. She can tend to have separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time and can get noisy.

American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniel General Appearance. The American Water Spaniel is medium size, muscular, and has a curly continuous wave or marcel effect coat. The coat color is often chocolate, solid liver, and/or brown with a bit of white possible on the chest and toes.

Approximate Adult Size. The American Water Spaniel stands approximately 15 to 18 inches at the withers (the highest point of the shoulder) and males can weigh 30 to 45 pounds and females from 25 to 40 pounds.

American Water Spaniel Dog Special Health Considerations for this breed can include cancer, diabetes, cataracts, skin problems, epilepsy, follicular dystrophy and hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness). The insides of her ears may not dry properly when wet so you may need to manually dry them to help prevent ear infections.

American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniel Grooming. This breed can have an odor due to the amount of water shedding oil in her coat. She should be brushed several times a week and bathed infrequently because it will strip the protective oils from her coat. She is a very light shedder. Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and a toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease.

American Water Spaniel Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. Also check her nails. To avoid health problems, her toenails also need to be clipped. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmers is the best for this chore and competent instructions to do this can be found on the net.

Life Span. The American Water Spaniel can live from 12 to 15 years with proper nutrition, exercise and health care.

American Water Spaniel Dog Food and Health Native food supplies for this breed would have been those found from the Midwestern to Northeastern U.S. These included yellow corn, wheat, water fowl, and fresh water fish. For the American Water Spaniel, I recommend foods containing a blend of poultry, lamb, fish meal, wheat, and corn. I also recommend you avoid feeding this breed a food that contains white rice, soy, beet pulp, or horse meat.