American Water Spaniel

Likely descended from an Irish Water Spaniel, the American Water Spaniel was first established in the Midwest. They were used to nose through rough thickets and retrieve, although now they are companion dogs best suited to families who live near or on water. They are a rare breed and the state dog of Wisconsin. 

If you and your family are extremely active, live near a body of water, and enjoy being outside, the American Water Spaniel dog might be for you. Owners should be patient and consistent when it comes to training and be prepared to provide lots of mental and physical exercise to tire them out.

Bouncy and eager, the American Water Spaniel is ready for an outdoor adventure, especially if it involves swimming. They love to exercise and can become disruptive and loud without enough of it. Vigorous play sessions can also tucker them out. They love to have a job to do, whether it be obedience training, agility courses, or swimming.

The American Water Spaniel is an adaptable dog and can live just about anywhere so long as they have access to the outdoors, although they thrive with wide open spaces and access to water.

The coat of the American Water Spaniel is oily and needs brushing frequently. It is also dense and waterproof and can be curly or wavy. American Water Spaniels require less frequent grooming in the summer months.

American Water Spaniel dogs love to please their owners so they are relatively easy to train. They enjoy a variety of tasks and like to learn. Highly active, they need to train in order to be well-mannered. They can learn bad habits quickly, so positive reinforcement and focus on good habits is essential. Socialization of American Water Spaniel puppies and dogs needs to be early and often.

Friendly and happy, the American Water Spaniel is affectionate, making them excellent family pets. They have a lot of energy, though, which might be best for active families with older children or no children.

The cost of an American Water Spaniel from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.