American Water Spaniel

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated April 3, 2009)

One of the four breeds of purely American ancestry is that of the American Water Spaniel. He is quite popular among the sportsmen, sometimes referred to as a "small retriever." There was a day when he was known simply as the Water Spaniel and was very popular in the Midwest or wherever there were upland game and water. He is a hard worker and works well in the water. As a hunting dog he is an excellent worker on quail, grouse, woodcock, snipe, rabbits, and pheasant. He is an excellent retriever and able to withstand the roughest weather and the heaviest current.

The American Water Spaniel's disposition is quite amicable and active. It is his demeanor that shows intelligence, strength, and endurance. It is with his affectionate disposition and beauty, along with his endurance, that helps him to remain one of American's favorite sport dogs.

The coat is one of the physical traits that make this dog look so appealing. The coat is closely curled or it may have a marcel effect. The color is usually a solid liver or a dark chocolate. There may be some that have a little white that appears on the chest or toes. The eyes of the American Water Spaniel are very expressive, alert, and intelligent. The eye color usually matches or harmonizes with the coat.

American Water Spaniels are medium in size and both sturdy and muscular. He stands from fifteen to eighteen inches from the shoulders. The male weighs from 39 to 45 pounds, while the female weighs between twenty and forty pounds.

Additional information on the American Water Spaniel can be found at the website for the American Kennel Club.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Getting Rid of Fleas with Salt and Baker's Yeast

If your pet has fleas, which definitely isn't uncommon, then you need to take measures to get rid of fleas. One of the ...

Discover More

Your Vacuum Sweeper Came with a Pet Hair Remover

When pets shed, it can be really annoying, and often there's nothing you can do about it. While sometimes you may be at a ...

Discover More

Manchester Terrier

Originating from England, the Manchester Terrier was used primarily for rat-killing. He is very devoted and keenly observant.

Discover More
More Pet Tips

Sussex Spaniel

Although good at retrieving, the Sussex Spaniel is not known for his speed. He has an excellent disposition and is a hard ...

Discover More

Curley-Coated Retriever

The Curley-Coated Retriever is both sweet tempered and easy to train. His great stamina and swimming skills make him a ...

Discover More

Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel's strong swimming skills and rugged endurance make him the perfect dog for duck hunting. He ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is three less than 6?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)