American Water Spaniel
About the American Water Spaniel
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 15-18" |
| Weight | 25-45 lbs |
| Coat Type | Curly |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, American Water Spaniels may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your American Water Spaniel
The story behind the American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel was developed in the Great Lakes region, particularly the Fox River valley of Wisconsin, during the 1800s. Hunters needed a versatile retriever small enough to work from a canoe or skiff without unbalancing it, hardy enough for cold water and able to flush as well as retrieve upland birds and waterfowl. Irish Water Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever and various field spaniel types are commonly cited among its ancestors, though the records are incomplete. A local veterinarian is credited with promoting and standardising the breed in the early 1900s, and registry recognition followed during the 1920s and 1930s. Numbers have always been modest, and it remains rare, kept mainly by hunting families in the upper Midwest and a small circle of enthusiasts elsewhere.
Originally bred for: Retrieving, Flushing, Hunting. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a American Water Spaniel
Cold-water retrieving burns fuel quickly, so a quality food with dependable fat and protein supports working dogs, with intake reduced through quieter months to prevent creeping weight. Ribs should stay easy to find beneath that dense coat, where extra condition hides remarkably well.
Watch for: Curly-coated water breeds often express food reactions through skin and ears, and dense coats combined with frequent swimming make ear inflammation a recurring theme worth separating from diet. No specific ingredient pattern is established. Consult a veterinarian before trialling restricted foods.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a American Water Spaniel
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.