The American Water Spaniel, which is native to the upper Midwest's lake area, is an energetic, outdoorsy athlete who enjoys hunting and swimming. They are renowned to be cheerful, energetic, and engaging, however distant and obstinate among strangers. American Water Spaniels are robust midsize gundogs with a rich brown coat that is either tightly curled or wavy. They are neither flamboyant in appearance or performance. These spaniels were bred to work the frigid waters and marshy shores of the Great Lakes region, and they're well equipped for the job: The dog's coat is thick and waterproof, his feet are densely cushioned, his toes are webbed, and his body is tiny enough for him to leap into and out of a skiff without shaking it.

Admirers describe the spaniel as a happy, clever, and adaptable dog that can participate in a range of dog sports. They mix the working characteristics of spaniels and retrievers as hunters. The key to the pleasure of an American Water Spaniel is movement, especially when they are with their beloved human. A dog that is underemployed might be obnoxious and destructive.

American Water Spaniel Highlights
Breed Size	Medium
Nature	Gentle, Willful, Aloof, Friendly
Energy Level	Active
Intelligence	High
Barking Level	When Necessary
Coat Length	Long, Medium
Breed Group	Toy
Droll Amount	Low
Good with	Familes, Children, Dog
Feed Level	Medium, High
Colour Type	Liver, Chocolate, Brown
Other Facts	The Breed Has A Diverse Lineage,They Love Bananas,They Were Bred To Retrieve From Boats.

Dog History

Given all of this small hunting dog's excellent attributes, it's surprising that the breed has never been particularly popular.

Their precise origins are unknown. Other working breeds such as the Irish Water Spaniel and the Curly Coated Retriever are said to have influenced their development. They are one of just a few dogs native to the United States, and they were initially utilised by hunters in the Great Lakes region in the mid-nineteenth century. Their thick, warm coats, excellent swimming ability, intelligence, devotion, and eagerness made them ideal retrievers of waterfowl from the region's frigid waters.

The demand for these little labourers dwindled as the popularity of larger retrieving dogs from England, such as the Labrador Retriever, developed. The breed may have gone extinct if it hadn't been for Dr. F.J. Pfeifer, an obsessive AWS fan from Wisconsin. The American Kennel Group recognised the American Water Spaniel in 1940 when Pfeifer founded a breed club.They were chosen the official state dog of Wisconsin in 1985.

They are still a rare breed; it is estimated that there are just 3,000 American Water Spaniels left in the world. As a result, they are a one-of-a-kind small dog.

Health and Care

Although American Water Spaniels are typically healthy, they are susceptible to some health issues, as are all breeds. Although not all American Water Spaniels will get any or all of these ailments, it's vital to be aware of them if you're thinking about getting one.

Find a reliable breeder who will show you health clearances for both your dog's parents if you're buying a puppy. Health clearances demonstrate that a dog has been checked for and cleared of a certain disease.

Health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia (with a score of fair or better), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand's disease; Auburn University for thrombopathia; and the Canine Eye Registry Foundation for thrombopathia should all be expected in American Water Spaniels.

Dog Breed Care Tips and Important Instructions

• The American Water Spaniel may live in a compact living setting, such as an apartment or condominium, if he receives plenty of exercise and fun, but he's a country dog at heart and is happiest when he has plenty of open room to burn off his natural energy.
• The AWS is intelligent and trainable, and it responds best to brief, motivated training sessions. Avoid harsh methods that penalise him for getting it wrong rather than rewarding him for getting it right, since they may cause him to become irritable or withdraw. And rather than sending him off to be schooled by a stranger, instruct him yourself. He'll put in a lot more effort for someone he knows and cares for.
• When his owners aren't home, he may chew, thus crate training is essential to keep your belongings secure and your AWS out of the doghouse.
• As you would a kid, keep an eye on your pet. Close doors, tidy up after yourself, and section off rooms as needed. This will keep her out of mischief and away from things she shouldn't eat.
• Her water-resistant coat is a little greasy, and washing it too much might make it worse! Brush her twice a week at the very least.
• Although American Water Spaniels typically have excellent teeth, you should clean them at least twice a week to maintain them strong and healthy!
• Even as a puppy, clean her ears once a week. We'll show you how to do it, so don't worry!
• She's an intelligent dog with a lot of energy, so keep her mind and body busy or she'll become bored. That's when the nasty behaviour begins.
• Maintain a regular diet for your dog and avoid feeding her human food.
• Feed her a high-quality, age-appropriate food.
• Regularly exercise your dog, but don't overdo it at first.

Feeding

It's crucial to examine the anatomy and digestive system of an American Water Spaniel while choosing on the ideal meal for them. Dogs' digestive systems haven't changed much since they were undomesticated wolves, and they're best adapted to eating fresh, high-protein prey. This is what we term "species-appropriate nutrition," and it's what a natural, raw diet aims to achieve.

The stomach of a dog isn't built to digest and ferment carbs (the main ingredient in kibble). Even grain-free food, such as beans, peas, and lentils, sometimes contain high quantities of starchy carbohydrates. Feeding this to a dog puts their system under strain, generating physiologically demanding insulin, glucagon, and cortisol surges throughout the day, as well as inflammation and stress on important organs, which can lead to death in certain situations.

There's no question that the canine species is tough, and that even if they consume a diet lacking in natural components, they will adapt and survive for a long time. Nonetheless, there is a significant difference between surviving and flourishing.

Whether you pick Prodog Raw's no-fuss, no-nonsense raw dog food or make your own DIY raw food recipes at home, the switch to a natural species-specific diet will fuel your dog's well-being, regardless of breed.

Fun Facts

• They Used To Be Solely A Hunting Dog
• They Were Bred To Retrieve From Boats
• The Breed Has A Diverse Lineage
• They Almost Went Extinct
• The First Registered AWS Was Named Curly Pfeifer
• The AWS Is The State Dog Of Wisconsin
• They Love Bananas

Home Training Tips and General Information

4 Things You Must Do Correctly Training an American Water Spaniel puppy does not have to be difficult. You can influence your puppy's behaviour and make training easier right now by doing four simple things.

What to Teach Your Puppy During Puppy Training (and When)

Dog training begins the minute your puppy arrives at your home. If you utilise the incorrect training approach, your puppy will begin to make decisions about how he wants you to fit into his life, which will lead to conflict and behavioural issues. You must respond appropriately to anything your puppy does, or he will learn the incorrect things. Here's how I propose teaching your American Water Spaniel puppy (what to teach, when to teach it).

Teach Your American Water Spaniel To Respect You

I use and suggest "Respect Training" as a dog training approach for American Water Spaniels. When you say "No," a dog who respects you will stop what he's doing and do what you say. Teaching your dog to respect you entails engaging in certain interactions with him that promote respect.

Solving Behavioural Issues

"How can I stop my dog from doing (a specific harmful behaviour)?" is one of the most often asked queries by dog owners. Whatever the infraction, my response is usually always the same.

Buddy Became a Good Dog After Watching These Dog Training Videos

When you can watch the proper training tactics in action, it's sometimes simpler to train your puppy (or adult dog). These dog training DVDs, which are focused on respect and leadership, come highly recommended.

Teach The Correct Words In The Correct Context

My training approach for American Water Spaniels includes teaching certain phrases in precise ways so that your dog not only learns the words, but also develops the respectful attitude that makes him want to obey you. Teach your dog to comprehend what you're saying by teaching him words. Teach those terms in the proper context, and he will follow your instructions.

Your American Water Spaniel's Housebreaking

There are two essentials to breaking into a house. There are only two, but you must get them both correct. And I don't mean 50 percent correct; I mean 100 percent correct. Otherwise, you'll wind up with a dog that is only 50% toilet trained, which no one wants. So there you have it: your two keys to breaking into a house.

Getting Your American Water Spaniel to Socialize

Socializing your American Water Spaniel entails teaching him how to interact respectfully with strangers and other animals.

FAQS

American Water Spaniel Unique Name

Male Name	Female Name
Chance	Alyssa
Denver	Amber
Elmer	Ava
Emmett	Cinnamon
Gus	Eden
Loki	Fanny
Mimi	Ibby
Otto	Izzy
Pepper	Madison
Petey	Millie
Remy	Nala
Rex	Phoebe
Ricky	Rose
Shiloh	Scarlet
Snoopy	Shiloh
Storm	Sissy
Taco	Suki
Willy	Willow
Zane	Buttercup
Teddy-bear	Blu