American Water Spaniel

Genetic Predispositions and Health

American Water Spaniels are generally healthy dogs, but can suffer from hip dysplasia and eye and heart conditions. Genetic testing for conditions such as degenerative myelopathy and progressive rod-cone degeneration can assist veterinarians with diagnosis and proactive care, as well as help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.

Personality and Behavior

American Water Spaniels are known for their intelligent, energetic, and eager-to-please personalities. They have a friendly demeanor, are usually good with children, and can get along well with other dogs if properly socialized from a young age. However, they can be somewhat reserved or cautious with strangers.

This breed is highly trainable, although they can occasionally show a stubborn streak. Positive reinforcement methods work best when training an AWS. These dogs require regular mental and physical stimulation due to their working origins, so they are best suited to active households where they can get regular exercise.

Pointer-Spaniel Lineage

A canine genetic lineage is a group of individuals or entire breeds that descended from common ancestors predating modern breed formation. Often these lineages are associated with a ‘type’ of dog with a unique historical working role and associated behaviors (e.g., herding, scent hunting, etc.).

The Pointer-Spaniel lineage encompasses both pointer and spaniel breeds. They were both bred for their specialized hunting abilities in Europe. Pointers locate game and freeze in a stance, called “pointing”, to indicate to their hunter that birds are close by. Spaniels were bred to find game in underbrush and retrieve it. Both pointer and spaniel breeds were bred to enhance their strong senses, trainability, and endurance as these are advantageous in a hunting partner. Spaniels and pointers are known for their strong work ethic, ability to work closely with humans and agility. These dogs’ ability to work closely with their hunters makes them an asset during a hunt because they follow direction well and know how their hunters want them to proceed.

Example breeds with ancestry from this lineage include English Cocker Spaniel, Irish Red Setter, and German Shorthaired Pointer.

Fun Facts

The American Water Spaniel was the first breed developed in the United States as an all-around hunter that could retrieve from boats.

The breed was named the state dog of Wisconsin in 1986.

References

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-water-spaniel/

https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/american-water-spaniel

https://www.ofa.org/recommended-tests?breed=AWS