United States
Weight
25-45 lb
Height
15-18 in
Lifespan
10-14 yrs
Coat
Curly Medium
The American Water Spaniel is a medium American sporting dog with a dense wavy-to-curly coat, strong swimming ability, and a friendly, eager working temperament.
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Weight
25-45 lb
Height
15-18 in
Lifespan
10-14 yrs
Coat
Curly Medium
At A Glance
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Low
Grooming
2/5
First-time owner
Yes
The American Water Spaniel was developed in the United States, especially around the Great Lakes region, as a compact hunting companion that could work from a small boat, retrieve from water, and hunt upland cover. The breed standard describes an active, muscular, medium-sized spaniel with a marcel to curly coat and a balanced outline rather than exaggerated size.
This is a practical sporting dog: affectionate at home, keen in the field, and happiest when daily life includes training, retrieving games, swimming where safe, and close work with its owner. Its coat is dense and weather-resistant, with accepted colors in the liver, brown, or dark chocolate range. Shedding is usually manageable, but the ears and coat still need regular care because this breed spends so much time in wet and brushy environments.
The American Water Spaniel can fit active first-time owners who want to train, not just walk, their dog. It is less suitable for a quiet, low-effort household. Responsible breeders should be able to discuss hip, eye, and cardiac screening, which the American Water Spaniel Club lists among the breed's recommended health checks.
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a energetic, affectionate, eager companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Curly
Coat length
Medium
Shedding
Low
Colors
Liver, Chocolate, Brown
American Water Spaniel is usually harder to manage in an apartment, especially when exercise, space, or noise control are limited. Owners of the American Water Spaniel should plan quiet walking routes, enough decompression time, and training for elevators, hallways, visitors, and nearby dogs.
American Water Spaniel has a moderate barking profile, so owners should expect some alerting and excitement barking. Teaching the American Water Spaniel a calm response to door sounds, passing dogs, and visitors is easier than trying to stop barking after it becomes a habit.
American Water Spaniel training works best when obedience is connected to useful jobs: recalls around scent, polite retrieving, steadiness near water, and calm handling after exercise. Use rewards and variety, because this intelligent spaniel can become noisy or pushy when bored.
The American Water Spaniel's medium curly coat is relatively simple to maintain, with low shedding. Routine brushing, nail trimming, ear checks, and skin checks still matter for the American Water Spaniel, especially after muddy walks or seasonal shedding changes.
American Water Spaniel needs about 60 to 90 minutes a day for many healthy adults, built from longer walks, active play, and regular training or scent games. For the American Water Spaniel, build activity into most days instead of relying on one big weekend outing, and mix in sniffing, training, or puzzle work so the dog has a mental outlet as well as physical movement.
The American Water Spaniel's medium curly coat is relatively simple to maintain, with low shedding. Routine brushing, nail trimming, ear checks, and skin checks still matter for the American Water Spaniel, especially after muddy walks or seasonal shedding changes.
American Water Spaniel training works best when obedience is connected to useful jobs: recalls around scent, polite retrieving, steadiness near water, and calm handling after exercise. Use rewards and variety, because this intelligent spaniel can become noisy or pushy when bored.
Feed American Water Spaniel a measured diet appropriate for a medium dog, its age, and its activity level. For the American Water Spaniel, keep body condition lean, adjust portions when exercise changes, and ask your veterinarian about diet details if weight, digestion, allergies, or joint stress are concerns.
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
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