American Water Spaniel

Overview

The American Water Spaniel is a rare, mid-sized gundog bred in the upper Midwest. Hunters wanted a dog small enough for a skiff yet tough enough for icy marsh water.

You'll notice the curly liver coat first, then the earnest, slightly worried expression. AWS dogs love their people, retrieve with heart, and stay busy from breakfast to bedtime.

History & origin

Breeders along the Fox and Wolf Rivers in Wisconsin developed the AWS during the 1800s. Market hunters and farmers needed a compact retriever that could jump from a duck boat without capsizing it.

The exact recipe is fuzzy, but Irish Water Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Water Spaniel, and Field Spaniel likely all played parts. The result was a jack-of-all-trades that flushed upland birds, retrieved ducks, and tracked deer.

Dr. F.J. Pfeifer of New London, Wisconsin, championed the breed and pushed for formal recognition. The United Kennel Club registered it in 1920, and the AKC followed in 1940. Wisconsin named the AWS its state dog in 1985, cementing a Midwestern identity that survives today.

Appearance

Adults stand roughly 15 to 18 inches at the shoulder and weigh 25 to 45 pounds. The body is slightly longer than tall, built like a small, muscular retriever with a broad chest and level topline.

The signature coat sheds water like a slicker jacket. Curls run from tight ringlets to soft marcel waves, and the color stays firmly in the liver family. Ears hang long, eyes glow amber or hazel, and the tail carries a natural rocker-like curve.

Temperament

AWS dogs bond hard to their family and can act aloof or reserved around strangers. They're eager, sensitive, and quick to read your mood, which makes them wonderful companions but poor kennel dogs.

Expect a busy, curious mind. Boredom brings barking, digging, and shredded shoes. Give them a job and they turn into steady, cheerful shadows who follow you room to room.

Living with one

This breed needs a home that likes to move. Long daily walks, swimming, retrieve games, and off-leash sniff time all keep an AWS balanced. A single fenced yard won't cut it on its own.

They usually do fine in apartments if you commit to real outdoor work, but a rural or suburban home with water access suits them better. Cold weather? No problem. Sweltering heat? Watch closely and swim often.

AWS dogs tolerate other dogs when raised together, though same-sex squabbles happen. With small pets like rabbits or ducks, their retrieving drive can flip into chasing, so supervise carefully.

They dislike being left alone for long stretches. Separation anxiety and nuisance barking are the most-reported quality-of-life issues. Doggy daycare, a dog-savvy neighbor, or a work-from-home schedule helps.

Training & exercise

AWS puppies pick up cues fast, but they're sensitive. Harsh corrections shut them down. Reward-based training with clear boundaries produces the happiest workers.

Start socialization the day you bring one home. Meet friendly strangers, ride in cars, visit safe waterways, and expose the pup to gunfire slowly if you plan to hunt. Reactivity often traces back to a thin socialization window.

Once basics are solid, dabble in hunt tests, dock diving, rally, agility, or scent work. AWS dogs shine when they're using both nose and body, and a mentally tired dog is a well-behaved dog.

Grooming & care

The oily double coat needs weekly brushing to prevent mats behind the ears, under the legs, and along the belly. Bathe only when they're truly dirty, or you'll strip the natural water-resistant oils.

Check ears every week because the drop shape traps moisture from swimming. Trim nails, brush teeth several times a week, and let the coat dry fully after every dunk to head off hot spots.

Health & lifespan

The breed usually lives 10 to 14 years. Reputable breeders screen for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts.

Cardiac issues and epilepsy show up in some family lines. Skin allergies and hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism also appear more often than in the average sporting breed.

Because the gene pool is small, ethical breeders lean on OFA, CERF, and CHIC databases. Ask to see health clearances on both parents, and expect a serious breeder to grill you back.

With kids & pets

Solid with kids they grow up with, though sensitive AWS dogs can find toddler chaos overwhelming; supervise closely.

First-time owner note

A workable first breed only if you're active, home often, and ready for daily training and grooming.

Fun facts

• Wisconsin named the AWS its official state dog in 1985.
• AWS dogs love to jump into a canoe or small boat and ride along on hunts.
• Their coat can smell distinctly musty when wet — hunters call it the water spaniel signature.
• Estimates put the worldwide population at only a few thousand dogs.

Famous & in culture

• Dr. F.J. Pfeifer, the New London veterinarian who standardized the breed
• The Wisconsin state dog, honored in state parks and tourism materials