The American Water Spaniel is a type of Spaniel that is used to hunt birds and other small game by flushing them out. Although it is a flushing dog, it can be used to retrieve as well and loves the water. Because of its small size, it is considered to be a good breed of gun dog for anyone hunting on the water in a small boat or even a canoe.
History Of The American Water Spaniel
The exact history of the American Water Spaniel is relatively unknown. There are those who say that the breed developed from a cross between the English Water Spaniel and the Curly Coated Retriever. Others believe that it may be a cross between the English Spaniel and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
The breed was recognized by AKC in 1940 and is bred primarily as a hunting dog. The peak of the popularity for this breed of dog was in the early part of the last century. The American Water Spaniel is often called the “Forgotten American” because it is not shown much anymore, although there are enough fans of this breed to make sure that the breed line of this gun dog does not go anywhere soon. There are very active associations for this breed including the American Water Spaniel Field Association.
Appearance Of The American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel is distinct in appearance because of its curly marcelled coat. It is usually a very dark brown in color, although it can often have a black coat. The coat is very thick and allows the dog to be able to resist many types of inclement weather, including the cold. This dense and sculpted coat also allows the dog to swim easily. The ears of the Water Spaniel are floppy like other spaniels but the coat is very short and curly. The dogs weight from 25 to 45 pounds with males weighing a bit more. They are about 16 inches in height.
Use Of The American Water Spaniel
This breed is seen as a field dog. It is used for hunting game in the field as well as water. They will easily flush out game and can be trained to return the game to you. The American Water Spaniel is used as a hunting companion for hunters who are often out in inclement weather and are looking for a dog that can swim and flush out as well as retrieve game. They can be used to hunt upland birds as well as water fowl. The compact size of the American Water Spaniel makes them an ideal hunting companion for anyone living in smaller quarters as they do not need a lot of room to be happy. Consistence should be used when you are training the American Water Spaniel and you should avoid harsh training techniques when you are trying to train your dog as these can cause the dog to become aggressive or even shy away from you.
The American Water Spaniel is an ideal hunting dog for those who are looking for a smaller gun dog that enjoys the water and can flush out and retrieve small game, upland birds or waterfowl.
