American Water Spaniel. Paul R. Morrison
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
The American Water Spaniel is a friendly and outgoing dog interested in being near the action and often times wanting to take center stage. Seldom do you meet up with an aloof AWS who seemingly wants nothing to do with you. The visitor to an American Water Spaniel’s home will often find the dog begging for a petting, offering up a ball for a game of fetch or snuggling into a comfortable place in the visitor’s lap. For most dog lovers this is a minor inconvenience, and for many others it is a welcome reception. Still owners should understand that such behavior is not always welcome by guests and take steps to teach the dog to come under more acceptable control when required.
Not only a force to be reckoned with in the field, the American Water Spaniel is second to none as a loyal companion as well.
American Water Spaniels are often described as intelligent dogs that take to training well. The breed loves attention and is very willing to please its trainer. Because of this it often trains quickly, leading many newcomers to the breed to cease to continue with the training after the dog has picked up on the basic commands; this is where trouble can begin. Without continued training, an AWS will begin to be obedient enough to avoid getting himself into too much trouble but not obedient enough to be the pleasant companion he can be. When this happens some will describe the dog as manipulative or cunning. In reality the dog has simply learned that by exhibiting specific behaviors at the shortterm expense of others, he is able to get his way most of the time. Diligent owners who regularly train and socialize their dogs through early adulthood will find that they can avoid this type of behavior.
People searching for a new companion often raise the question of just how compatible the breed is with children, strangers and other dogs. While there are exceptions to the rule, most American Water Spaniels do well with all of these. When it comes to children it is always best to err on the side of caution. The wise owner will be very watchful of the interaction between the dog and children, especially children under five years of age. The fast moves and loud play of young children are sometimes stressful to dogs, and such stress can result in negative canine behaviors. Parents need to understand that it is as necessary to train their children in the proper way to behave around the dog as it is to train the dog in how to act with children.
A dog that demonstrates a dislike of strange people and other dogs is sometimes nothing more than a dog that was not properly socialized during early puppyhood. Of course this is not always the case, and some dogs are simply born with an aversion to strangers of all types. Luckily with the AWS this is not normally the case. To help assure that a more pleasant personality is brought out in the AWS puppy, new owners should attend puppy socialization classes and take steps to introduce their dogs to new experiences throughout their formative years.
HEART-HEALTHY
In this modern age of ever-improving cardio-care, no doctor or scientist can dispute the advantages of owning a dog to lower a person’s risk of heart disease. Studies have proven that petting a dog, walking a dog and grooming a dog all show positive results toward lowering your blood pressure. The simple routine of exercising your dog—going outside with the dog and walking, jogging or playing catch—is heart-healthy in and of itself. If you are normally less active than your physician thinks you should be, adopting a dog may be a smart option to improve your own quality of life as well as that of another creature.
Neither rain, nor sleet nor snow can keep the versatile American Water Spaniel down. This AWS is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at him.
The American Water Spaniel is often described as possessive and protective. These traits bear some relationship to one another and are sometimes reflective of the dog’s understanding of its rank within the family unit or pack. The breed has a tendency to occasionally challenge its rank within the social hierarchy of the household and will attempt to move up the pecking order if given the opportunity. As this occurs owners may see signs of the breed’s possessiveness as their AWS growls or quickly grabs an object when the owner reaches for it. When this happens the dog is saying, “This is mine and you cannot have it” and illustrating his possessive tendency. A thorough training and socialization program can help to minimize or even prevent this type of behavior from ever developing. If such behavior should occur, it is often correctable with the use of a regimented retraining program supervised by a qualified trainer.
If there is one single annoying behavior to be found in the American Water Spaniel, it is its propensity to bark. This is a vocal breed that seemingly loves to hear itself and will even “give tongue” when chasing rabbits in the field or other dogs in play. The slightest noise or movement can set off a series of barks so incessant that it will drive even the most patient of individuals crazy. American Water Spaniels have been known to go into a prolonged barking frenzy over things like songbirds feeding in the back yard, squirrels foraging for nuts or a shoe dropped on the floor. Training will help this problem, but it is one that will stay with many for their entire life. For this reason many breeders do not recommend the breed as one for apartment living unless steps can be taken to minimize or eliminate the dog’s inclination to bark.
While immensely enjoying its own vocalizations may not sound like an endearing quality, some American Water Spaniels do have the ability to turn this sometimes annoying characteristic into a rather charmingly attractive occurrence. Those are the dogs that are blessed with the ability and propensity to yodel. While the sound emitted by a yodeling AWS is more like a howl than what one might recognize as a true yodel, it does fall a little short of the annoying howls we often attribute to other canines. Oftentimes the yodel seems to be roused by happiness or excitement, such as during play, at feeding time or when guests arrive for a visit. One of my first American Water Spaniels was a champion yodeler who loved to hear himself so much that I was able to teach him to respond to the command to yodel with good reliability. Not all American Water Spaniels bear this trait, but once found within a household, it is one that is sorely missed should it ever fall silent.
When it comes to housing, this is not a breed that does well living in a pen, fenced-in yard or chained to a tree all day, every day. Because the AWS enjoys, and in some cases demands, human contact, these dogs should not be left alone for long periods of time. Such abandonment will lead to excessive barking, lack of social skills and unwanted behaviors like digging or fence climbing. The AWS should be a member of the family brought into the household, loved and cared for just like any other family member. When this is done, and the proper steps are taken to train and socialize the dog, it will be a canine companion like few others.
American Water Spaniels are active dogs that do best when given a job to do and some good physical exercise. While they do not need long periods of exercise it is best to give them the opportunity to run off some of their sporting energy regularly. Of course, a good 20-or 30-minute walk each morning and night will serve to keep them in the best physical and mental condition but so too will a nice romp in the back yard each day or a few play dates at the local park each week. An idle AWS will become overweight and bored, leading to both health and behavior problems like excessive chewing or barking. If you have an American Water Spaniel, take the time to enjoy his company by playing fetch in the back yard or learning a sport like hunting, agility or competitive obedience so both of you will be rewarded with a long and healthy relationship.
The activity level of a sporting breed is normally quite high, and the American Water Spaniel is no exception; this AWS can hardly contain himself, waiting to get back into the water.
California Chocolate Chip, better known as “Callie,” demonstrating the AWS’s capacity for retrieval.