A true American original from the lake country of Wisconsin, the American Water Spaniel does it all: flush birds, retrieve from icy water, and curl up as a devoted family companion. This profile covers history, temperament, size, exercise needs, grooming, training, health, and how to find a breeder who prioritizes health and stable temperament in a genuinely rare breed.
By Tasha Mesina, Cindra Grooming Products
History
The American Water Spaniel is one of only a handful of breeds developed entirely within the United States, taking shape in the Fox and Wolf River valleys of Wisconsin and Minnesota in the early-to-mid 1800s. Settlers and market hunters needed a single, versatile dog that could flush and retrieve upland birds, retrieve waterfowl from cold Midwestern lakes, and work efficiently from small boats and canoes rather than requiring separate dogs for each job. The AWS was built to do all of it in one compact, hardy package.
The breed's exact ancestry was never formally documented and is still debated among historians, but the leading theories point to a mix of Irish Water Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Water Spaniel, and various native American spaniel and setter types, blended by regional hunters over generations rather than through a single planned cross. What is well documented is that Fred Pfeifer of New London, Wisconsin, became the breed's central champion in the early 20th century, founding a breed club and drafting a written standard in the 1920s; by 1924 his own line had developed three generations and earned Purple Ribbon status.
The United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1920, two decades ahead of the American Kennel Club, which followed with recognition in 1940. Wisconsin named the American Water Spaniel its official state dog in 1985, cementing its regional identity.
Because the breed never gained popularity outside its home region, it has remained relatively close to its 19th-century working form and is still, by most counts, one of the rarest breeds the AKC recognizes — historically only a few hundred puppies have been registered nationally in a given year, concentrated mostly in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. The American Water Spaniel Field Association was formed in 1993 by breed enthusiasts to keep field and hunting traditions alive alongside AKC conformation showing, and the AWSC itself has voted to keep the breed unclassified as either spaniel or retriever — a quirk that means AWS dogs compete in AKC spaniel and retriever hunt tests but are not eligible for AKC field trials. That all-purpose hunting heritage is exactly why the modern AWS still shows up as a compact, versatile athlete equally happy in the field, the water, or on the couch.
Personality and Home Fit
American Water Spaniels are upbeat, eager, and charming with their own family, but genuinely aloof with strangers and can be a bit stubborn in training. This isn't an overly social breed with everyone they meet — new people are evaluated, not greeted with instant enthusiasm, and that reserve is a real breed trait rather than a training gap.
Best matches
- Active families, especially those near water or interested in waterfowl hunting
- Owners who don't need a dog that's instantly friendly with every visitor
- People who enjoy dock diving, agility, or other versatile canine sports
- Households that can offer consistent daily structure rather than a sedentary routine
Common surprises
- Genuine aloofness with strangers, which some owners mistake for shyness
- A stubborn streak that can surprise owners expecting an eager-to-please retriever
- Real rarity: this breed is genuinely uncommon, even among sporting-breed enthusiasts, and many owners have never met a second one in person
Exercise and Enrichment
This is a genuine outdoorsy athlete that loves to hunt and swim, and needs real daily outlets to stay balanced.
Daily baseline ideas
- Swimming and water retrieves, which this breed was built for
- Daily walks, runs, or field time
- Dock diving, agility, or skijoring for owners who want a sport outlet
- Scent and retrieving games that engage natural hunting instinct
Access to water is one of the best enrichment tools for this breed.
Family Life and Living Situations
American Water Spaniels tend to be smart, obedient, and affectionate with their own household, and generally get along well with children and other pets when raised alongside them or properly introduced. Their moderate size and low-shedding coat make them workable for a range of homes, but their high energy and hunting drive mean they're a poor fit for a purely sedentary lifestyle.
- Do best with a fenced yard or reliable leash routine — hunting instinct can turn into wandering if given the chance
- Generally good with children when socialized early, though supervision matters with any sporting breed around small kids
- Can live in a smaller home if daily exercise needs are genuinely met, but are not a good match for owners hoping for a low-activity companion
- Their aloofness with strangers can make them naturally watchful, alerting to visitors without being an aggressive or nuisance barker in most lines
Grooming an American Water Spaniel
The AWS coat is dense, curly or Marcel-waved, and genuinely water-resistant, built for cold-water retrieving work. Regular brushing is essential to prevent the curls from cording or matting, especially around the ears and legs.
For the full routine — brushing schedule, bathing frequency, and product recommendations for this coat type — see Grooming the American Water Spaniel.
Training Notes
American Water Spaniels are intelligent but carry a real stubborn streak, and their natural aloofness with strangers means early, consistent socialization matters.
- Keep training positive and consistent; harsh corrections don't work well with this breed's temperament
- Socialize deliberately and early to soften natural wariness of new people
- Use their strong retrieving drive as a training and enrichment tool
- Be patient with the stubborn streak; repetition works better than pressure
- Recall training matters given their wandering instinct once they pick up an interesting scent or catch sight of water
Health and Longevity
The American Water Spaniel is generally considered a hardy, resilient breed with a lifespan of about 10 to 14 years, but its small, closely connected population makes health testing especially important. Choose breeders who health test thoroughly, and the American Water Spaniel Club maintains an active health program given the breed's limited gene pool.
- OFA hip evaluation
- Eye examination for hereditary conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy
- Thyroid evaluation
- Some lines show a predisposition to skin allergies and ear infections, which tie directly into coat and ear care routines
- Occasional reports of epilepsy in the breed, another reason to ask about a line's health history
- Ask to see documented results for both parents, given the breed's limited gene pool
How to Find a Breeder
This is a genuinely rare breed, so expect a wait and a close-knit breeder community rather than wide availability.
Start with the right sources
- American Water Spaniel Club (AWSC), the AKC parent club — see americanwaterspanielclub.org for breeder referrals and health resources
- AWSC hunt tests and the club's Juniors program, where you can meet working dogs and breeders
- The American Water Spaniel Field Association (AWSFA), which focuses on hunting and field traditions
- Wisconsin and upper Midwest regional events, the breed's historic home territory
What a good breeder can explain clearly
- Full hip, eye, and thyroid testing results for both parents
- How they manage genetic diversity in a small, rare-breed population
- What daily life is really like: aloofness with strangers, stubbornness, water drive
- A written contract with health guarantees
Red flags that should slow you down
- No hip, eye, or thyroid testing disclosed for the parents
- No connection to or awareness of the AWSC or AWSFA
- Cannot honestly describe the breed's aloofness or stubborn streak
- Unusually large litters or high puppy turnover for such a rare breed
Best real-world tip
Go through the AWSC directly rather than general puppy marketplaces. Given how rare this breed is, the parent club is genuinely your best route to a health-tested, well-socialized puppy.
Expect to wait; that's normal for this breed and a sign of a careful breeding community, not a red flag.
The Cindra Touch
A curly, water-resistant coat like the AWS's needs a different rhythm than a straight double coat: the curls hold moisture and debris longer, so thorough drying after swimming matters just as much as after a bath.
My approach with curly retrieving coats is to cleanse well, condition lightly so the curl pattern stays defined rather than going limp, and always dry completely, especially around the ears, to avoid trapped moisture issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do American Water Spaniels shed a lot?
No, shedding is low. The dense, curly coat holds onto loose hair rather than releasing it broadly, but that means regular brushing is essential to prevent matting and cording.
How often should I bathe an American Water Spaniel?
Every 4 to 6 weeks works for most, with more frequent rinsing after swimming or hunting. See the full grooming guide for product recommendations.
What shampoo is best for a curly, water-resistant coat?
Look for a shampoo that cleans thoroughly without weighing down natural curl, paired with light conditioning to prevent tangling.
Compare options here: How to Choose Dog Shampoo by Coat Type.
Is this breed a good first dog?
Can work well for active first-time owners, especially those near water, as long as they're prepared for a genuinely stubborn streak and natural wariness of strangers.
How big does an American Water Spaniel get?
They're a medium-sized dog, standing 15 to 18 inches at the shoulder. Males typically weigh 30 to 45 pounds and females 25 to 40 pounds.
Why can't American Water Spaniels compete in AKC field trials?
The breed club has voted to keep the AWS unclassified as either a spaniel or a retriever. That means they're eligible for AKC spaniel and retriever hunt tests, but not for AKC field trials, which are organized strictly by classification.
Are American Water Spaniels good with kids and other pets?
Generally yes, especially when raised with them or properly introduced. Like any high-energy sporting breed, supervision with small children is still a good idea.
Written By
Tasha Mesina
Tasha Mesina is a professional groomer and the owner of Cindra Grooming Products. She is also a Belgian Malinois and Laekenois breeder under Element Belgians. Her work centers on coat health, correct coat behavior, and practical, honest breed guidance for owners and handlers.