Basic Information
The American Water Spaniel (AWS), as its name suggests, originated in the United States. However, the exact time, location, and details of its origin remain a mystery. Since the breed was first recognized and extensively bred in the Midwest, it is now widely believed that it developed and evolved primarily in that region.
As a hunting retriever, the American Water Spaniel never leaves behind any game it’s sent to retrieve. It can keep its eyes on four or five birds taken down by the hunter and joyfully retrieve each one in succession.
This medium-sized, muscular, and powerful dog is intensely passionate about hunting and can be well-controlled even in the wild. With a keen sense of smell and outstanding swimming skills, it has all the qualities needed to be a reliable and trusted hunting companion.
As a gun dog, the American Water Spaniel is relentless in tracking down game—whether it's rabbits, pheasants, or ducks. It retrieves them accurately and carefully. Its swimming is as agile as a sea otter, making it highly effective in recovering wounded waterfowl, which rarely escape its pursuit. Its tail acts like a rudder, especially useful in turbulent waters.
Temperament
The American Water Spaniel thrives in any environment where it can work. With its sharp nose and exceptional swimming abilities, it is capable of tackling demanding tasks. Although its eagerness can sometimes make it overly excitable, it does not typically point at prey like some hunting dogs. Instead, it might suddenly leap to grab its target. It also serves well as a watchdog in domestic settings.
Its cheerful nature makes it easy to train. It displays a lively enthusiasm for hunting and can remain under control outdoors, showing intelligence, agility, friendliness, and a gentle temperament. It is more than qualified to be both a loyal companion and an effective guardian.
This breed is bright, alert, and friendly. It loves to please its owner and has an approachable, lovable personality.
Its behavior reflects intelligence, charm, and sociability. While it has strong drive and energy for hunting, it remains manageable in the field.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
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Highly responsive to commands in the wild
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Keen sense of smell
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Excellent swimming ability
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Adaptable to various hunting environments
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Highly trainable and intelligent
Feeding and Training
Compared to other hunting breeds, the American Water Spaniel is relatively easy to care for. Its strong swimming instincts, cheerful personality, and high trainability make it a pleasure to raise. But how do you properly train one?
How to train your dog to sit and stay
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Equip your dog with a training leash and collar. Keep some treats in your pocket.
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Shorten the leash, gently pull it, and say “Sit” while softly pressing down on the dog’s hindquarters until it sits correctly.
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Repeat the word “Sit.” Once it's sitting, say “Stay” firmly and steadily to encourage it to remain still.
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If the dog tries to stand up, return it to the original position and repeat the command.
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When it holds the sitting position without your hand for about 9 seconds, praise it joyfully with “Good!” and give a gentle pat or a treat.
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Continue the process in short 10-minute sessions, a few times a day. Gradually increase the distance between you and the dog while it holds the stay command.
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Praise it again with “Well done!” and reward it only after giving a release command like “OK.”
Final step:
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Drop the leash on the ground and move farther away. Each time, reinforce the command “Stay.”
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Use hand gestures for “Stay”: extend your arm forward, elbow straight, palm open facing the dog's nose, hold for a moment, then release gently.
Reminder: Training requires consistency. Always reward good behavior and correct bad behavior without being overly lenient. Balanced discipline is key to effective dog training.
