The Spaniels are some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. The more common ones include the English Springer Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, and English Cocker Spaniel. There are also lesser-known types like the American Cocker Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Sussex Spaniels, Clumber Spaniels, Field Spaniels, etc.
The Spanish water dogs come from a different line of ancestors than all of these other types of spaniels that we just talked about. They were originally bred to hunt ducks in Argentina by crossing several hunting dogs with a local herding breed called Patagonian Sheepdog or Chien d’Argent Argentinien (CSA). Today they are used for many different purposes, including hunting, watching over the family, and guarding the home.
Size
The Spanish Water Dog is a medium to large dog that can reach up to 28 inches tall at its shoulders and weighs anywhere from 45-75 pounds for females and 55-85 pounds for males. Because they are larger than many other types of spaniels, they need plenty of room to move around and exercise. They are best suited for homes with huge backyards where they can run around and play all day long.
Temperament
Spaniels are known for their sweet, friendly personalities. You must work on training them at an early age to be well-behaved when they get older. This is especially important if you have children because of their size and strength, so it can be tough to control them around kids. These dogs are also very protective of the home and family – if someone comes up on your property, they may even chase them away!
Hair/Coat
These dogs have concise hair about 1-1/2 to 3 inches in length. Their coat can come in several different colours like black, white, brown, and white brindle.
Life Span
The Spanish Water Dog has an average life span of 12-14 years if properly cared for. This may be a bit shorter for those that are not as active and lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Type of Owners
This is a great dog for people who have larger homes with huge yards where the Spanish Water Dog can run around and play all day long. They also make excellent watchdogs because they will alert you when someone is on your property. If you have a smaller home or live in an area where there isn’t as much room for your dog to run around, then you might want to consider another type of spaniel.
Type of Training
These dogs tend to be very stubborn and hard-headed when training them. Because of this, you must make sure to start training them as early as possible before they reach 12 weeks. They are brilliant, but you must use positive reinforcement with lots of praise to get them to do what you want.
Exercise
The Spanish Water Dog needs many exercises – probably more than one owner can give them, so you must take them for lots of long, daily walks. If you do not, they will become heartbroken and might even develop some behavioural problems.
Special Grooming Needs
Their coats are so short that it doesn’t require much effort to groom them at all. You can brush them out with a stiff bristle brush and then wipe them down with a cloth to ensure no dirt or other objects on their skin.
Best Owner Conditions
Spanish Water Dogs do best when exposed to lots of activity and exercise, but this might not be possible if you live in an apartment or small home. They also need owners who can give them the attention they need because they become unhappy if left alone for too long.
Breed History
The Spanish Water Dog is one of the newest breeds of spaniels, which were created by crossing several different types of hunting dogs with the local herding breed Patagonian Sheepdog or Chien d’Argent Argentinien (CA).
Most Famous Member of the Breed
The most famous member of this breed is actually a non-dog featured in several movies. This dog was named Zorba, and he was an English Mastiff who even had his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has passed away but will live on forever through his work on the big screen.
Breed Characteristics
These dogs are very agile and athletic, which makes them excellent hunters. They love to go out into the water because their skin actually repels it, so swimming is not something that will wear them down! They were originally bred for hunting ducks, but they can also be trained to hunt other animals. The Spanish Water Dog is also used as a herder and can protect the livestock they watch.
Conclusion
The Spanish Water Dog is a great dog for people who have larger homes with huge yards where the Spanish Water Dog can run around and play all day long. They also make excellent watchdogs because they will alert you when someone is on your property. If you live in an apartment or small home, this might not be possible.
These dogs are very agile and athletic, making them excellent hunters who love to go out into the water – even swimming doesn’t tire them! The breed has been used as a herder of livestock but also excels at hunting ducks due to their natural repellent coat. You may want to consider this type of spaniel if you need a watchdog or hunter-type pet!
