SPANISH WATER

Temperament: Playful but also Work-Oriented. Very Active and Upbeat.

AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 153 of 197

Height: 17.5-19.75 inches (male), 15.75-18 inches (female)

Weight: 40-49 pounds (male), 31-40 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Group: Herding Group

ABOUT THE SPANISH WATER

A rustic breed of the Iberian Peninsula, the Spanish Water Dog is a sturdy, medium sized, well proportioned, athletic dog that is suited to perform a variety of tasks including herding, hunting, and assisting fishermen.

In profile, the Spanish Water Dog is slightly longer than tall. He has a distinctive curly coat, which is adapted to the variation of humidity and drought of his homeland.

PERSONALITY

This is a smart dog with a strong work ethic. He likes to learn, responding best to positive reinforcement.

The people who live with this breed should be patient, with a sense of humor. Those qualities are a must for living happily with a dog who is described as quirky, manipulative, strong-willed and inventive.

NUTRITION

While some owners do encounter occasional food allergies with their Spanish Water Dogs, the breed should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval.

HEALTH

The Spanish Water Dog can develop certain health problems, including:

• Allergies
• Hip dysplasia
• Glaucoma
• Hypothyroidism
• Progressive retinal atrophy

CARE

Spanish Water Dogs benefit from a good run at least once a day. Once they have reached full maturity and the bone growth plates are closed, they have the capacity for lengthy, strenuous exercise and make great companions for activities such as running, hiking, or snow-shoeing.

GROOMING

The most important basic guidelines for a properly groomed Spanish Water Dog are that the coat is never to be brushed, and it should be the same length all over. Frequency of clipping is up to the owner’s preference for the length of hair on their dog, with some owners choosing to let it grow for many months to form cords.

Source: dogtime, akc.