The American Water Spaniel is a great answer for today's needs. They are a muscular dog but compact in size, averaging 15 to 18 inches high at the shoulder, and 25 to 45 pounds. They are a most beautiful extra dark chocolate brown with a lovely curly to marcel coat. American Water Spaniels are very fond of children, making excellent pets and companions, yet they are superb watchdogs, efficiently guarding the family and family possessions. For those of you who like your dogs to live with you as a family member, they are one of the easiest dogs to housebreak. These dogs display an amiable temperament and a strong instinct for hunting and for retrieving. They have an innate desire to please, a quality which makes them easily trained and will work with avid enthusiasm that is enhanced by praise and reward.
When hunting, they are one of the finest dogs raised or bred in America. Your American Water Spaniel will lead you to an unbelievable few feet from pheasants, grouse, quail, doves, etc., flush them and then after being shot, bring them back and drop them at your feet. They are natural born waterfowl and upland bird dogs, and learn to hunt in no time at all. They are graceful swimmers, swimming like a seal, and can turn around instantly because their tail serves as a rudder. The size of this breed is an undisputable attribute for working out of a boat. Their size is also an advantage in working in field or shore blinds. The Water Spaniels are very easy keepers, and because of their compact size, require only about 1/3 the food the larger breeds require.
These dogs will make you proud by doing the work
of the larger hunting breeds, yet weigh only 1/3
as much. Do you really need a 100 lb. dog to retrieve a 4 lbs. duck
or 2 lb. grouse? No matter where you
hunt, they seem to be able to adjust to all climates.
