Canis lupus familiaris
American Water Spaniel
Featured photoamerican-water-spaniel.jpgThe American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized gundog developed in the Great Lakes region of the United States during the 19th century. Purpose-built for hunting from small skiffs on cold Midwestern waterways, the breed combines the flushing instincts of a spaniel with the retrieving ability of a water retriever. Its tightly curled or wavy liver or brown double coat provides insulation and water resistance. The AKC admitted the breed in 1940; it is the official state dog of Wisconsin. The standard describes a dog standing 38–46 cm at the withers and weighing 14–20 kg.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Sporting
- Origin country
- United States
- Origin period
- Mid-19th century
- Coat type
- Curly
- Coat colors
- Liver, Brown, Dark Chocolate
- Average lifespan
- 10-14 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1940 · UKC 1920
Origin
The American Water Spaniel emerged along the waterways of Wisconsin and Minnesota in the mid-1800s, bred by market hunters who needed a dog small enough to ride in a canoe yet capable of flushing upland birds and retrieving waterfowl from icy lakes. Irish Water Spaniels, Curly-Coated Retrievers, and older spaniel strains are the most cited ancestors. Dr. Fred J. Pfeifer of New London, Wisconsin, carried out the critical standardisation work in the early 1900s and founded the American Water Spaniel Club in 1937 to seek formal recognition.
Recognition
The United Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1920, making it one of the earlier official recognitions for an American-developed gundog. The AKC followed in 1940, placing the breed in the Sporting Group. The Wisconsin state legislature named the American Water Spaniel the official state dog in 1985, the only breed to hold that distinction in Wisconsin. The FCI has not recognised the breed, as it is not held by a member nation's kennel club.
Standard
The AKC standard calls for a dog of medium size, well-proportioned and muscular, built for efficient movement in the field. The skull is moderately broad and full, the muzzle is square with sufficient length for retrieving. The coat is the breed's most distinctive feature: closely curled or with a marcel wave over the body, with a protective undercoat; liver or brown in color with minimal white markings only on the toes or chest. Males stand 38–46 cm and weigh 14–20 kg; females are slightly smaller.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-07
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-07
- breed-club — accessed 2026-05-07
Frequently asked questions
What AKC group does the American Water Spaniel belong to?
The American Kennel Club places the American Water Spaniel in the Sporting Group. The Sporting Group encompasses pointers, setters, retrievers, and spaniels — breeds developed to assist hunters in locating, flushing, or retrieving game. The AWS was bred specifically to flush and retrieve waterfowl from the small boats and marshy terrain of the Great Lakes region.
When was the American Water Spaniel officially recognized by the AKC?
The AKC granted full recognition to the American Water Spaniel in 1940, following the establishment of the American Water Spaniel Club in 1937. The United Kennel Club had recognized the breed earlier, in 1920. The breed is one of relatively few gundog breeds developed entirely within the United States.
What coat type does the American Water Spaniel have?
The American Water Spaniel has a closely curled or marcelled (waved) double coat in liver or brown, with a dense undercoat that provides insulation in cold water. The coat is tightly curled or wavy over the body and may be slightly wavy on the head. The AKC standard considers a straight coat a fault.
