AMERICAN WATER SPANIEL — BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION Breed Description / Health Issues / Breed Standards / Grooming / Training / Additional Information Breed Description
Breed Registries:	Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) - Sporting Dogs American Kennel Club (AKC) - Sporting Group United Kennel Club (UKC) - Gun Dog Breeds Fédération Cynologique Internationale * - FCI-Standard No. 301
Note: The breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America. * — The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is the World Canine Organisation, which includes members (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 332 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.
Origin:	USA
Height:	15 to 18 inches (38-46 cm)
Weight:	Males: 28 to 45 lbs (13-20 kg) Females: 25-40 lbs (11-18 kg)
The American Water Spaniel was developed as a working gun dog mainly in the Midwest United States. An all-around gun dog, he is an efficient retriever of upland game and valuable for duck hunting. He is physically and mentally tough enough to withstand the cold waters of the Great Lakes and small enough to launch himself out of a boat or climb back in. The American Water Spaniel has the typical friendly temperament of the spaniel breeds. He is charming, intelligent, and his desire to please makes him highly trainable. Being a working gun dog, he is an active dog that needs regular exercise. His coat is closely curled and sufficiently dense to protect him against weather, water or dense cover. His coat colour is either solid liver or dark chocolate and he may have a little white on the toes or chest. TOP Health Issues: Like all breeds of dogs, the American Water Spaniel is at risk of some health problems, including: Cardiac Disorders Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Epilepsy Eye Diseases If you are considering the adoption of an American Water Spaniel puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. The American Water Spaniel Club (member of the AKC Parent Club) recommends that health clearances and certificates be obtained for hip dysplasia, eye diseases with biannual exams up to age six, and heart disease prior to breeding. Health and Nutrition — Canada's Guide to Dogs growing section on several health and nutrition related issues. AWS Partners — Achieving Wellness Solutions in the American Water Spaniel The Keoni Project - Epilepsy in the American Water Spaniel Hypothyroidism in the American Water Spaniel By Paul Morrison Canine Inherited Disorders Database - American Water Spaniel Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) — American Water Spaniel Breeds Requirements — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). AKC Canine Health Foundation — Working towards developing scientific advances in canine health. Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip) QuickCare Pet Insurance Programs TOP Breed Standards: CKC Breed Standard AKC Breed Standard Official UKC Breed Standard FCI Standard No 301/22.01.1999/GB TOP Grooming: Grooming Your American Water Spaniel Grooming — See this section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for additional information, tips and articles on Grooming as well as listings of Groomers from across Canada. TOP Training Resources: Training — For information on training your Water Spaniel, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada. Training Tools & Equipment Choose from a wide variety of items from Dogwise.com TOP Additional Information: Articles by the American Water Spaniel Field Association History of the American Water Spaniel — from the Canadian Kennel Club Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your American Water Spaniel. (Note: Breed specific clubs can be found under the Breed Clubs secton.) Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of Canada's Guide to Dogs provides information and listings of organizations who are involved in various jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.

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Select from the following links to view American Water Spaniel Breeder listings; Breed Clubs; Shows and Events; Rescue Organizations; as well as Books and Merchandise specific to the American Water Spaniel breed: Breed Description & Information  /  Clubs  /  Breeders  /  Rescue Organizations  /  Books & Merchandise

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Last Updated: 18 July 2006