American Water Spaniel

The American Water Spaniel does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage: a puppy food for puppies, a food made for medium-sized adult dogs for adults, and a senior-specific food for older dogs. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Twice-daily feedings on a consistent schedule work well for this breed. Some dogs are prone to gaining weight, so watch calorie intake and portion food with a standard measuring cup to avoid overfeeding. Dog food packaging gives guidance on how much to feed based on ideal weight, and your veterinarian can add advice based on your dog's health, lifestyle, and age.

Treats can be a useful training aid, but too many can lead to excess weight. As a guideline, treats should make up no more than 10 percent of daily calories. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

A healthy American Water Spaniel eating a complete, balanced food generally does not need supplements, since quality food is formulated to provide the nutrients they need. Some situations may still prompt a veterinarian to suggest one, such as a joint supplement or an omega-3 fatty acid for a dog with hip dysplasia. Talk with your veterinarian about whether your dog would benefit from a supplement.

The American Water Spaniel has a dense, waterproof, double-layer coat that can be tightly curled or wavy. That insulating coat protects the dog while swimming, running through a field, or working in harsh conditions, which is exactly what it was bred to do.

These dogs are relatively low-shedding, but they shed more heavily in spring and fall. Weekly brushing is the routine, with more frequent sessions during shedding season. In summer the coat is sparser and can be shaped with a rubber-tipped pin brush; the rest of the year, use a slicker brush to remove dead hair from the undercoat. A metal comb and a dematting brush round out the toolkit. Plan on a bath about every three months, or whenever the coat is dirty.

The breed is prone to ear infections, since moisture can become trapped in the ear canal. Keep the fur trimmed near the entrance of the ear canal, and clean the ears with a vet-approved cleaner after every swim or bath. Trim the nails regularly and make brushing the teeth part of the routine.

The breed has no special skin care needs, but contact your vet if you notice redness or flakiness. Check the eyes once or twice a year, and schedule an exam if you see redness, squinting, drainage, or vision changes. Keep this outdoorsy dog on year-round heartworm and flea and tick prevention.

American Water Spaniels are outdoorsy athletes who love hunting and swimming, so they need ample exercise. At a minimum, give them daily vigorous play with their owner or a companion dog in a park or large yard. They thrive when given a job to do, and it is in their DNA to make great hunting companions.

Field trials, competitive obedience, agility, and dock diving give the breed a positive way to burn off energy and put its natural skills to work. Good outlets include swimming, hiking, and hunting.

This breed has a strong prey drive and may dig to chase a wild animal like a rabbit. They can also be susceptible to separation anxiety, since they prefer to spend as much time as possible with their family. Without enough activity and mental stimulation, an underemployed dog can become bored, barky, and destructive, so a steady outlet for body and mind matters.

As with all breeds, early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended. Socialization means gently exposing the puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations between about 7 weeks and 4 months of age, which helps them grow into a well-adjusted adult. American Water Spaniels need this so they feel comfortable around new people, other pets, and children.

Friendly with familiar people, the breed can be aloof or reserved around strangers, and some have a touch of stubbornness, though good socialization as puppies reduces this. They respond well to reward-based methods using treats and favorite toys, so always use positive reinforcement and keep sessions engaging.

The breed's energy and natural talents shine in canine sports such as tracking, agility, barn hunt, and flyball, along with field events that teach the dog to flush game and retrieve waterfowl. With socialization and proper training when young, American Water Spaniels can do well with other pets and children, making an active family a good fit.