Spanish Water Dogs are lively, athletic and versatile. They are willing working dogs and easy to train, having the ability to learn quickly and remember for a long time. They can be independent when working and will often work things out for themselves. To say these dogs are versatile is an understatement.
In their native Spain, they fish, herd, hunt, climb trees and climb high scaffold in search and rescue type demonstrations. This breed has been kept alive and true by the farmers who primarily used them for herding stock; however they are a ‘Jack of all trades’ particularly if you include the breed’s original job of fishing and guarding the catch. They are also keen hunters. Spanish Water Dogs can turn their paws to almost anything. They are extremely quick learners but bright dogs are also quick to learn bad habits as well as good, so training must be adhered to from day one. This breed needs something to do, their brains need working.
Spanish Water Dogs attach themselves and often have a special relationship with one particular person in the family, and they require early socialization with people. They have a strong natural guarding instinct and therefore can be aloof with strangers, only accepting them on their own terms. Once someone has gained the respect of a Perro de Agua Espanol, they are a friend for life and greeted with enthusiasm. These dogs have impressive memories and do not forget those special to them. They truly are lovely dogs who will enhance your life with enjoyment, hilarity and devotion.
The appeal of the SWD is the breed’s tremendous working ability on land and in the water, as well as his vivacious temperament, stunning appearance, high energy and superior intelligence. However, this breed is not suited to everyone. You must always remember this breed is first and foremost a working dog. Whether you want a companion dog or a skilled worker, you will soon learn what a truly extraordinary wonder of the dog world this breed is.
The Spanish Water Dog is rustic, well proportioned of medium weight. The head is strong and carried with elegance. The Skull is flat with only slight marked occipital crest. Axes of skull and muzzle are parallel. The nostrils well defined. The nose is of the same color or slightly darker than the darkest one of the coat. The lips are well fitting; labial corners well defined. The teeth are well-formed, white, with well developed canines. The eyes are slightly oblique position, very expressive; of a hazel to chestnut color, should harmonize with the color of the coat. The conjunctiva is not apparent. The neck is short, well muscled, without dewlap, well set into the shoulders. The body is robust and the topline straight. The withers are hardly marked and the back is straight and powerful. The croup is slightly sloping. The chest is broad and well-let down-ribs well arched; diameter of thorax ample indicating considerable respiratory capacity. The belly is slightly tucked up. The tail is set at medium height. Docking must be done at the height of the 2nd to the 4th vertebra. Certain subjects show a congenital shortened tail (brachyouria). The forequarters are strong and vertical. The shoulders are well muscled and oblique. The upper arms are sturdy and the elbows are close to the chest and parallel. The forearms are straight and sturdy. The front feet are rounded, toes tight, nails of varied colors, resistant pads. The hindquarters are perfectly vertical with not too pronounced angulations and muscles capable of transmitting to the body a very energetic impulsion and the spring necessary for easy and elegant jumping. The upper thighs are long and well muscled. The skin is supple, fine and well adhering to the body. Can be pigmented brown or black, or be without pigment according to the color of the coat. The same applies to the mucous membranes. The coat is always curly and of woolly texture. Curly when short, can form cords when long. Clipped subjects are admitted; the clipping, always complete and even, must never become and (aesthetic) grooming. The recommended maximum length of the hair for shows is 12 cm (15 cm extending the curl) and minimum is 3 cm to see the quality of the curl. The puppies always are born with curly hair. Colors include white, black and chestnut in their different shades. Bicoloured: White and black or white and brown in their different shades. Tricolored subjects and black and tan, as well as hazelnut and tan dogs are not admitted.
The Spanish Water Dog is an extremely intelligent and well balanced versatile working dog with strong herding, hunting and guardian instincts. He is an exceptional companion, devoted to family, attentive and happy dog, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. He is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with competence and dignity. He is reserved with strangers but should not exhibit shyness. Although an authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable. The Spanish Water Dog is a large dog in a medium body. They should be socialized at a young age with people and other small animals. Be sure you are this dogs firm, consistent, confident pack leader to prevent them from becoming protective and territorial. Although they make fine companions and pets, Spanish Water Dogs (as any other dog) should never be left unsupervised with small children. Because of their high intelligence and working drive, they must be kept mentally and physically active doing something. Some of the tasks that the Spanish Water Dogs are used for are search and rescue, bomb detection, narcotics detection, herding, water sports, competitive agility, therapy work. Etc. teams of Spanish Water Dogs as rescue dogs were sent to Turkey, Mexico and Colombia after they experienced earth-quakes.
Health Problems
While the SWD seems to be a very healthy breed there are some issues that the SWD have, just like all other breeds. There are cases of Hip Dysplasia in the breed, so choose your breeder carefully. All breeding dogs should have their hips tested, either by OFA or PennHIP. There have been a few cases of PRA reported in Europe so it is advised that all breeders should test their breeding stock for PRA and other such genetic eye diseases with a yearly CERF exam. A responsible breeder will be able to produce the results in writing. Like other Water Dogs and related breeds, they grow hair in their ear canals and can be prone to ear infections. The ears must be kept dry and clean. . Because these dogs are (as a general rule) active and energetic as puppies, they may seriously injure themselves from too much running and jumping when their skeletal structure is still developing.
Living Conditions
The Spanish Water Dog can adapt to almost all environments or circumstances, as long as it gets enough exercise and is suitable for all climates. These hardy dogs can endure both extreme heat and cold with no problems
Exercise
The Spanish Water Dog should get plenty of exercise, which includes a daily walk. They are energetic and lively and are in their glory when allowed to romp and play. As young puppies (from 1 month to 7 months of age), their exercise should never be over-taxed, to avoid possible bone and joint problems later on, but should still be taken on a daily walk. They become more active and sleep less as they mature and by the time they are a year old, these dogs have endless stamina and are very fast, athletic and agile.
Coat & Appearance
First one must determine what duties the dog will undertake. Will he be used for hunting, water-sports, agility or some other form of work, or will he be a show dog. As a working dog you might want to shear the dog often as the coat will hinder his work in the bush while hunting, the hair will be broken off on the branches in the woods thus causing him to have an un-kept look, however if you shear him down he will always look clean and neat. The SWD is a rustic working dog. The coat of the SWD should never be combed or brushed. When allowed to grow, the coat may form cords. To maintain the coat, bathe only when necessary, using a mild shampoo without heavy conditioners. During the bath, the coat should never be rubbed excessively; the soap should be worked through the coat as if washing a sweater. After the dog is allowed to shake, the coat may be blotted with a towel, never rubbed vigorously. Allow the dog to air dry, or use a crate dryer, never a blow dryer. The coat will naturally mat which is what forms the cords. If the coat becomes excessively matted, the cords can be separated by pulling the mats apart with your fingers down to the skin. For show dogs, the Spanish Water Dog should never be aesthetically groomed. The cords should never be trimmed. The coat should be sheared down at least once a year (or more if you prefer a shorter coat) using a #5 blade on the entire body which leaves 1/4 inch of hair, including the head, and the ears. Once or twice a week one should look behind the ears and the area where he sits and with your fingers separate any cords that might bind together. Bathe as needed, drying takes some time. Consistent minimal work is needed to help develop the proper cording. The Spanish Water Dog does not shed its coat and is a single coated breed. While this produces less dander, people with severe allergies should use caution. The Spanish Water Dog is a hypo-allergenic dog (meaning FEWER allergies) but not a non-allergenic dog. Some people are allergic to the saliva and urine as well as the dander. If there are concerns about allergies, it is recommended that one spends time with the Spanish Water Dog to see if they are indeed allergic.
In Spain each spring, the farmers shear the sheep and do the dogs at the same time. This has been the adopted way of keeping the coat, so when the coat reaches maximum length and is becoming matted it is clipped off. The clip should be even all over, with no sculpting or shaping. For showing purposes the coat should be 1.5″ – 5″ in length in tight curls not matted. If the dog is not been shown, it is often clipped off more frequently.
Height: 15″ – 19.5″ Weight: 25 – 45lb
Colors: Black, Brown and White in their different shades or White with any other color
Coat: Wooly, always curly forming cords when long, the coat can be clipped but must be the same length all over.
They do not molt.
Agility
Agility training offers fun, confidence-building and competition. It is a strenuous activity that turns dogs into athletes while helping them develop physical skills. There are various levels of difficulty in the training so dogs and owners can continue to meet new and personal challenges.
There are various types of equipment that the dogs use, they walk over a high dog walk, climb over an A-Frame, they run through tunnels, go over various jumps, weave through poles, ride a see-saw and jump through tires.
Spanish Water Dogs are particularly good at agility, as they are very agile, intelligent and quick to learn. It is a very enjoyable sport and once you have tried it, you and your dog will be hooked. It is also a great way for you to keep fit, as well as your dog.
Flyball
This sport provides exercise and good fun for dogs and excitement for spectators as well as owners. You can play alone or as part of a relay team, racing against another flyball team as originally developed, the sport provides even more excitement.
The object of the game is for the dog to run to a box, step on a lever that releases a tennis ball into the air, retrieve the ball, and race back to the owner. In addition there are a series of low jumps over which the dog must jump on its way out and back from the box.
Many Spanish Water Dogs are now involved in flyball worldwide. They love this sport as it is great fun.
Group Sporting
Recognition
FCI, NKC, APRI, ACR, UKC and AKC/FSS, SWDAA, DRA, NAPR
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
NKC = National Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
UKC = United Kennel Club
AKC/FSS = American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service® Program
SWDAA = Spanish Water Dog Association of America’s
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
