American Water Spaniel

The American Water Spaniel, often called the “little brown dog,” is a small but mighty hunting breed. Weighing in at 25 to 45 pounds, this dog may be cute, but he’s also known for being headstrong and stubborn. The AWS, or American Water Spaniel, is mostly a water retriever that has gained popularity as a hunting dog among those familiar with the breed. The AWS became the state dog of Wisconsin in the mid-19th century after being bred in the Wolf and Fox River Valley region.

The AWS is a unique dog. He’s determined, independent, and will use any chance possible to be the leader with individuals or other dogs. However, he’s also an intelligent dog who does well with gentle yet firm training methods used consistently. When paired with the right owner, this breed truly desires to please them. You can use positive reinforcement techniques, like playing with them, praising them, and giving food rewards to train your dog most effectively. Try to socialize early on so that you don’t have to deal with potential problems down the road, such as food-guarding behavior, shyness around other dogs or people, or aggression towards unknown dogs.

Like most retrievers, he never stops moving and needs to walk every day. If you want, you can also have him participate in dog sports such as flyball or agility; both activities will surely wear him out. Anything that gets him wet is perfect for this breed– they love it!

Lastly, the American Water Spaniel needs to live in the house as they are social creatures who need companionship. They will be unhappy if they are kept outside with little interaction from people.