Spanish Water DogCharacteristics, history, training and care

Spanish Water Dog. · Brindis320 / Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Cropped and resized.

The Spanish Water Dog (Perro de agua español) is a rustic, medium-sized dog with a curly, woolly coat, used as a herding dog, a hunting dog and a helper to fishermen. The FCI standard describes it as faithful, obedient, cheerful, hard-working, alert and balanced, with an extraordinary ability to learn, adapting to any situation.

Quick facts

Common name	Spanish Water Dog (Perro de agua español)
Scientific name	Canis lupus familiaris
Country of origin	Spain
Official recognition	FCI, definitively since 30 May 1999 (group 8, water dogs; standard no. 336); also recognised by the AKC
Lifespan	12–14 years, according to the AKC
Size (males)	44–50 cm at the withers; 18–22 kg
Size (females)	40–46 cm at the withers; 14–18 kg
Coat type	Always curly and woolly; forms cords when long
Common colours	White, black, brown; black and white or brown and white
Energy level	High
Suited to an apartment?	Only with plenty of exercise
Temperament	Faithful, obedient, cheerful, hard-working, alert
Tendency to aggression	Low; reserved with strangers
Good with children	Good
Good with other animals	Moderate; some have a strong prey drive
Genetic predispositions	Hip dysplasia, eye diseases, food allergies

Primary category:Dog breeds
Explore this animal's categories:
Dog breeds Hunting dog breeds Low-shedding dog breeds Medium dog breeds Retrievers, spaniels and water dogs

History and origin

The FCI standard says this dog has been present in the Iberian Peninsula for a very long time and shares its origin with the old Barbet. Most live in Andalusia, where it is used as a herding dog and where for centuries it was known as the “Turkish dog”. Its coat is adapted to the humidity and drought of marshy areas.

Wikipedia says that at the end of the 20th century three populations were identified: the Marismeño, from the Guadalquivir marshes; the Serrano, from southern Andalusia; and the Norteño, from Cantabria and Asturias, recognised in Spain in 2012 as a separate breed. Today it is kept mainly as a companion animal.

How the breed developed

Centuries ago – The “Turkish dog” of Andalusia.
Late 20th century – Three populations are identified.
30 May 1999 – The FCI recognises the breed.
2012 – The northern variety becomes a separate breed in Spain.

Breed rating

Feature	Stars
Training and intelligence	★★★☆☆
Easy to train	★★★★★
Intelligence	★★★★☆
Independence	★★★★☆
Stubbornness	★★★★☆
Behaviour and temperament	★★★☆☆
Affectionate with family	★★★★☆
Friendly with children	★★★★☆
Good with other dogs	★★★☆☆
Good with cats and other animals	★☆☆☆☆
Loyalty	★★★★☆
Tendency to be aggressive	★★☆☆☆
Tendency to bark	★★★★☆
Needs and care	★★★★☆
Shedding	★★★★★
Needs frequent grooming	★★★☆☆
Activity and lifestyle	★★★★☆
Energy level	★★★★☆
Daily exercise needs	★★★★☆
Suited to apartment life	★★★☆☆
Health and longevity	★★★★☆
Life expectancy	★★★☆☆
Predisposition to genetic diseases	★★☆☆☆
Working abilities and uses	★★☆☆☆
Good companion dog	★★★★☆
Good companion dog	★★★★☆

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

Physical characteristics

The standard describes it as a rustic, well-proportioned dog of medium weight, with an elongated, harmonious shape, athletic, with well-developed muscles thanks to regular exercise.

General appearance

The coat is always curly, with a woolly texture. When short, it is curly; when long, it forms cords. Puppies are always born with curly hair. Clipping is permitted, but it must be complete and even, never “cosmetic”.

Feature	Spanish Water Dog
Size	Medium
Height at the withers	males: 44–50 cm; females: 40–46 cm
Weight	males: 18–22 kg; females: 14–18 kg
Coat	Curly, woolly
Eyes	Brown, covered by hair
Type	Water dog

The standard accepts white, black or brown in various shades and black and white or brown and white. Tricolours, black and tan and hazelnut and tan are not accepted.

Training and socialisation

The standard describes it as faithful, obedient, cheerful, hard-working, alert and balanced, with an extraordinary ability to learn. The AKC says it is very intelligent, very eager to please and thrives on positive, clicker-type training; harsh methods make it lose its enthusiasm.

The AKC warns that, being a herding dog, some have a very strong prey drive and need a reliable recall. They are very loyal to their owners but can be reserved with strangers, so early socialisation is important.

Tips for effective training

Use a clicker and rewards. It enjoys problems to solve.
Practise the recall. Some have a strong prey drive.
Socialise it early. It is reserved with strangers.
Avoid harshness. It loses its enthusiasm.

Activity needs and lifestyle

The AKC says it needs a good run at least once a day. Once its bones have finished growing, it can take long, intense exercise and is a good companion for running, hiking or snowshoeing.

Activity	How often	Why it matters
Running	daily	Energy
Hiking or swimming	weekly	Stamina
Training or agility	several times a week	A busy mind

Tips for a balanced life

Do not brush its coat.
Keep its mind busy.
Moderate exercise until growth is complete.

Care and health

Coat and skin care

The AKC says the basic rule is that the coat is never brushed and should be the same length all over. How often it is clipped is up to the owner; some let it grow for months so that it forms cords. The AKC gives it 1 out of 5 for shedding.

Common health problems

The AKC says responsible breeders check their dogs for:

Condition	Description	Common symptoms
Hip dysplasia	The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops	Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain
Eye diseases	Inherited conditions	Poor vision
Food allergies	Occur occasionally	Itching, digestive problems

Other care

Check the ears regularly.
Brush its teeth, ideally every day.
Ask for the parents' hip and eye tests.

Diet and nutrition

The AKC says it does well on good-quality food suited to its age and activity, although some have food allergies.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

Dog's weight	Calories per day (neutered)	Calories per day (not neutered)	Dry food per day (approximate)
14 kg	810 kcal	910 kcal	200–260 g
18 kg	980 kcal	1,100 kcal	240–310 g
22 kg	1,140 kcal	1,280 kcal	280–370 g

Adjust the portion to its level of effort.
Treats count towards the daily portion.
A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Reproduction and development

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.