The American Water Spaniel is one of the few breeds made entirely in the United States. It was born in the Great Lakes country of Wisconsin and Minnesota in the early 1800s. Wisconsin named it the state dog in 1986. Hunters and farmers there needed a small, do-everything water dog. It had to fit in a small boat, retrieve ducks from cold lakes, and flush birds on land too. Breeders likely built it from the Irish Water Spaniel, the Curly-Coated Retriever, and the Field Spaniel.
The result weighs 13-20 kg and has a curly or wavy chestnut-to-liver coat. It is a true all-rounder and a working breed at heart. It is eager, tireless in the field, and devoted to its family. But it is also more independent than the typical eager-to-please spaniel. That comes from generations of making its own choices out in the marsh. This mix of skill and independence is what defines the dog.
An active home suits the American Water Spaniel well. A quiet, sedentary home does not. It needs real daily exercise, careful recall training against a strong urge to hunt, and early socialization to ease its natural wariness of strangers. With patient, reward-based training that respects its independent streak, it becomes a capable, loving, versatile companion. Treated as a low-energy pet, that same dog turns its drive into trouble instead.
At a glance:
- Trainability: 7/10, capable but independent-minded — cooperation is built through reward, not assumed
- Biggest risk factor: strong hunt drive that overrides recall near water and wildlife
- Social reserve: initially cautious with strangers, needing early socialization to build confidence
- Example: near open water or a scent trail, an AWS will chase the moment before it thinks to check in
- Not for: sedentary households or owners unwilling to invest months in recall training
What Makes Training an American Water Spaniel Different
1. More independent than most spaniels. The AWS was bred to work the marsh on its own, and it brings that mindset home. It is charming in the field but tougher in formal obedience work. You must build cooperation with rewards, not just expect it.
2. A strong urge to hunt and retrieve. Flushing, scenting, and retrieving come naturally to this breed. Wildlife and water will pull its focus away from you until training is solid. Recall especially takes patience and months of work.
3. A stubborn streak in some lines. Not every American Water Spaniel is the same, but a stubborn streak shows up in the breed, especially over territory the dog sees as its own. Stay consistent and use strong rewards to keep it cooperative.
4. Wary of strangers at first. Like its ancestor the Irish Water Spaniel, the AWS can be cautious around new people at first. Socialization matters, so the dog grows into a confident, well-adjusted adult.
Week-by-Week Training Plan for Your American Water Spaniel
Weeks 1 and 2 : Foundation and Socialization
Build engagement and socialize broadly to counter the natural reserve. Our puppy basics guide covers the mechanics.
- Pair short, upbeat sessions with high-value food to build a working bond.
- Socialize broadly with people, dogs, water, surfaces, and sounds.
- Reward voluntary attention to establish a strong check-in habit.
- Introduce gentle handling of the ears and curly coat.
Weeks 3 and 4 : Core Commands
Sit, down, stay, and here are taught with food motivation and consistency.
- Teach the core cues with luring, fading to hand signals.
- If field work is a goal, introduce whoa, back, and over early.
- Keep sessions short and rewarding for an independent-minded dog.
Weeks 5 and 6 : Recall Priority Investment
Build recall before any open-area off-leash work, since the hunt drive is powerful.
- Train recall on a long line with the highest-value rewards.
- Layer in scent and wildlife distractions gradually.
- Never call the recall cue when you cannot reward or enforce it.
Weeks 7 and 8 : Loose Leash and Water Exposure
Install leash manners and introduce controlled swimming.
- Use a front-clip harness and the stop-and-stand method for loose-leash walking.
- Introduce controlled water entry on cue, channeling the breed's love of water.
- Reward calm focus around the high-excitement triggers of water and birds.
Weeks 9 and 10 : Advanced Recall and Field Work
Deepen recall reliability and engage the working drive.
- Proof recall near water and wildlife wherever possible.
- Introduce retrieving dummies to shape a clean delivery.
- Reward controlled work over frantic, self-rewarding chasing.
Weeks 11 and 12 : Sport or Field Proofing
Consolidate the foundations with a real outlet.
- Advance field work, nose work, or dock diving as appropriate.
- Proof all cues across varied, mildly distracting environments.
- Establish a sustainable rhythm of exercise, training, and swimming.
Common American Water Spaniel Training Mistakes
Mistake 1 : Under-exercising. An unexercised AWS redirects its energy into trouble. Provide sixty to ninety minutes of vigorous daily activity.
Mistake 2 : Going off-leash before solid recall. The hunt drive is powerful; build recall fully before open-area off-leash time.
Mistake 3 : Insufficient socialization. The reserved tendency with strangers needs early positive exposure to produce a confident dog.
Mistake 4 : Ignoring the independent streak. Some lines are stubborn. Stay consistent and pay competitively. Full breakdown : American Water Spaniel training mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are American Water Spaniels easy to train ? With positive methods and patience, yes, the food motivation is strong and the breed is capable. The independence means it cooperates rather than blindly obeys, so consistency and good rewards matter more than with an eager-to-please spaniel.
How much exercise does an American Water Spaniel need ? Sixty to ninety minutes of vigorous daily activity, ideally including swimming and retrieving. As a versatile working breed, it needs both physical and mental outlets to stay settled. Variety suits the AWS especially well, a swim one day, a long scent walk the next, a retrieving or training session the day after, which keeps the clever, all-purpose mind engaged and prevents the independent streak from finding its own entertainment.
Are American Water Spaniels rare ? Yes. The breed has a small population even in the United States, and finding a reputable breeder usually requires research and patience.
Are American Water Spaniels hypoallergenic ? The low-shedding curly coat is generally tolerated by allergy sufferers, though it is not truly hypoallergenic. It needs regular brushing and benefits from drying and ear care after swims.
Are American Water Spaniels good family dogs ? With socialization, excellent, they are devoted, enthusiastic, and good with children in active homes. Their reserve with strangers and their energy mean socialization and exercise are essential. As a breed developed by hunting families to be both a capable field dog and a household companion, the AWS bonds closely with its people and thrives on being included in family activities, whether that is a hike, a swim, or a training game in the yard.
Are American Water Spaniels good apartment dogs ? With very adequate daily exercise, manageable, though they are happier with yard and water access. Meeting the energy needs is the key factor, not the size of the home.
How long do American Water Spaniels live ? Typically thirteen to fifteen years, with responsible breeders screening for hip and eye conditions.
Why TailorPup Was Built for American Water Spaniels
A generic plan built for eager-to-please spaniels misjudges the AWS's independence and underestimates its hunt drive, leaving an owner with an under-worked, stubborn dog. TailorPup's American Water Spaniel plan channels the breed's working instincts, builds recall against a powerful nose, and uses consistent, competitive rewards that suit an independent all-rounder.
Daily 12-minute training sessions plus weekly adjustments. Free 7-day trial, cancel anytime.
Start your American Water Spaniel's plan free at tailorpup.com →
Related: American Water Spaniel Training Mistakes · Recall Training · Leash Pulling · Puppy Training Basics