Dog Breeds: American Water Spaniel

Also known as the Amerikanisher Wasserspaniel, or simply the AWS, the American Water Spaniel has been a popular farm and hunting dog since the 18th century. We're not really sure where this dog came from or how it came to be, but sources indicate it may have originated in Wisconsin or Minnesota. It definitely came from the Great Lakes area, so it is also possible this breed has a more Canadian ancestry. Wherever this dog came from, it is descended from both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Irish Water Spaniel.

Though the American Water Spaniel was popular on farms throughout the Midwest for more than a century, it was not actually recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until 1940. It would have certainly been accepted earlier, except breed enthusiasts worried that acceptance would lead to the breed being tailored to the show ring, ruining its reputation as a hunter. To some extent this did happen, and now the American Water Spaniel is considered a rare breed. Registration numbers continue to be low, but it is thought that there are dozens of lines that were never registered, so perhaps this spunky dog is more popular than we realize.

Because it was bred to hunt, the American Water Spaniel is an active and hardy dog. He is a medium sized dog, standing about 18 inches high and weighing up to 45 pounds. The head is generally broad, but is in proportion to the body. The nose, which should be brown or black, is wide with large nostrils. Eyes shouldn't set wife apart and range in color from a brown so dark it's almost black to a pretty hazel brown to a bright yellow brown. The exact eye color typically coordinates with the coat color. Coat color can be liver, brown, or a deep chocolate. All colors may have some white on the chest or toes.

The coat itself might be wavy or downright curly. Either way, there is significant feathered on the tail, the legs, and even on the ears, giving the American Water Spaniel a puffy appearance. But don't worry, he sheds less than you'd think. A light brushing once a week is enough to keep the shedding under control, but don't bathe your canine friend unless you have to. Bathing strips the natural oils from the cost and can lead to severe skin problems.

The American Water Spaniel is quite intelligent and eager to please, making him highly trainable. He loves to learn and play, and if the game resembles chasing game birds, so much the better. Energetic and confident, this dog will do almost anything, but he's also a sensitive canine. Training should be firm and fun, not harsh or demanding if you want your pooch to be at his best.

Easygoing and wonderful with children, the American Water Spaniel is a great family pet who will even love the non-canine pets in your family. Though this dog loves attention, he can also stay at home by himself for a few hours without losing his mind. He'll probably sleep the day away if no one is home, and he'll probably snore while he sleeps, day or night. He may also drool, but it's the cute kind if drool.

If your dog is bored, he may bark or whine, or even become hyper. Combat this by making sure he receives lots of exercise. If you live in an apartment, this means at least three walks a day. You can also put this dog out in a medium sized yard, but beware, the American Water Spaniel likes to roam. He'll swim across lakes and river, bound over uneven terrain, and generally explore anywhere he can reach. He may also get lost, so it's best he not be left outside alone for extended periods. He doesn't mean to run off, but it is in his nature to wander.

An excellent swimmer, this active dog has a gentle mouth and a powerful nose. These traits makes him a wonderful bird dog, not just because he can find and retire the prey, but because his soft mouth will not damage the flesh of the bird. He can even retrieve game from a boat, making him a useful companion for just about any hunter. And yet his sweet disposition never fails no matter what he's up to.

If you're looking for a sweet little dog who will do anything to make you happy, the American Water Spaniel may be for you.

Whiskey: The Unexpected Puppy

Last summer, my son's dog died. It was devastating for everyone, but no one was more broken up then my oldest son, Tristan. She had been his baby, his best friend, and his life, and anyone who has ever lost a dog can relate to that. Finding another puppy who could even come close to Brownie would prove impossible in the months following her death. But we had to try.

Eventually, however, Tristan decided he had to have another Poodle, this one red, not black, and with white markings. So we found a breeder, were told it would be several months before there was a puppy available, and sat back to wait. That should have been it. It really should have.

But fate doesn't always play along, and we were about to learn that first hand. My sister had a dog, a Labradoodle named Willow. Cute dog, sweet, too bouncy for my tastes, but nice enough. She decided to breed Willow to a Golden Retriever a few months after Brownie had passed away. And in January, Willow had nine puppies.

My sister, of course, offered to let him buy a puppy, and Tristan dutifully took a look, but decided they weren't for him. They weren't Poodles, and they weren't dark red, so they weren't for him. Okay. My sister listed her pups for sale and they sold in just a few days. All except for the runt who was walking funny. He'd been born first with no one to witness, so we were never quite sure why. Maybe his mother stepped in him. Whatever the reason, my sister didn't feel comfortable selling a potentially injured pup. She'd wait until the vet cleared him before selling him.

So the weeks passed and we visited once a week so the kids could play with the puppies. Tristan never once mentioned having one of the Goldendoodle puppies for his own. He played with them, talked about the Poodle he'd get in just another three or four months. He was content and things were going as expected.

Then something happened we did not expect. The Saturday before the puppies were to go to their new homes, and just a few hours before my sister would sell the remaining puppy (who had been given a clean bill of health just the day before), we went to see the puppies for the last time.

By this time, we'd all visited once a week for two months. So we'd hold a puppy for a minute, put it down, then visit with my sister (actually my sweetheart of a niece). Tristan was the only one who was still title fascinated, so he hung out with the puppies while we all visited.

I honestly can't tell you what happened next. I do know that Tristan spent two hours laughing in the puppy room while I was mostly playing hide and seek with my niece. I do know that when I called him so we could go home, he came out of the room with a puppy in his arms.

"Mommy, I want Whiskey," he said, clutching at the puppy my nephew had called Whiskey. The runt with the weird hips.

I nodded. "I know, he's cute. Let's go."

My sister reached for the puppy, but Tristan wouldn't give him up. "No, Mommy. I want to buy him."

It was then that my sister, mother, and I probably looked a little ridiculous. We were shocked, to say the least. This kid had exhibited no interest in this puppy just the week before. Now, however, he wanted to buy him.

I recovered first. "Are you sure?" I felt compelled to ask.

He was. That was his puppy. Still, he'd been so set on a red Poodle I was hesitant to agree. We compromised. He'd sleep on it, and the next day, if he hadn't changed his mind, I'd take him to the bank and he could get money out of his account.

Morning didn't change anything. He was in love with that puppy, and it was obvious Whiskey worshipped him in return. So he paid his deposit, got a receipt, and a week later we had a new friend. Whiskey was here to stay.

Not what we expected, but we wouldn't trade him for anything.