The
American Water Spaniel was developed in the United
States as an all-around hunting dog, bred to retrieve
from skiff or canoes and work ground with relative
ease. The American Water Spaniel is an active
muscular dog, medium in size with a marcel to curly
coat. Emphasis is placed on proper size and a
symmetrical relationship of parts, texture of coat
and color.
Size, Proportion, Substance
15 to 18 inches for either sex. Males weighing 30-45
lbs. Females weighing 25-40 lbs. Females tend to be
slightly smaller than the males. There is no
preference for size within the given range of either
sex providing correct proportion, good substance and
balance is maintained. Proportion--is slightly longer
than tall, not too square or compact. However, exact
proportion is not as important as the dog being
well-balanced and sound, capable of performing the
breed's intended function. Substance --a solidly
built and well-muscled dog full of strength and
quality. The breed has as much substance and bone as
necessary to carry the muscular structure but not so
much as to appear clumsy.
Head
The
head must be in proportion to the overall dog.
Moderate in length. Expression is alert,
self-confident, attractive and intelligent. Medium
size eyes set well apart, while slightly rounded,
should not appear protruding or bulging. Lids tight,
not drooping. Eye color can range from a light
yellowish brown to brown, hazel or of dark tone to
harmonize with coat. Disqualify yellow eyes. Yellow
eyes are a bright color like that of lemon, not to be
confused with the light yellowish brown. Ears set
slightly above the eye line but not too high on the
head, lobular, long and wide with leather extending
to nose.
Skull rather broad and full, stop moderately defined,
but not too pronounced. Muzzle moderate in length,
square with good depth. No inclination to snipiness,
The lips are clean and tight without excess skin or
flews. Nose dark in color, black or dark brown. The
nose sufficiently wide and with well-developed
nostrils to insure good scenting power. Bite either
scissor or level.
Neck,
Topline, Body
Neck
round and of medium length, strong and muscular, free
of throatiness, set to carry head with dignity, but
arch not accentuated. Topline level or slight,
straight slope from withers. Body well-developed,
sturdily constructed but not too compactly coupled.
Well-developed brisket extending to elbow neither too
broad nor too narrow. The ribs well-sprung, but not
so well-sprung that they interfere with the movement
of the front assembly. The loins strong, but not
having a tucked-up look. Tail is moderate in length,
curved in a rocker fashion, can be carried either
slightly below or above the level of the back. The
tail is tapered, lively and covered with hair with
moderate feathering.
Forequarters
Shoulders
sloping, clean and muscular. Legs medium in length,
straight and well-boned but not so short as to
handicap for field work or so heavy as to appear
clumsy. Pasterns strong with no suggestion of
weakness. Toes closely grouped, webbed and
well-padded. Size of feet to harmonize with size of
dog. Front dewclaws are permissible.
Hindquarters
Well-developed
hips and thighs with the whole rear assembly showing
strength and drive. The hock joint slightly rounded,
should not be small and sharp in contour, moderately
angulated. Legs from hock joint to foot pad moderate
in length, strong and straight with good bone
structure. Hocks parallel.
Coat
Coat
can range from marcel (uniform waves) to closely
curled. The amount of waves or curls can vary from
one area to another on the dog. It is important to
have undercoat to provide sufficient density to be of
protection against weather, water or punishing cover,
yet not too coarse or too soft. The throat, neck and
rear of the dog well-covered with hair. The ear
well-covered with hair on both sides with ear canal
evident upon inspection. Forehead covered with short
smooth hair and without topknot. Tail covered with
hair to tip with moderate feathering. Legs have
moderate feathering with waves or curls to harmonize
with coat of dog. Coat may be trimmed to present a
wellgroomed appearance; the ears may be shaved; but
neither is required.
Color
Color
either solid liver, brown or dark chocolate. A little
white on toes and chest permissible.
Gait
The
American Water Spaniel moves with well-balanced reach
and drive. Watching a dog move toward one, there
should be no signs of elbows being out. Upon viewing
the dog from the rear, one should get the impression
that the hind legs, which should be well-muscled and
not cowhocked, move as nearly parallel as possible,
with hocks doing their full share of work and flexing
well, thus giving the appearance of power and
strength.
Temperament
Demeanor
indicates intelligence, eagerness to please and
friendly. Great energy and eagerness for the hunt yet
controllable in the field.
