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Reprinted with permission from New York State Conservationist (October 2008)

American Water Spaniel

"People have guessed poodle mix, cocker mix, even labradoodle," Gerda Smith of Penn Yan, N.Y, says about her American water spaniels. This compact breed, of which there are only about 3,000 in existence, is small compared to most bird dogs and is covered in crisp, dark chocolate curls. Despite its size, Gerda maintains that this little-known breed “does it all”  from rabbits and grouse to ducks and geese.

“It doesn’t seem possible that a small dog like this can handle a goose, but actually they can,” says Gerda. “Water spaniels are very powerful dogs and have such a desire to retrieve birds that they won’t give up until the bird is in their possession. If Twist, my first water spaniel, gets bit by a goose, it just brings up his desire to bring the bird back even more. At 10 years old and 42 pounds, Twist picks up geese with no problem.”

Water Spaniels are just as talented on upland game. Gerda says that’ because they have a great nose that hasn’t been meddled with by breeding for the show ring. That, in addition to her husband Bill’s desire for a smaller dog to pull into the duck boat, was a big factor in choosing water spaniels.

Tenacity is built into the breed. In the mid-1800s, before waterfowl conservation laws existed, Midwestern market hunters used huge, ten-foot-long “punt guns” to kill as many as 100 ducks at a time for big-city markets. The dogs they used to retrieve them had to be tough, independent and tireless.

Twist is all that and more. Besides being Gerda’s “best buddy,” every year Twist helps out with the Middlesex Conservation Club’s Youth Pheasant Hunt. Gerda says, “He has flushed and retrieved hundreds of birds for the youth over the years.”

Bringing out the best in the water spaniel takes experience and finesse. “You need to train them without a lot of pressure. If they are pushed too hard, it takes away their heart and the merry little attitude they are known for. If you make training fun, they will give you all they can.”

Size: 15-18 inches at the shoulder; 25-45 pounds
Coat: Marcelled (uniform waves) or close curls
Color: Brown
Grooming: Regular brushing
For more info: www.americanwaterspanielclub.org