Spanish Water Dog
Also known as Perro de agua español
- Height at the withers
- 40 to 50 cm
- Weight
- 14 to 22 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- Spain
- FCI group
- 8 · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- people bothered by dog hair (no breed is guaranteed allergy-free)
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
A hardy, medium-sized water dog with a distinctive curly, woolly coat, an athletic build and versatile working skills.
History and origins
An old all-purpose farm dog from the Iberian Peninsula, used for centuries in Spain to herd livestock, retrieve waterfowl for hunters and help fishermen. Nearly extinct, it was successfully restored by dedicated breeders.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd)
- Hypothyroidism
- Neuroaxonal dystrophy
- Addison’s disease
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, curly coat. Almost no shedding, average coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Easy, 4 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Shedding
- Almost none, 1 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Spanish Water Dog FAQ
How big does the Spanish Water Dog get?
The Spanish Water Dog stands 40 to 50 cm at the withers and weighs 14 to 22 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Spanish Water Dog shed a lot?
It sheds almost nothing and its coat needs average care. It is one of the breeds that shed very little and are often better tolerated by people with allergies, with no guarantee: spend time with the breed before you decide.
Can the Spanish Water Dog live in an apartment?
It can, as long as it gets real outings every day; a yard is still a plus.
How much exercise does the Spanish Water Dog need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Spanish Water Dog good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Spanish Water Dog live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.
