Plate 101 · The Americas
American Water Spaniel
美国水猎犬
“Wisconsin's own small brown water dog.”
- Origin
- United States
- Fox and Wolf river valleys, Wisconsin
- Region of origin
- Developed along the Fox and Wolf rivers of Wisconsin; the marker is Wisconsin's reference point. It is Wisconsin's state dog.
- The point marks the region the breed comes from, not an exact birthplace.
- Era
- Probably 19th century
- Today
- Gun dog · Companion
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
History
01 · Origin
Fox and Wolf river valleys, Wisconsin
A compact brown spaniel from Wisconsin, small enough for a skiff, bred to hunt and retrieve on land and in cold water.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Flushing and retrieving waterfowl, grouse and prairie chicken for settlers who hunted for food.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
Probably from water spaniels, curly-coated retrievers and other dogs; its exact makeup is unknown. As numbers dwindled, Dr Fred J. Pfeifer of New London, Wisconsin, set up its club and standard.
04 · Today
Gun dog · Companion
A versatile hunting dog and a companion; still rare.
Personality
- Charming
- Eager
- Happy
- Companionable
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: the AKC’s trait scores as its breed page gives them (the AKC’s 1–5 guidance for owners, not a measurement). Other profiles here use editorial ratings, a different source, so compare across them with care.
- Exercise
- Needs ample exercise, ideally swimming or retrieving.
- Grooming
- Weekly brushing; the coat thins in summer.
- Training
- Eager to please and easy to train, though some are a little stubborn; it craves company and suits a home where someone is around.
Living with one
- Size
- Medium
- Lifespan
- 10–14 years
- Coat
- Dense, waterproof double coat, tightly curled or wavy, in shades of brown
Field note
It was bred to be small enough to ride in a hunter's skiff.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Sporting Group
- Also recognized by
- FCI (Group 8, standard 301), United Kennel Club
- Popular in
- No reliable data
AKC: Sporting Group, recognized 1940.
A scarce breed today. AKC registrations: ranked 176 among breeds in 2025.
Sources3 references
- American Water Spaniel — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-water-spaniel/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-14 · Registry status, group, size, life expectancy and registration rank; history as the AKC tells it. Ratings: the AKC's own 1–5 owner-guidance trait scores as the page gives them (energy level, trainability, barking level, openness to strangers, good with other dogs), not measurements.
- American Water Spaniel — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Water_Spaniel
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-14 · Fox and Wolf river origin, likely ancestors, Dr Fred J. Pfeifer's revival, state dog of Wisconsin.
- American Water Spaniel — FCI breed nomenclature — Fédération Cynologique Internationale
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/AMERICAN-WATER-SPANIEL-301.html
Kennel club · accessed 2026-10-14 · Country of origin United States; Group 8, section "Water Dogs"; accepted 1979.
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions. Location note: Developed along the Fox and Wolf rivers of Wisconsin; the marker is Wisconsin's reference point. It is Wisconsin's state dog.
