American Water Spaniel

Also called the little brown dog, the American Water Spaniel has its origins around the middle of the 19th century in the Midwest, in the state of Wisconsin. It is the creation of market hunters who needed a medium-sized dog that would not tip over their skiffs and canoes in the lakes, rivers, and marshes where they used them. Unfortunately, these hunters did not record the original crosses. Because of the lack of documentation, the origin of the breed remains a mystery. Some sources say that the first water spaniels arrived in America on the Mayflower; others claim they arrived earlier. It is possible these were the extinct Tweed Spaniels or English Water Dogs, but documentation does not exist. What is certain is that documents and photographs show that the form of the American Brown Spaniel, as it was called at the time, was well established by 1870. There are now two approaches to the origins of the American Water Spaniel. One says it is the product of a cross between the Curly-Coated Retriever with the Field Spaniel and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. This version cannot be accurate since the Field Spaniel did not distinguish itself from the Cocker Spaniel (English or American) until the 1880s. The other version says that the little brown dog is the product of a cross between the English Water Spaniel with the Curly-Coated Retriever and, perhaps, the Irish Water Spaniel and the Chesapeake. This version is perhaps more accurate, but it must also be mentioned that Doc Pfeiffer claims he did not see the influence of the Irish Water Spaniel until after 1920. F. J. Pfeiffer, of New London, Wisconsin, was the first to systematically breed the American Water Spaniel. He said he acquired his first dog in 1894. He recognized it as a distinct breed. It was Doc Pfeiffer who maintained a registry and was primarily responsible for the standard adopted by the United Kennel Club in 1920. The main canine society of the United States, the American Kennel Club (AKC), adopted the standard in 1940. After significant modifications to the breed during the 1970s, the AKC adopted a new standard in 1990. This is the same standard adopted by the French Kennel Club. The breed reached the peak of its popularity around 1920. Today, even in the United States, it is rare to see one outside of Wisconsin or Minnesota. There are only about twenty breeders in the United States, two or three in Canada, and perhaps two in Europe. The main breed club estimates there are only 3,000 specimens (see American Water Spaniel Club below). The AKC reported registration of 34 litters in 2006 and 53 in 2005. As of 2016, Sophie and Blanche de La Ferté-Sénectère introduced to France the first 3 American Water Spaniels from the major American kennel "Little Brownies Kennel" belonging to Paul Morrison: Little Brownies Lucrezia born in 2015, then Little Brownies N'Gaston born in 2017 and finally Little Brownies Paris born in 2019. By early 2021, around twenty American Water Spaniels were registered in France with the SCC. The dogs introduced to France proved to be wonderful hunting dogs both as game flushing dogs and as retrievers on land and in water. Two of the first puppies born in France went on to be trained for animal therapy. Little Brownies N'Gaston and Little Brownies Paris became excellent truffle dogs. Gaston with training and Paris finds truffles naturally.

The American Water Spaniel is active, affectionate, and intelligent. It has the energy to hunt all day, but it adapts well to city living. Training the American Water Spaniel must take into account its gentle character. It desires to please its owner and learns quickly, but it bores easily. A meticulous hunter, the little brown dog is not a specialist. It hunts upland game, such as Canada geese or quail, as well as furred game, such as rabbits or squirrels. It is effective as a flusher and retriever but it does not surpass either spaniels or retrievers in these categories. This is perhaps why breed experts are not in agreement about its classification. Is it a flusher that hunts like a spaniel or is it a retriever? For a long time, this question has been at the center of controversy within breed associations. Recently, the main club settled a compromise by which the American Kennel Club gives the American Water Spaniel a dual classification, a situation that is almost unique among the 157 breeds recognized by the American association. The American Water Spaniel makes an ideal companion, but care must be taken to socialize it well at a young age. It loves children and normally tolerates other dogs well.

The breed standard indicates a dog of medium size, solid, and well-balanced. The most remarkable characteristic of the American Water Spaniel is its coat. On its body, its coat can be wavy or curly; on its muzzle and front legs it is short. The English standard uses the word "marcel" to describe the wavy coat of this breed. This is a reference to the hairstyles of young women in the early 20th century. It has an undercoat that allows it to withstand cold water and the extreme Wisconsin winter. Its color ranges from dark red-brown to brown to dark chocolate and it is normal to encounter specimens that have all these variations. A little white on the chest and paws is tolerated. It is never clipped because its coat does not grow continuously. The standard notes a height of 38 to 46 cm and a weight of 11.5 to 20.5 kg, but it is not uncommon to see males of 50 cm and 23 kg. This is not a disqualifying fault. Yellow eyes are the only disqualifying characteristic.