Spanish Water Dog: Your Complete Guide

The Spanish water dog. While they may not look like it, they’re one of Europe’s ultimate working dog breeds. These dogs were utilized not only as waterfowl retrievers, but also as sheepherders, family companions, and watchdogs. They are highly capable dogs that can traverse different types of terrain, from mountains to marshes to even deserts.

That said, the Spanish water dogs we have today aren’t commonly utilized as working dogs. They are usually kept as family companions, favored for their affectionate temperament, loyalty, and hypoallergenic coat. Although somewhat uncommon, Spanish water dogs also make excellent service animals for a variety of disabilities, and of course, therapy and emotional support dogs.

There’s a lot to cover with a breed like the Spanish water dog. Continue reading as we take an in-depth look at the Spanish water dog’s personality, physical traits, family life, health, grooming needs, trainability, and more.

Quick Look at the Spanish Water Dog

Below is a quick glance at the Spanish water dog and a summary of what we will discuss in this breed guide.

Weight/Height	30-50 pounds / 16-20 inches
Coat Type	Medium-length corded/curly coat
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Temperament	Energetic, playful, affectionate, work-oriented
Good With Kids
Good With Other Animals
Intelligence
Easy to Train
Energy Level
Barking Habits
Lifespan	12-14 years

What Is the History of Spanish Water Dogs?

Spanish water dogs have long been utilized in the Iberian Peninsula for a variety of purposes, including herding livestock, assisting fishermen, and, most importantly, water retrieval. The exact origins of this breed are unknown, with theories speculating that they were brought from North Africa, whereas others indicate that it was Turkish traders who brought the ancestors of the modern-day Spanish water dog to the Iberian Peninsula.

Regardless of their early history, the Spanish water dog as we know it today has been present in the Iberian Peninsula for hundreds of years. However, the American Kennel Club, mainly due to the breed’s rarity, didn’t officially recognize the Spanish water dog until 2015.

Today, the Spanish water dog is very few in numbers, not just in the United States, but also in Europe. There’s a sizable population still in Spain and Portugal, but it is nowhere near enough to be classified as popular.

What Do Spanish Water Dogs Look Like?

The Spanish water dog has a wide range of coat color potentials, but is mainly a mix of black, brown, white, and beige. The recognized colors of this breed include black, brown, brown and white, black and white, and beige and white. According to the Spanish water dog breed standards, tricolor coats and any coat that doesn’t have white are considered to be faults.

Spanish water dogs can also have tan points across the coat, particularly around the eyebrows, cheeks, lower legs, under the tail, and small parts of the chest. These are also seen as faults, but are quite common in many Spanish water dogs.

What Size Is a Spanish Water Dog?

The Spanish water dog is overall a medium-sized breed, though they are a little on the bigger end of the scale. Male Spanish water dogs weigh 40 to 50 pounds, and females are between 30 and 40 pounds. In terms of height, males are taller at 18 to 20 inches, and females are about 16 to 18 inches.

What Is a Spanish Water Dog’s Coat Type and Length?

One of the most distinctive features of the Spanish water dog is their coat. They have woolly and curly single coats that form natural curls or cords. They shouldn’t be brushed in the traditional sense; their coat should be left on its own to form curls/cords naturally. Owners can help the process by separating thick clumps gently if needed.

However, the Spanish water dog’s coat doesn’t grow as much as the Komondor’s. It is medium in length and tends to develop much more individual curls/cords.

What Is a Spanish Water Dog’s Temperament?

The Spanish water dog has many of the temperament traits you would expect from a working dog that doubled as a family companion throughout the centuries. They are focused, loyal, and work-oriented, but also just as affectionate and playful. These dogs are also friendly and don’t take much effort to socialize to ensure they are confident when other dogs or strangers are present.

Here’s more on the Spanish water dog’s temperament to help you learn more about the overall personality and individual quirks of this breed.

Are Spanish Water Dogs Good With Kids?

Spanish water dogs are generally good with kids, especially active kids who can keep up with their energetic nature, all while understanding respectful interactions. With their medium-size, even a standard backyard affords a lot of space to a Spanish water dog and kids to play for hours.

They are undoubtedly great with kids, but supervision is still essential. Some Spanish water dogs have some herding instincts that may make them try to control the movement of kids or nip at their ankles. Spanish water dogs may do these instinctively, but it is possible to teach them not to by rewarding calm, controlled play consistently.

Are Spanish Water Dogs Good With Other Animals?

Any well-socialized Spanish water dog will do fine with other dogs in the family, especially when raised together. The medium-size of this breed makes them adaptable to households with dogs of all sizes, though they pair best with similarly energetic dogs rather than any particular size. Spanish water dogs are also typically easygoing when it comes to their interactions with unfamiliar dogs they meet during walks.

They don’t have much prey drive, so they can be accepting of smaller household pets like rabbits, rodents, and birds. However, early introduction plays a critical role in this; the earlier you introduce a Spanish water dog to other pets, the better. The first interactions should be controlled, especially when your Spanish water dog is still a puppy, when they tend to be hyper the most.

Are Spanish Water Dogs Aggressive?

Spanish water dogs may pack a lot of energy and drive, but they aren’t inherently aggressive. They aren’t as easygoing as golden retrievers, but they warm up to strangers more quickly than many other dog breeds. With their temperament and desire to work, Spanish water dogs can be prone to reactivity, especially if they don’t get enough early socialization.

However, the barking, lunging, and pulling on the leash that comes with reactivity shouldn’t be mistaken for aggression. Fixing reactivity is different from training a dog to be non-aggressive. If your Spanish water dog displays reactive behaviors, you will need to address them accordingly. We have an online course on addressing reactivity that can help you in these instances.

Do Spanish Water Dogs Bark?

Spanish water dogs are moderately vocal. They generally bark to speak their minds or to alert their owners. Some may also bark a bit more than average during playtime and when excited.

Barking isn’t a problem for most Spanish water dogs, but it can be if they don’t get enough exercise or mental stimulation. Excessive barking due to a lack of exercise is nearly impossible to fix with energetic breeds like the Spanish water dog. Basically, if a Spanish water dog barks because they aren’t getting adequate exercise, no amount of training to fix excessive barking will help, as the root cause is something else.

Are Spanish Water Dogs Affectionate?

Spanish water dogs are highly affectionate family-oriented dogs. It is one of their defining traits that made them revered companions across the Iberian Peninsula. They would work all day tirelessly and still stay near and involved in whatever their family is up to. Needless to say, Spanish water dogs enjoy receiving pets, cuddles, and any form of physical closeness they can get.

However, possibly thanks to their working dog origins, Spanish water dogs know when to be independent. They aren’t overly clingy like many companion breeds. The risk of developing separation anxiety is also very minimal with Spanish water dogs, though it can happen, the same as any other dog breed, if they don’t get enough opportunities to be on their own as a puppy.

Are Spanish Water Dogs Intelligent?

Spanish water dogs are highly intelligent canines, especially when it comes to practical, working intelligence. After all, they weren’t utilized for a wide range of jobs for nothing; the intelligence of this breed is the reason behind their versatility. They can identify and solve problems and take guidance at the same time, making them extremely capable dogs that can learn almost anything you would teach a dog.

In today’s world, this also means a dog that requires a lot of mental enrichment. In fact, this is one of the most important things to consider if you’re planning on getting a Spanish water dog. Mental stimulation is just as important as any other essential care needs of this breed. Without it, they are bound to engage in destructive acts and develop a wide array of behavioral issues. Take note of this before getting a Spanish water dog.

Are Spanish Water Dogs Energetic?

The Spanish water dog is one of the most energetic dog breeds out there. Anyone planning to get this dog must be ready to spend up to two hours a day providing the physical exercise and mental enrichment these dogs need. If you lead an active life and would be happy to have a dog to accompany you on outdoor adventures, you will find the Spanish water dog to be the perfect match for you.

Similar to what we’ve covered about mental stimulation, a lack of exercise can lead to behavioral issues that are challenging to manage and address in Spanish water dogs. Be sure that there’s a lifestyle alignment before getting one of these dogs. They are certainly not the right match for those who want a moderately active dog, let alone a couch potato.

Are Spanish Water Dogs Easy to Train?

Spanish water dogs are generally easy to train thanks to their intelligent and work-oriented nature. They can learn basic commands and skills in a matter of just a few weeks and tackle complex training challenges without much effort. 

One of the best ways to meet the Spanish water dog’s physical, mental, and training needs is to give them a job to do. When Spanish water dogs are trained for a specific job, like search and rescue, service dog work, or detection, you will have a hard-working dog that lives for their trained tasks. This makes the Spanish water dog an ideal breed for those who are serious about dog training.

At Dog Academy, we can help you train your dog with the help of our video lessons developed by AKC-certified professional trainers. Browse our top dog training courses to find all the materials you’ll need for training your dog for basic obedience, puppy training, crate training, tricks, behavior modification, and more.

Are Spanish Water Dogs Good Watchdogs?

Whether or not a Spanish water dog is a good watchdog is all about individual temperament. While some are protective and alert, others are just love bugs that wag their tails at anyone and everyone. If you need a dog to take on watchdog duties, it is best to look for another breed. However, if you’re set on the Spanish water dog, pay attention to this during puppy selection to make an educated guess on your dog’s temperament regarding this.

Are Spanish Water Dogs Good Service Dogs?

Spanish water dogs overall make one of the best service dogs. They are ideal for any service dog work suited for medium-sized dogs, such as a psychiatric service dog, hearing assistance dog, or guide dog. With their affectionate temperament and sociable side, Spanish water dogs also make great emotional support animals for psychiatric disabilities and therapy dogs.

How to Care for a Spanish Water Dog?

The Spanish water dog’s care needs aren’t just limited to training, socialization, and exercise. They also have some basic care needs like every other dog. Here’s an overview of caring for a Spanish water dog.

Do You Need to Groom a Spanish Water Dog?

The Spanish water dog has some unique grooming needs. The coat of this breed shouldn’t be brushed or combed. Otherwise, it will create frizz and even risk damaging the coat. Instead, the coat should be left to curl and separate naturally. You can help this process by gently separating thick clumps by hand without using any tools.

The Spanish water dog’s grooming needs don’t end there; they should have their entire coat clipped evenly about one to three times a year, depending on how long you want to keep it. While this can be a challenge, they don’t require any shaping or styling, so it’s less time-consuming than giving a haircut to a standard poodle, for example. 

The basic grooming needs of Spanish water dogs shouldn’t be skipped. They also need nail trimming, dental care, and ear cleaning like every other dog. Given that you won’t need to take a Spanish water dog to a professional grooming salon often, you can meet their grooming needs at home. Our General Canine Grooming Course covers everything about dog grooming to help you save costs and bond with your dog.

Do Spanish Water Dogs Shed?

Spanish water dogs have single coats, so they can be considered hypoallergenic. Their coat, which curls up or cords gradually, also traps dead hair and dander, which further contributes to their hypoallergenic nature. With these traits, Spanish water dogs are overall a great choice for people with pet allergies.

What Health Problems Do Spanish Water Dogs Have?

Spanish water dogs are overall healthy dogs that have a risk of developing very few canine health issues. Two of the most common health problems seen in Spanish water dogs are hip dysplasia and eye problems, most notably, progressive retinal atrophy. 

While these can be hereditary, Spanish water dogs are also prone to developing periodontal disease and ear infections. These may not seem as serious at first, but they can lead to major health issues down the road. The best preventative action owners can take against these is brushing their teeth daily and cleaning their ears every ten days or so.

How Long Do Spanish Water Dogs Live?

The Spanish water dog’s lifespan is 12 to 14 years on average. With routine vet visits and the best care possible, you can help your Spanish water dog live even longer. There are many Spanish water dogs that live past 15 with perfect health for the majority of their life.

What Should a Spanish Water Dog Eat?

Spanish water dogs must eat a diet that supports their activity levels and lifestyle. They shouldn’t be on a diet that’s formulated for medium-energy breeds. These dogs require a lot of calories packed with protein to sustain their energy levels and repair their muscles. 

Generally, commercial dog food designed for active breeds is ideal for most Spanish water dogs. They can also do well on homemade or raw diets, but these must be formulated specifically for this breed and their lifestyle. If you’re unsure about what to feed your Spanish water dog, consult your veterinarian or an animal nutritionist. They can help you pick the right diet after examining their health and evaluating their lifestyle.

Is a Spanish Water Dog the Right Dog for Me?

The Spanish water dog is a high-energy breed with intense exercise, mental stimulation, and training requirements. They need someone who can put them at the center of their lives, especially in the first two years. Even though their coat doesn’t require much care and they are overall healthy dogs, the amount of involvement in terms of training, socialization, and exercise makes the Spanish water dog a high-maintenance dog.

If you have the resources available to raise a dog like the Spanish water dog and can provide an outlet for their work-oriented nature, having one of these dogs can be a rewarding experience like no other. It all comes down to your willingness to put in the time and effort required by a Spanish water dog. If not, you will undoubtedly find the Spanish water dog to be a little too much.