American Water Spaniel

		American Water Spaniel
		FCI standard Nº 301

Origin		U.S.A.
Group		Group 8 Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs
Section		Section 3 Water Dogs
Working		With working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Friday 02 November 1979
Publication of the official valid standard		Tuesday 14 February 1995
Last update		Friday 22 January 1999
En français, cette race se dit		Chien d'eau américain
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Amerikanische Wasserspaniel
En español, esta raza se dice		Perro de Agua Americano
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Amerikaanse Water Spaniel

Usage

The American Water Spaniel was developed in the United States as an all-around hunting dog, bred to retrieve from skiff or canoes and work ground with relative ease.

General appearance

The American Water Spaniel is an active muscular dog, medium in size with a marcel to curly coat. Emphasis is placed on proper size and a symmetrical relationship of parts, texture of coat and colour. A solidly built and well-muscled dog full of strength and quality. The breed has as much substance and bone as necessary to carry the muscular structure but not so much as to appear clumsy.

Important proportions

Is slightly longer than tall, not too square or compact. However, exact proportion is not as important as the dog being well-balanced and sound, capable of performing the breed’s intended function.

Behaviour / temperament

Demeanor indicates intelligence, eagerness to please and friendly. Great energy and eagerness for the hunt yet controllable in the field.

Head
Cranial region
Head		The head must be in proportion to the overall dog. Moderate in length. Expression is alert, self-confident, attractive and intelligent.
Skull		Rather broad and full.
Stop		Moderately defined, but not too pronounced.

Facial region
Nose		Dark in colour, black or dark brown. The nose sufficiently wide and with well-developed nostrils to insure good scenting power.
Muzzle		Moderate in length, square with good depth. No inclination to snipiness.
Lips		Clean and tight without excess skin or flews.
Jaws and teeth		Either scissor or level bite.
Eyes		Medium size, set well apart, while slightly rounded, should not appear protruding or bulging. Lids tight, not drooping. Eye colour can range from a light yellowish brown to brown, hazel or dark tone to harmonize with coat. Disqualify yellow eyes. Yellow eyes are a bright colour like that of lemon, not to be confused with the light yellowish brown.
Ears		Set slightly above the eye line but not too high on the head, lobular, long and wide with leather extending to nose.

Neck

Round and of medium length, strong and muscular, free of throatiness, set to carry head with dignity, but arch not accentuated.

Body
Body		Well developed, sturdily constructed but not too compactly coupled.
Topline		Level or slight, straight slope from withers.
Loin		Strong.
Chest		Well-developed brisket extending to elbow neither too broad nor too narrow.
Ribs		The ribs well-sprung, but not so well-sprung that they interfere with the movement of the front assembly.
Side		Not showing tuck up.

Tail

Is moderate in length, curved in a rocker fashion, can be carried either slightly below or above the level of the back. The tail is tapered, lively and covered with hair with moderate feathering.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		Forelegs medium in length, straight and well-boned, but not so short as to handicap for field work or so heavy to appear clumsy.
Shoulders		Sloping, clean and muscular.
Pastern		Strong with no suggestion of weakness. Front dewclaws are permissible.

Hindquarters
Generality		The whole rear assembly shows strength and drive. Legs from hock joint to foot pad moderate in length, strong and straight with good bone structure. Hips well-developed.
Upper thigh		Well-developed.
Hock		Parallel. Slightly rounded, should not be small and sharp in contour, moderately angulated.

Feet

Size of feet to harmonize with size of dog. Toes closely grouped, webbed and well-padded.

Gait and movement

The American Water Spaniel moves with well-balanced reach and drive. Watching a dog move towards one, there should be no signs of elbows being out. Upon viewing the dog from the rear, one should get the impression that the hind legs, which should be well-muscled and not cowhocked, move as nearly parallel as possible, with hocks doing their full share of work and flexing well, thus giving the appearance of power and strength.

Coat
Hair		Coat can range from marcel (uniform waves) to closely curled. The amount of waves or curls can vary from one area to another on the dog. It is important to have undercoat to provide sufficient density to be of protection against weather, water or punishing cover, yet not too coarse or too soft. The throat, neck and rear of the dog well-covered with hair. The ear well-covered with hair on both sides with ear canal evident upon inspection. Forehead covered with short smooth hair and without topknot. Tail covered with hair to tip with moderate feathering. Legs have moderate feathering with waves or curls to harmonize with coat of dog. Coat may be trimmed to present a well-groomed appearance; the ears may be shaved; but neither is required.
Colour		Colour either solid liver, brown or dark chocolate. A little white on toes and chest permissible.

Size and weight
Height at withers		15 to 18 inches for either sex. Females tend to be slightly smaller than the males. There is no preference for size within the given range of either sex providing correct proportion, good substance and balance is maintained.
Weight		Males weighing 30-45 lbs. Females weighing 25-40 lbs.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Disqualifying faults

Aggresive or overly shy.

Yellow eyes.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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American Water Spaniel