Spanish Water dog

FCI standard Nº 336

Origin
Spain
Translation
Mrs. Peggy Davis
Revised by the FCI Head Office
Official language (ES)
Group
Group 8 Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs
Section
Section 3 Water Dogs
Working
Working trial optional.
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
Sunday 30 May 1999
Publication of the official valid standard
Tuesday 01 October 2019
Last update
Friday 11 October 2019
En français, cette race se dit
Chien d'eau espagnol
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
Spanischer Wasserhund
En español, esta raza se dice
Perro de Agua Español
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
Spaanse Water Hond

Usage

Used as shepherd dog, hunting dog and assistant to the fisherman.

Brief historical summary

The presence of this dog in the Iberian Peninsula is most ancient. His origin is the same like that of the old « Barbet ». His most dense population is in Andalusia where he is used as a shepherd dog, and where he has been known for centuries as the « Turkish dog ». His characteristics, most particularly the quality of his coat, are adapted to the variation of humidity and drought of the marshy regions, which qualifies him as a shepherd dog and as a helper to the hunters of waterfowl and fishermen in those regions.

General appearance

Rustic dog, well proportioned (medium weight), dolichocephalic, of rather elongated harmonious shape and attractive appearance, of an athletic nature with well developed muscles owing to his regular exercise; the profile is rectilinear; his sight, hearing and scent are well developed.

Important proportions

- Length of body / size (height at withers) = 9 / 8.
- Depth of chest / size (height at withers) = 4 / 8.
- Length of muzzle / length of skull = 2 / 3.

Behaviour / temperament

Faithful, obedient, gay, hard working, watchful and well balanced. Learning ability is outstanding owing to his extraordinary mental grasp; he adapts to all situations and conditions.

Head

Cranial region

Head
Strong, carried with elegance.
Skull
Flat with only slightly marked occipital crest. Axes of skull and muzzle parallel. 
Stop
Facial-cranial depression gentle, only slightly marked.

Facial region

Foreface
Profile is rectilinear.
Nose
Nostrils well defined. Nose is of the same colour or slightly darker than the darkest tone of the coat.
Lips
Well fitting; labial corners well defined.
Jaws and teeth
Well formed, white, with well developed canines.
Eyes
Slightly oblique position, very expressive; of a hazel to chestnut colour, should harmonize with the colour of the coat. The conjunctiva is not apparent.
Ears
Set at medium height, triangular and drooping.

Neck

Short, well muscled, without dewlap, well set into the shoulders.

Body

Body
Robust.
Topline
Straight.
Withers
Hardly marked.
Back
Straight and powerful.
Croup
Slightly sloping.
Chest
Broad and well let down - ribs well arched; diameter of thorax ample indicating considerable respiratory capacity.
Underline and belly
Belly slightly tucked up.

Tail

Set at medium height. Docking must be done at the height of the 2nd to the 4th caudal vertebra.
Certain subjects show a congenital shortened tail (brachyouria).

Limbs

Forequarters

Generality
Strong and vertical.
Shoulders
Well muscled and oblique.
Upper arm
Sturdy.
Elbows
Close to the chest and parallel.
Forearm
Straight and sturdy.
Carpal
Straight, rather short.

Hindquarters

Generality
Perfectly vertical with not too pronounced angulations and muscles capable of transmitting to the body a very energetic impulsion and the spring necessary for easy and elegant jumping.
Upper thigh
Long and well muscled.
Lower thigh
Well developed.
Metatarsus
Short, lean and perpendicular to the ground.
Hock
Well let down.

Feet

Rounded, toes tight, nails of varied colours; resistant pads.

Gait and movement

The preferred gait is the trot.

Skin

Supple, fine and well adhering to the body. Can be pigmented brown or black, or be without pigment according to the colour of the coat. The same applies to the mucous membranes.

Coat

Hair
Always curly and of a woolly texture. Curly when short, can form cords when long. Clipped subjects are admitted; the clipping, always complete and even, must never become an « aesthetic » grooming.
The recommanded maximum length of the hair for shows is 12 cm (15 cm extending the curl) and the minimum is 3 cm to see the quality of the curl.
The puppies always are born with curly hair.
Colour
• Solid : White, black and chestnut in their different shades.
• Bicoloured : White and black or white and brown in their different shades.
Tricoloured subjects, and black and tan as well as hazelnut and tan dogs are not admitted.

Size and weight

Height at withers
Males 44 to 50 cm, females 40 to 46 cm. 2 cm maximum deviation are admitted in both sexes whenever the subject maintains balance according to his height at withers.
Weight
Males 18 - 22 kg, females 14 - 18 kg.

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.

Serious faults

 Dorso-lumbar region distinctly saddle-backed.
 Limbs incorrect.
 Belly let down or excessively tucked up.

Disqualifying faults

 Aggresive or overly shy.
 Inferior or superior prognathism.
 Presence of dewclaws.
 Smooth or wavy coat.
 Albinism.
 Spotty or flecked coat, black and tan or chestnut and tan coat.
 Lack of balance in character.

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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