American Water Spaniels are a primitive breed and were actively "pack bred” through the early part of this century; in fact, some folks were still doing a form of pack breeding through the early 60’s.  AWS, up until the last few years, were not always bred with temperament or looks in mind, but rather one good hunting dog to another. This preserved the hunting instincts, but did not always obtain good, easy-going temperaments or particularly beautiful dogs.  

American Water Spaniels are smart, determined and often want to make their own decisions.  Understanding how a pack works will enable you to work with your AWS more easily.  They need to understand their place and who is the pack leader.  Most AWS will want to be the alpha dog.  The responsible owner must assume this position from day one and understand that, periodically, the second in line may want to test that.  Owners who submit to their AWS, even as young puppies, may find themselves with a problem later on.  

American Water Spaniels do well with children as long as the child either maintains his/her position in the pack or does not threaten the dog’s position.  AWS like to be with their leader and will strive to please him or her to the extent that it maintains its position or moves up.  They like to touch their leaders; it is not necessarily affection, but rather a combination of affection and pack behavior. They do best as a house dog to maintain the bond. 

Many people will tell you that AWS are natural hunters; they are, for themselves. You need to work with them from a fairly early age to establish a partnership.  AWS need to be treated fairly but firmly. They are smart and will get bored with repetition.  They tend to follow you around the house or yard to see and to be a part of what you are doing.  They do mature mentally more slowly than other sporting breeds; they get their independence i.e. the spaniel questing nature, at an early age, but tend not to take to more formal training until they are nine to eleven months old.  Many of the hunting breeds are considered “finished” at that age. 

AWS need lots of early socialization to learn that people are good.  If the puppy is left out in the kennel or only with other dogs in the early stages, it will bond to other dogs rather than to humans, and it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to win it back.  I do not believe that you can buy a “started” AWS.  AWS tend to be one person, or one-small-family dogs and usually do not work for other people.  They do not do well being moved from one family to another.  If you buy an older dog, you will have to work much harder with it.  Also keep in mind that the bitches are often harder to work with and tend to be the more aggressive in this breed. 

Lara A. Suessens, Wave Crest American Water Spaniels