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Spanish Water Dog Breed Summary
Intelligent, Obedient, Energetic, Calm and Gentle
Many experts debate the origins of the Spanish Water Dog, a breed not to be confused with the Portuguese Water Dog. The Spanish Water Dog is so highly debated because it is an ancient dog, living and working in Spain for well over 1,000 years. Most believe the Spanish Water Dog is a descendant of the Turkish Dog and spent a millennium developing in obscurity in the Andalusian region of Spain where it’s primary role was herding cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep. The Spanish Water Dog is very active, upbeat, and work-oriented. Despite a long history, this breed has only received recognition by the American Kennel Club in 2008 as a miscellaneous breed.
| Kennel Club Group | Miscellaneous |
| Lifespan | 10 – 14 years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males 17.5In - 20in, Female 16in - 18in |
| Weight | Males 40lb - 49lb Females 31lb - 40lb |
| Coat | Curly, Coiled Coat |
| Color | Black, Tan, Brown, White and Cream |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Common health issues | Hip Dysplasia, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency |
| Other Names | Perro de Agua Espanol, Turco Andaluz, Turkish Dog, Laneto |
The Spanish Water dog is a wonderful, obedient family dog that does well with children. As a herder, this breed will even try to herd the kids. Early socialization with people and other animals will help prevent protectiveness, but this dog should never exhibit any aggressive behaviors. The Spanish Water Dog is reserved around strangers but is not shy. The Spanish Water Dog is a loyal, high energy dog who does well with a work-oriented task. Make playtime fun for this dog with task-oriented play and make sure your Spanish Water Dog gets plenty of opportunities to exercise. This breed is highly intelligent, and an active mind and body will help keep your Spanish Water Dog in healthy condition. Their high intelligence and strong desire to please their people make the Spanish Water Dog easy to train. However, this breed needs a firm owner how can take charge and fill the role of pack leader. As such, this breed is not best suited for the novice dog owner.
The origins of the Spanish Water Dog are not clear, but many believe this breed is from an ancient line. Dogs recorded in the Iberian Peninsula, known as Perro Turco, were described in the 10th century as wooly-coated water dogs and believed to be of Asian descent coming in from Turkey and Hungary. Others believe the Spanish Water Dog’s ancestors arrived in Spain from Northern Africa via the Moors during the 8th century. Regardless of the actual origin of the Spanish Water Dog, this breed is considered the oldest of all the Water Dogs and developed in relative obscurity in the Andalusian region of Spain over a millennium. The breed name, the Spanish Water Dog, is more of a historical record than a modern-day description. Though the Spanish Water Dog is a capable water dog, his primary role is herding. However, this versatile dog is capable of water work, search and rescue, and hunting, in addition to its excellent herding skills. The Spanish Water Dog enjoyed a reclusive life in Andaluz, Spain before 1975. However, eager to establish this dog as a national breed for Spain, fanciers brought the Spanish Water Dog out of obscurity and introduced him to the world as a rare breed. In 1985, just ten years later, the Spanish Water Dog was recognized by the Real Sociedad Central de Fomento de Razas Caninas en Espana. The Spanish Water Dog was presented the American Kennel Club as a rare breed in 2000 and was recognized by the AKC Foundation Stock Service in 2005. In 2008, the breed was accepted into the miscellaneous breed category and then moved to the herding group in 2015 where it remains today.