American Water Spaniel

An American Water Spaniel typically lives 10-14 years. The strongest levers on those years are buying from a breeder who screens parents' eyes, hips and heart, keeping the dog lean and well-exercised, and staying on top of ear and thyroid health. Cardiac disease is the most serious shortener in the breed, so a clear parental cardiac history and prompt investigation of any exercise intolerance materially affect the outcome.

Generally yes with their own family — they are affectionate, playful, sturdy and bonded to their household, which suits active families with children. The caveats are that some lines can be territorial or possessive of food, toys or people, and the breed is reserved with strangers. Early broad socialization, teaching children not to bother the dog while it eats or rests, and supervision with young children make this a good family dog rather than a guaranteed one.

A lot — this is a working gundog, not a companion spaniel. Plan at least 60 minutes of vigorous daily activity such as retrieving, swimming, running, hiking or fieldwork, plus training or scent games for mental work. The breed loves water and will swim at every chance. An under-exercised AWS is the breed's most common pet-home failure: it becomes barky, anxious and destructive. Energy met, it has a good off-switch indoors.

Moderate but specific. Brush the dense, oily, waterproof curly or wavy coat about weekly to prevent matting, with only light tidying — the coat is meant to look natural. Bathe sparingly, because over-bathing strips the protective oils the coat needs to work; the breed has a normal doggy odor that grooming, not constant washing, manages. The bigger ongoing task is the ears: the heavy drop ears must be checked, cleaned and dried, especially after swimming.

They are intelligent and capable but independent-minded and somewhat stubborn, so they are not effortless. They respond best to short, upbeat, reward-based sessions started in puppyhood and respond poorly to harsh or repetitive methods, which make them shut down. Their strong handler bond works in your favor if you make training cooperative. Recall and steadiness around birds and water take real work given the strong hunting drive, so build those deliberately rather than assuming them.

The breed has documented congenital cardiac disease, most notably pulmonic stenosis (a narrowing of the pulmonic valve), along with mitral valve disease and patent ductus arteriosus. These can show as a heart murmur, exercise intolerance, or fainting on exertion. It is screened in breeding stock by cardiac auscultation and echocardiogram, so ask for parental cardiac clearances, and have any unexplained exercise intolerance or collapse in your dog evaluated promptly rather than dismissed as unfitness.