Spanish Water Dog

The Spanish Water dog, also known as Perro de Agua Espanol was developed by Spanish shepherds to serve a variety of purposes. They were used as herders, assistants to fishermen and also as gun dogs. These dogs are popularly referred to as SWD’s.

These dogs are medium sized, robust and athletic. Their bodies are more long than tall. In the United States, their tails are typically docked. These dogs carry themselves quite elegantly. The skull is rather flat. The eye rims, nose and paw pads are typically darker than even the darkest part of the dogs’ coat. The eyes are set wide apart and very expressive. The eyes of this dog can be dark brown, hazel or chestnut brown and usually depends on the color of the coat. The ears are triangle shaped.

This breed has a distinct wooly coat and may form cords if allowed to grow too long. It is advisable not to trim or groom the coat for purely aesthetic reasons. Rather, it is better to let the coat grow out naturally and sheared once every year. When SWD puppies are born they almost always have curly coats. This breed sports a variety of colors in their coats. They could be brown. black, beige, white or even bicolor.

The Spanish Water Dog can grow to a height of 17-20 inches (44-50 cm) and can weigh between 18-20 kg (40-49 pounds). Females are slightly smaller but fall within the same average range. These dogs are affectionate, intelligent and loyal companions. The are natural herders and guard dogs. They need plenty of work and play to keep them healthy and happy. These dogs respond well to training and can be trained to perform a variety of tasks. They adjust well to being around children and to strangers, but need to be properly trained and socialized from a young age.

These dogs do not require a lot of grooming but it is important to remember that these dogs should not be brushed. As the coat grows, owners should check for matting. Mats should be gently detangled without tearing the hair. In case of too much matting, the dog will need to be sheared. Bathing should only be done in lukewarm water and only when absolutely necessary. The dog should be allowed to air dry. As with most dogs, eyes and ears need to be cleaned regularly and nails should also be trimmed. In case of puppies, the first nail trim can occur at 6 months of age.

These dogs are commonly afflicted by hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. Some other ailments not found as commonly are cataracts, allergies and Addison’s Disease, in which the adrenal glands are unable to produce enough steroid hormones.

SWD’s are known by different nicknames, such as Andalusian Turk, Perro Turco, Perro de Lanas, and Churro. Their exact origins are unknown, however, it is speculated that these dogs might have descended from wooly coated Shepherd Dogs found on the Iberian Peninsula in around 1100 AD.