Spanish Water Dog — breed guide
A Spanish herder-and-fisherman's dog whose coat is shorn once a year like a sheep and never combed in between.
At a glance
- Group
- sporting
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 14–22 kg (31–49 lb)
- Life span
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Woolly, naturally curling coat that cords if left; never brushed
Living with a Spanish Water Dog
- Very high energy — built for work and long days out.
- Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
- Barely sheds.
- Quick to learn.
- Vocal when there is a reason.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Handles warm weather well.
- Average cold tolerance.
Temperament
Diligent · Loyal · Wary of strangers · Tireless
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Hypothyroidism
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Spanish Water Dog good with kids?
Generally yes. Spanish Water Dogs are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Spanish Water Dog good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Spanish Water Dog need?
Hours — this breed needs a job or a long day out.
Can a Spanish Water Dog handle hot weather?
It copes well with warm days.
Leash Life keeps a Spanish Water Dog's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.