Grooming
A Spanish Water Dog’s grooming needs are surprisingly easy—even with all that hair, they rarely have a bad hair day. In fact, you should never brush this low-shedding dog. (We know—we could barely believe it either!) As their curly coat grows, they’ll naturally form cords that look like dreadlocks. Check for tangles and ease them apart by hand to avoid matting. But matting is usually inevitable—once a year, have a professional groomer shear their coat to an inch all over their body to remove the mats.
Spanish Water Dogs shouldn’t be bathed more than once a month, and when you do bathe them, use a mild shampoo. Afterwards, it’s best to let these pups dry naturally. Just blot their fur gently with a towel before letting them air dry. (You can let them wait it out in their crate to avoid letting them leave damp spots on your floor or furniture.)
Like most dogs who love the outdoors and water, Spanish Water Dogs are prone to ear infections, so check their ears regularly for redness, swelling and debris. If you see anything unusual, contact your vet, who may advise you to clean their ears.
Their teeth need daily brushing with a proper toothbrush and flavored doggie toothpaste. (It’s best to start from puppyhood, to help them get used to having their teeth brushed early.) Finally, keep their teeth in top form and avoid infections with annual teeth cleanings at the vet.
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Training
Training a Spanish Water Dog can be fun—if you’re willing to put in the work. These pups are intelligent and eager to please, but they can also be cheeky and are known to challenge commands. Confidence, consistency and patience are all essential for pet parents who are up to the task, so it’s helpful to have experience training dogs before you add an Spanish Water Dog to your family.
Be sure you teach your pup the basics of obedience, like sit, stay and come and how to walk nicely on a leash. These dogs love solving problems, and learning new tricks and commands scratch that itch. So, be sure to teach them fun commands, like shake, play dead and roll over, and use positive reinforcement techniques—praise, treats and playtimes with fun toys—as rewards for their efforts.
Spanish Water Dogs need socialization, or exposure to all kinds of people and social scenarios, early on in their lives—it helps to curb their natural herding instincts and tendency to shy away from strangers. So yes, do bring your pet along while running errands, exploring the neighborhood and during your workout in the park. Before you know it, your Spanish Water Dog will be happily greeting new friends.
Ultimately, successful training depends on an individual Spanish Water Dog’s personality and their pet parent’s confidence level. If, after your best efforts at training, your dog still wants to test boundaries, invest in a certified trainer or behaviorist and keep at it.
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Diet
Spanish Water Dogs typically do well on a diet of high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s stage in life (puppy, adult or senior) when choosing what to feed them.
Spanish Water Dogs are always on the move, but it’s still important to keep an eye on their portion size when feeding them. Even with high-energy, active breeds like the Spanish Water Dog, weight can quickly pile on when meals or treats aren’t monitored adequately. Even an extra pound or two can lead to health problems, like heart disease. If you notice your pup’s gaining extra weight, chat with your vet. They can recommend an exercise and diet plan to help your pup lose the extra weight and still maintain their nutritional needs.
Concerned about feeding your pup the right stuff? Consult with your veterinarian. They’re in the best position to advise you about your dog’s unique dietary needs.
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Exercise
Some dogs could live in a shoebox and be perfectly content. The Spanish Water Dog is not one of those breeds. This active, multi-purpose dog is only a few generations removed from farm life, and they still feel the need for to show off their speed and agility. They’re happiest when exercised often and given plenty of activities and mental stimulation games, so plan on about an hour of activity every day.
Back in the day, this rustic breed could, among other tasks, herd farm animals, retrieve fowl and catch fish fallen from fishing boats. So, saying they are versatile is a bit of an understatement. For an Spanish Water Dog, alternating between mountain hiking, fetching in a lake and running in the park is right up their alley.
Naturally, this pup is perfect for pet parents interested in dog sports (they’re amazing at agility and rally). But despite their boundless energy, they can easily switch gears to enjoy quiet time at home.
Special care is needed to keep eager Spanish Water Dog puppies from hurting themselves or becoming overworked while their bones and joints are growing. Avoid strenuous activities, like running or competitions, until they’re fully mature, around 2 years old. Be sure to check in with your vet before starting new activities to make sure your pup’s physically ready for the new endeavor.
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Environment
The ideal pet parent for a Spanish Water Dog is one with a very active lifestyle—and we do mean very active, as in someone who hikes 20 miles for fun. Prospective Spanish Water Dog parents should also have a strong commitment to training their dog. Bonus points if you’re interested in competitive dog sports, as this athletic pup excels at many tasks.
These pups aren’t naturally social, so raising a Spanish Water Dog puppy with kids and other pets starts getting them used to being around others. Their playful nature makes them a good playmate for kids, but always be sure to supervise playtimes with kids and your dog. Not only will these medium-sized pups accidentally knock over smaller children during play, these are herding dogs, so without proper training, they’re likely to want to herd kids (and may nip to get them where your dog wants them to go).
These sturdy dogs were bred to enjoy both hot and cold climates. And though Spanish Water Dogs can adapt to small apartments or homes, they’ll need lots of space to move around. A home with a big yard or nearby large outdoor spaces—preferably near water—suits them best.
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