Dog breeds / Spanish Water Dog
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Dog breed
Spanish Water Dog
The Spanish Water Dog is a working breed from the Andalusian coast, bred to herd livestock and retrieve from water. At home it is attentive, eager to please, and tends to bond closely with its family, sometimes staying near the person it trusts most. It is usually patient with children it knows well and can get along with other pets when introduced sensibly, though it may try to herd running kids or small animals.
Day to day, this is a dog that wants a job. It needs daily walks, time to sniff and explore, and regular games or training that engage its mind, since boredom can show up as chewing or restlessness. Its curly coat needs consistent brushing to prevent matting, and it does best with an owner who enjoys an active, involved routine.
Good for: Active owners who want an engaged, trainable companion
| Size | medium |
| Weight | 31–49 lb |
| Height | 16–20 in |
| Exercise | about 75 min a day |
| Shedding | low |
This is an intelligent, high-drive working dog, so it needs consistent training and daily mental work to stay calm and well behaved.
Living with a Spanish Water Dog
Exercise
Plan on about an hour or more of walking and active play each day, plus mental work like training or scent games. A securely fenced yard helps but does not replace time with the owner.
Grooming
The dense, curly coat sheds very little but mats easily, so brushing several times a week is important. Trims every couple of months and occasional bathing keep it manageable.
Health
The breed can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, and some lines are affected by progressive retinal atrophy and other inherited eye conditions. Ask a vet about health screening for the parents of any puppy you consider.
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Elbow dysplasia
Known tendencies, not a diagnosis: ask your vet about this breed.
The numbers for a Spanish Water Dog
Feeding, adult
2.5–3.25 cups a day
About 979 kcal, roughly 18 lb of dry food a month at 31–49 lb. Start here and adjust to the bag and your vet. Portion calculator →
What a year costs
$1,800–$3,100
Food about $720, plus routine vet care, parasite preventives and gear. US averages; insurance and emergencies on top.
Weather
Watch above 75°F, stop at 85°F
Coat or short walks below 32°F. Comfortable in most weather: watch pavement heat above 85°F and add a coat below freezing if the coat is short.
Right now
Latest dog food recalls
Aunt Millie s Bakehouse Whole Grain White Hot Dog Buns 6" Sliced 2 OUNCE. 12 unlabeled 12CT PKGS per sale unit case, product code 7502. Net. Wt. 18lbs.
Perfection Bakeries LLC · Sep 13 · Undeclared sesame
Breadman Brioche products in plastic bags: Brioche Toast, 2 lb. (1 loaf/bag), Brioche Buns, 40oz (10 buns/bag), Brioche Sliders, 50oz (25 sliders/bag), Brioche Hot Dog, 40oz (10 buns/bag)
Breadbox Co. · May 16 · Undeclared Yellow No. 5
Our Family White Hot Dog Enriched Buns, 8 count 12oz. retail unit UPC 0-70253-75107-3
Perfection Bakeries LLC · Mar 21 · undeclared sesame
Questions owners ask
Do Spanish Water Dogs shed?
They shed very little because of their curly, non-shedding coat. However, the hair does not fall out on its own, so it must be brushed and trimmed regularly to prevent mats and tangles.
Can a Spanish Water Dog live in an apartment?
It can, but only with a committed owner who provides daily walks, play, and training. Without enough activity, this energetic breed may become restless or destructive indoors.
Do Spanish Water Dogs bark a lot?
They are alert and may bark to announce visitors or activity, but they are not typically excessive barkers. Consistent training helps keep barking under control.
Good picks for a Spanish Water Dog
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