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Physical Characteristics of the American Water Spaniel

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Must be in proportion to the overall dog. Moderate in length.

Skull: Rather broad and full, stop moderately defined, but not too pronounced.

Eyes: Set well apart, while slightly rounded, should not appear protruding or bulging. Lids tight, not drooping. Eye color can range from a light yellowish brown to brown, hazel or of dark tone to harmonize with coat.

Muzzle: Moderate in length, square with good depth. No inclination to snipiness. The lips are clean and tight without excess skin or flews. Bite either scissors or level.

Nose: Dark in color, black or dark brown. The nose sufficiently wide and with well-developed nostrils to insure good scenting power.

Forequarters: Shoulders sloping, clean and muscular. Legs medium in length, straight and well-boned but not so short as to handicap for field work or so heavy as to appear clumsy. Pasterns strong with no suggestion of weakness. Toes closely grouped, webbed and well-padded. Size of feet to harmonize with size of dog. Front dewclaws are permissible.

Ears: Set slightly above the eye line but not too high on the head, lobular, long and wide with leather extending to nose.

Neck: Round and of medium length, strong and muscular, free of throatiness, set to carry head with dignity. Topline level or slight, straight slope from withers.

Body: Well-developed, sturdily constructed but not too compactly coupled. Well-developed brisket extending to elbow. The ribs well-sprung. The loins strong.

Size: 15 to 18 inches for either sex. Males weighing 30–45 lbs. Females weighing 25–40 lbs.

Color: Either solid liver, brown or dark chocolate. A little white on toes and chest permissible.

Hindquarters: Well-developed hips and thighs with the whole rear assembly showing strength and drive. The hock joint slightly rounded, moderately angulated. Legs from hock joint to foot pad moderate in length, strong and straight with good bone structure. Hocks parallel.

Tail: Moderate in length, curved in a rocker fashion, can be carried either slightly below or above the level of the back. The tail is tapered, lively and covered with hair with moderate feathering.

Coat: Can range from marcel (uniform waves) to closely curled. The amount of waves or curls can vary from one area to another on the dog. It is important to have undercoat to provide sufficient density to be of protection against weather, water or punishing cover, yet not too coarse or too soft. The throat, neck and rear of the dog well-covered with hair. The ear well-covered with hair on both sides with ear canal evident upon inspection. Forehead covered with short smooth hair and without topknot. Tail covered with hair to tip with moderate feathering. Legs have moderate feathering with waves or curls to harmonize with coat of dog. Coat may be trimmed to present a well groomed appearance; the ears may be shaved; but neither is required.