Spanish Water Dog
A woolly Andalusian farmhand who never learned the word 'off-duty'.
Vital stats
| Size | Medium · 40–50 cm |
| Weight | 14–22 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 years |
| Energy | High — 60–90 min/day plus a job |
| Shedding | Minimal — curly, corded coat |
| Coat | Woolly curls, may form cords · black, brown, beige, white, parti |
| Group | Herding · FCI №336 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
For centuries this dog herded goats, retrieved ducks and hauled lines for Andalusian farmers and fishermen — often all in the same week. That versatility built a sharp, biddable worker with a watchdog's wariness of strangers and a manager's eye on the family. Give it employment and it is superb; leave it idle at your peril.
Habits & quirks
Flock management
Family members drifting apart on a walk will be gently regathered.
Water clause
Any body of water within range is contractually entered.
The perimeter check
New places get a full patrol before relaxation is approved.
Job applications
No task assigned? It will find one — sorting shoes counts.
Care
| Exercise | An hour-plus daily plus genuine work — swimming, herding trials, agility or nose games. |
| Grooming | Never brush or comb; let curls cord naturally and clip the whole coat once or twice a year. |
| Socialisation | The natural wariness of strangers needs broad, positive exposure from puppyhood. |
| Training | Fast, willing learners that thrive on structure — vary the work to keep that quick mind busy. |
Common questions
Is the Spanish Water Dog hypoallergenic?
Its curly coat sheds minimally, which many allergy sufferers tolerate well — but no breed is truly hypoallergenic. Spend time with adult dogs before committing.
Do you really never brush them?
Really — brushing wrecks the curl and mats the wool. The coat is left to cord and is sheared to a centimetre or two once or twice a year.
Is a Spanish Water Dog good for first-time owners?
Only very committed ones — the intelligence, energy and stranger-wariness need confident, consistent handling. Under-worked, this breed becomes loudly self-employed.