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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+6
Dogs
# The Spanish Water Dog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Spain
A rustic, athletic and versatile water dog, as comfortable at work as with the family.
Size MediumLife expectancy 10–14 yearsBudget ≈ €107/monthPuppy €500 – €1,000
[Find a breeder 3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=spanish-water-dog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Fair
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Versatility: It combines the abilities of a herding dog, a hunting dog and a water working dog.
- Learning abilities: Its intelligence, its obedience and its desire to please make its training easier.
- Robustness: Its rustic build and its protective coat allow it to face difficult conditions.
- Low shedding: It sheds very little despite the continuous growth of its coat.
- High activity needs: He requires long, frequent outings and regular stimulation.
- Apartment living not very suitable: He thrives more in large spaces and in contact with nature.
- Strong hunting instinct: His hunter temperament requires attentive training and management.
- Regular clipping: The continuous growth of the coat requires about two clippings per year.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active owner: It suits a person who is available to offer it long outings and stimulating activities.
- Home close to nature: It fully benefits from an environment offering large open spaces to expend energy.
- Dog activities enthusiast: Its versatility and taste for work lend themselves to varied exercises.
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary person: Its energy level and need for exercise are incompatible with a not very active daily routine.
- Living exclusively in an apartment: The lack of space and regular exercise does not meet its needs well.
- Household with little availability: It requires frequent outings, stimulation, and regular maintenance.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
46 cmSpanish Water Dog
- Height at the withers
- 42–50 cm
- Weight
- 14–23 kg
- Coat
- Curly, woolly
- FCI group
- 8
- Origin
- Spain
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Spanish Water Dog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
Present for a very long time in Spain, notably in Andalusia where it is more common, the Spanish Water Dog was traditionally called "Turkish dog". It shares common origins with the ancient Barbet. Appreciated as a herding dog, it is also used as a hunting partner for water game in the marshes and as an auxiliary for fishing. The breed, registered under number 336, has been recognized by the FCI since 1999, as well as by the AKC, the ANKC, the CKC, the UKC, the KC and the NZKC.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Spanish Water Dog is a medium-sized dog, rustic, well-proportioned, harmoniously built, athletic and endowed with good musculature. Its body is solid, with a straight topline, a slightly marked withers, a straight and strong back, a slightly sloping croup, a broad chest, well-sprung ribs and a slightly tucked-up belly. Its powerful head is elegantly carried, with a flat skull, a slightly marked stop, a straight profile and a nose of the coat color or darker. Its triangular, drop ears are set moderately high. Its very expressive eyes, slightly oblique, range from hazel to brown. Its tail is set moderately high and may be naturally short. Its curly, woolly coat can form large cords when it is long. The coat is solid white, black or brown, or bicolor white and black or white and brown.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Versatile, loyal, docile, cheerful and attentive, the Spanish Water Dog combines the abilities of a herding dog, a hunting dog and a fishing dog. He is always ready to work and stands out for remarkable learning and adaptation abilities. He is affectionate with his family, rather not very independent and moderately protective, but his hunting instinct is pronounced.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Active and playful, the Spanish Water Dog needs long, frequent outings and regular stimulation. Its sociability with other animals is average and it tends to be rather reserved with strangers. Its relationship with children requires careful socialization and supervised interactions. It vocalizes moderately.
Training
## Training and socialization
Obedient, intelligent and eager to learn as well as to please its owner, the Spanish Water Dog has good training abilities. Its education must combine a minimum of firmness with a lot of gentleness, without brutality or lack of boundaries.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Spanish Water Dog
The purchase price varies depending on the breeder, the line, the pedigree, the age and the dog's intended use. The annual maintenance budget is generally around 1,200 to 1,300 euros, including food and veterinary follow-up.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/spanish-water-dog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Spanish Water Dog is robust and generally enjoys good health. Its coat protects it quite well from moisture and harsh weather conditions. No particular predisposition to a disease is reported for this breed.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/spanish-water-dog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Spanish Water Dog needs a balanced, high-quality diet, adapted to its level of physical activity, its size and its age.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/spanish-water-dog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Spanish Water Dog is also known under the names of Turkish Dog, Perro de Agua Español, Spanish Water Dog and Spanish Water Spaniel. Its historical versatility has enabled it to work as a herding dog, a hunting assistant for waterfowl and a partner of fishermen. A litter generally includes 4 to 6 puppies.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Spanish Water Dog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Spanish Water Dog suitable for family life?
Yes, if it is well socialized and if the household can meet its exercise and training needs. Each individual still needs to be assessed.
### Can the Spanish Water Dog live in an apartment?
That depends mainly on its activity level and the regularity of outings. An apartment is suitable only if daily needs are truly met.
## Find a Spanish Water Dog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Spanish Water Dog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Spanish Water Dog breeders by country
[41 breeders of Spanish Water Dog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog/germany) [17 breeders of Spanish Water Dog in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog/spain) [6 breeders of Spanish Water Dog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog/netherlands) [5 breeders of Spanish Water Dog in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog/austria) [3 breeders of Spanish Water Dog in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog/denmark) [3 breeders of Spanish Water Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog) [3 breeders of Spanish Water Dog in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog/united-kingdom) [2 breeders of Spanish Water Dog in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog/croatia) [2 breeders of Spanish Water Dog in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog/switzerland) [1 breeder of Spanish Water Dog in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog/italy)
[All breeders of Spanish Water Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog)
## Ready to welcome a Spanish Water Dog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-spanish-water-dog)
## Discover other breeds
[American Water Spaniel
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/american-water-spaniel)
[Frisian Water Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/frisian-water-dog)
[Irish Water Spaniel
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/irish-water-spaniel)
[Barbet
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/barbet)
[Portuguese Water Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-water-dog)
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