Main Water Dog Breeds

We know water dog breeds love to swim, and that they generally have a woolly, curly, or somewhat scruffy-looking coat. We also know they're affectionate and loyal, as well as protective.

But do you know the main water dog breeds? In this SoyUnPerro article we'll go over these breeds and their main characteristics. Which one do you think would fit your personality best?

• You might also like: Herding dog breeds

Spanish Water Dog

Used since the Middle Ages to retrieve waterfowl and assist fishermen, these dogs are native to Andalusia. They're medium-sized with a sturdy build. The head is imposing, with a flat forehead, slanted eyes, and triangular ears hanging on both sides. Their single-layer coat is curly at the tips and abundant on the face.

The Spanish Water Dog is very obedient and loyal to its family. It has a balanced temperament, even in tense situations, which makes it a good guard dog. It also excels at other tasks like herding. At home it'll get along wonderfully with children, as long as they've grown up together.

Portuguese Water Dog

Also known as the Cão de Água, they accompanied Portuguese sailors around the world for centuries. Their build is perfectly proportioned, medium-sized, with athletic lines. The thick, abundant coat can be wavy or curly, and it's also hypoallergenic.

They're generally good family dogs, very cheerful and playful well into adulthood. They take a while to mature and tend to prefer the company of children, though you should keep a close eye on their play to avoid roughness on either side. They're very intelligent dogs, capable of solving problems on their own. They get bored quickly, so they need continuous physical and mental challenges.

Irish Water Spaniel

This variety was developed by an Irish breeder, Justin McCarthy. Ancestors of the Irish Water Spaniel include the Spaniel, the Barbet, and the Portuguese Water Dog. Dogs of this breed have a sturdy look and a particularly thin tail, known as a "rat tail." The topknot is also distinctive. The only color accepted by the standard is liver.

These dogs always look to be the center of attention through antics and tumbles. They're usually very active, but not excessively jumpy indoors. That said, they're not recommended for homes with small animals. They like to please, though they're also independent and somewhat stubborn.

French Barbet

Historically linked to France ("Barbet" means "bearded" in French), they're actually thought to originate from central Europe. These dogs specialize in retrieving waterfowl from cold, marshy areas. They have an elongated shape and a sturdy build. Their thick beard is another of their trademarks. Their thick skin and dense, woolly coat let them swim for long periods.

The French Barbet adapts well to any type of family. They're tolerant of children, though a bit rough. They need a lot of daily activity and aren't recommended for small homes. They should be socialized from puppyhood so they don't develop an overly territorial character.

Poodle

Regulars at beauty pageants, few people know the Poodle's original job was retrieving waterfowl. In fact, its name comes from the French word for duck-hunting dogs (Canard means "duck" and Chien means "dog"). Its elegance shows in its walk and majestic bearing. The coat is curly and coarse over the whole body.

Poodles show a special fondness for their family, since they're very affectionate and crave constant attention. They love to play and get along great with children. They'll also form good relationships with other dogs and family pets. They can be a bit distant with strangers, but will warm up over time. They're intelligent and adaptable, so they learn quickly.

Frisian Water Dog

This variety comes from the Netherlands and was originally used to retrieve waterfowl and catch otters. They're medium-sized with a square profile. They have a solid but balanced body. The coat has a rough texture and usually forms curls.

With its family, the Frisian Water Dog behaves in a friendly, calm way, though it tends to be wary of strangers. Because of this, many people choose it to protect people or homes. Its training is somewhat complex, since it likes to do things its own way. It's best trained with a firm, consistent hand from puppyhood.

Lagotto Romagnolo

Originally used to retrieve waterfowl in the Romagna region of Italy, they're now bred to detect truffles. Lagottos are experts at this task, with a keen nose and an innate tendency to dig. They're small dogs, with a curly coat that's abundant around the eyebrows and mustache.

They're also very friendly with their inner circle and quite calm at home. That said, they need daily exercise. They're great swimmers and will appreciate a good dip. They can be trained as guard dogs, since they tend to bark to raise the alarm when someone approaches. They don't like being alone, so if you don't give them enough time, they'll destroy everything around them.

American Water Spaniel

Descended from European water dogs, these dogs developed in North America's Great Lakes region. Besides being skilled retrievers, they're also great hunters of land birds like partridge. They're medium-sized with balanced lines. Their coat is more rugged and less curly than that of other varieties.

The American Water Spaniel will always pick a leader it can fully trust. It tends to be quite wary and territorial with strangers. It needs early socialization and plenty of daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. Otherwise, it's likely to start destroying things in protest.