Spanish Water Dog

The Spanish Water Dog is a curly-coated Iberian working dog that both herds and retrieves from water — its wool is left to cord rather than being brushed out.

History

It has worked on the Iberian peninsula for centuries, herding sheep and goats in Andalusia and helping fishermen on the northern coast, which is unusual: most traditions do not ask one dog to do both. It was recognised as a breed only in the twentieth century.

Temperament

The breed is known for being hard-working, loyal and closely attached to one household, wary of strangers and endlessly willing to work. It is intelligent and quick, and it needs that intelligence occupied.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and a job — herding, water work, agility. The coat is never brushed: it is left to form cords and clipped down once or twice a year, which is a different discipline from grooming rather than an easier one.

Health

Known tendencies include hip dysplasia, inherited eye conditions and hypothyroidism. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.