English Water Spaniel

		English Water Spaniel
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
En français, cette race se dit			Epagneul d'eau anglais
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar			Englischer Wasserspaniel
En español, esta raza se dice			Spaniel de Agua Inglés
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd			Engelse Waterspaniël

The English Water Spaniel is a breed of dog that became extinct in the early 20th century, with the last known specimen observed in the 1930s. It was best known for its use in waterfowl hunting and for its ability to dive as well as a duck. Historically used for hunting and retrieving waterfowl, it was renowned for its exceptional swimming abilities and its curly, waterproof coat, often white and tan. It resembled a cross between a Poodle and a Springer Spaniel. As its name suggests, the English Water Spaniel loved to swim and wade. It was known for its ability to enter the water slowly and without disturbing its surroundings. It enjoyed hunting game birds and other waterfowl, and was trained for this purpose. Renowned for their great affection and loyalty to their owners, English Water Spaniels were easy to train thanks to their intelligence. Highly popular, they could expend energy for hours without interruption.

The English Water Spaniel was a remarkable breed, famous for its hunting and retrieving abilities in water. Active from the 16th to the 19th centuries, this dog was indispensable to hunters, prized for its agility in the water, its intelligence, and its boundless energy. With its curly, waterproof coat and excellent swimming skills, the English Water Spaniel was a born water hunter. Medium-sized and muscular, it possessed a distinctive appearance, with a curly or wavy coat and long, drooping ears. Its coat allowed it to work effectively in wet and cold conditions, making it the ideal companion for hunters in marshes, rivers, and coastal areas. Known for its eager-to-please temperament, this spaniel was not only an outstanding retriever but also a loyal and friendly companion. With changing hunting practices and preferences, the English Water Spaniel gradually lost its appeal, supplanted by breeds such as the Irish Water Spaniel and other modern retrievers. By the early 20th century, the English Water Spaniel had disappeared as a distinct breed, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in hunting and water work. Although the breed is now extinct, its contribution to the development of modern water dogs remains significant.