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MediumHerding Group

Spanish Water Dog

The Spanish Water Dog is an Andalusian herding and fishing-boat working breed, used historically for both flock management and retrieving nets along Spain's Mediterranean coast.

Calculate Spanish Water Dog age
Lifespan13.7 yrrange 13–14
SizeMediumHerding Group
Weight31–49 lb14.1–22.2 kg
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11

Gallery (3)

About

About the Spanish Water Dog

The Spanish Water Dog is an Andalusian herding and fishing-boat working breed, used historically for both flock management and retrieving nets along Spain's Mediterranean coast. The cordable curly coat is breed-defining; AKC recognition dates to 2015.

Aging

How Spanish Water Dogs age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 13.7 years (n=302). Hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (prcd) are the defining inherited concerns — DNA-testable — with hypothyroidism and breed-variant congenital goiter secondary.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13.7 yr · range 13–14Senior careSenior at 7 · geriatric at 11Common health issues4 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
31–49 lb(14.1–22.2 kg)
Height
15.75–19.75 in(40–50.2 cm)
Coat type
Curly
Colors
BlackBlack & WhiteBrownBrown & WhiteWhite w/Black NoseWhite w/Brown NoseBeige w/Black NoseBeige w/Brown NoseBeige & White w/Black NoseBeige & White w/Brown NoseWhite & BlackWhite & Brown
Temperament

Temperament

How Spanish Water Dogs tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

affectionatediligentintelligentloyal
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~5 yr

    Hypothyroidism

    Description and veterinary guidance for Hypothyroidism land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~6 yr

    Progressive Retinal Atrophy

    Description and veterinary guidance for Progressive Retinal Atrophy land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
60min
per day

About 60 minutes of activity per day keeps a Spanish Water Dog physically and mentally satisfied. Split it between a structured walk and free play.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.