The American Water Spaniel isn’t picky. It can hunt feather or fur,  but the breed doesn’t really fit the mold of a classic retriever or flushing spaniel. The breed is so versatile, in fact, that in 1986, the American Water Spaniel Cub created its own unique working certificate tests designed to demonstrate the breed’s flushing and retrieving prowess. In 2005, the club voted to classify the AWS as a flushing spaniel which would allow the bred to earn AKC hunt test titles (as long as the dogs also completed additional club retrieving work). After being petitioned by the parent club, the AKC allowed the American Water Spaniel to earn retriever titles in 2011.  Today, the AWS is one of only a few breeds allowed by the AKC to earn both spaniel and retriever titles, and unlike a few other sporting breeds, this breed doesn’t have show lines versus field lines. Many AWS have titles at both ends of their names, which we think is something to admire and emulate.

American Water Spaniel by Kaytee Esser
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