St. John's Water Dog vs Spanish Water Dog - Breed Comparison

St. John's Water Dog vs Spanish Water Dog - Breed ComparisonSpanish Water Dog is originated from Spain but St. John's Water Dog is originated from Canada. Both Spanish Water Dog and St. John's Water Dog are having almost same height. Spanish Water Dog may weigh 19 kg / 41 pounds lesser than St. John's Water Dog. Both Spanish Water Dog and St. John's Water Dog has almost same life span. Both Spanish Water Dog and St. John's Water Dog has almost same litter size. Spanish Water Dog requires Moderate Maintenance. But St. John's Water Dog requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
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Spain
Canada
Height Male:
44 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
48 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
47 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 22 kg
39 - 49 pounds
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
16 - 35 kg
35 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 8
4 - 6
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Perro de agua Español SWD Turco Andaluz • Turkish Dog
St. Johns Dog, Lesser Newfoundland, St. John’s Newfoundland
Colors Available:
solid black, beige, brown, or white; bicolour where the second colour is white; or particolour
black
Coat:
distinctive curly coat which is woolly in texture and may form cords when long
short, thick coats
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal
Intelligent, Loving, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

spanish water dogBred in Spain to guard and herd sheep, the Spanish Water Dog was also used in hunting because he could retrieve in water. The breed is closely aligned with other water dogs like the Irish Water Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog and French Barbel. It is especially true that the Spanish Water Dog and the Portuguese Water Dog share some of the same ancestors. The two breeds are closely related.

In the early days of the breed, they were separated into three different sizes and types. The dogs from Northern Spain were smaller than the others and came from the regions of Cantabria and Asturias. These lighter colored dogs eventually became their own breed – the Cantabria Water Dog. The second group came from western Andalusia marsh lands. He had a long chorded coat. The third group was the strongest and largest and came from the southern Andalusian sierras. This was by far the largest and most influential group, most of whom were herders. Eventually the groups interbred and today’s SWD carries the traits of all three. They were and still are a very versatile breed. In addition to herding they fished or retrieved for hunters.

The breed was revived in the 1970”s by two breeders, Santiago Montesinos and Antonio Garcia Perez travelled through southern Spain to buy or borrow dogs for breeding. By 1980, they had established the Spanish Water Dog Club of Spain and reestablished the breed. They fought to the breed recognized in Spain first. After five years of hard work, the Federation Cynologique Internationale recognized the breed permanently in 1999.

The UKC, or United Kennel Club, of the United States, recognized the breed in 2001, accepting them for confirmation by 2004. In the United States the breed was championed by Ken and Jerry Mann to attain that UKC recognition. Still the AKC, or American Kennel Club, held out on their recognition. The Manns showed the SWD in 2000 in the AKC Rare Breed Conformation and the UKC multi-breed show in 2004.

The Manns also used their breed for herding in the United States in entered them into the herding competition. In the they advocated for and got the SWD into the herding group for confirmation with the UKC in 2013. The American Kennel Club approved the requests of the Spanish Water Dog Club, Inc and recognized the breed in 2005 as foundation stock. By 2008 the AKC recognized the SWD to be able to compete in field trials by not conformation. In 2015 the SWD will be admitting to AKC conformation and fully recognized as a member of the herding group. They were also recognized by the American Herding Breed Association in 2007.

st john s water dogThe breed known as the St. John’s water dog is an extinct landrace breed. They were domestic dogs found in Newfoundland and at times were called the lesser Newfoundland. There is not much information available about the other breeds that went into its development. Hypothetically it is believed they are a mix of the Irish, Old English and Portuguese dogs bred to work.

It is also thought that other breeds in their family tree, descending from them, include the Golden Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Labrador and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The Newfoundland is also related to the St. Johns Water Dog through the line of Rafeirio do Alenteios that Portuguese fisherman brought to the island.

The breed was exported to England in the 19th century and early 20th. There the breeds of retrievers were developed. In Canada during this time frame restrictions were placed on dog ownership in order to encourage people to raise sheep. At the same time England imposed a long quarantine on all animals coming into the country in order to get rid of rabies. These two factors contributed greatly to the extinction of the breed. It seems the last two dogs were seen in a remote area in the 1980’s. All attempts to save the breed failed.

Description

spanish water dog puppy - descriptionThe Spanish Water Dog is an athletic, medium size, robust breed that is not as tall as it is long. In countries like the US, the tails are docked but it is not a conformation fault if they are not. The carry themselves with pride and elegance, have a strong head and expressive eyes which are brown. They have flat skulls and wide set eyes. Their paw pads, eye-rims and nose should be darker than their coat or at least the same color. Their eyes are chestnut, hazel or dark brown and their ears are medium height and triangular. His coat is curly and his topline is straight. With a broad chest and arched rib, he is a very athletic looking dog. The breed has much respiratory capacity with broad shoulders and straight sturdy legs. The breed has rounded feet , tight toes, and resistant pads.

st john s water dog puppy - descriptionSt. John’s Water Dog is strong, medium sized and stocky. They looked more like English Labs than American Labs. They had a thick, short coat, loved swimming, had a lot of endurance and rudder tail. It was also described as a thin, black dog with short hair. They had white patches on their chest and feet. His nose was thin and tapered, his legs powerful, his chest muscular. The breed is quick, swims, runs quickly and is a fighter as well.

Never accepted by any major kennel club except as a foundation breed. They became extinct.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness - yes

2.Special talents - water/swimming search and rescue

spanish water dog dog - characteristics3.Adaptability - very adaptable with the right exercise. Neither heat nor cold bother them.

4.Learning ability – Smart but need a reliable recall.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness - yes they are good with children.

2.Special talents swimming is their best talent

st john s water dog dog - characteristics3.Adaptability large need fence, they are not large dogs but they need outdoor space

4.Learning ability – very smart and eager to learn

Health Problems

spanish water dog puppies - health problemsThe Spanish Water Dog has much of the same health problems as the other water dogs and dogs their size and heritage. Here are some of the health issues they are prone to.

  • PRA- Progressive retinal atrophy – can cause blindness.
  • Hip dysplasia- can cause lameness or arthritis.
  • Cherry eye – can be successfully treated.
  • Cataracts – usually in old age and not removed.
  • Hypothyroidism – affects the immune system of middle aged dogs.
  • Allergies – skin and food.

• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency – inability to digest food – can be treated.

  • Addison’s Disease – Adrenal glands not functioning. Can be treated.

• CHG – Congenital Hypothyroidism with Goiter – inherited and pups don’t grow correctly.

• Neuroaxonal Dystrophy – cognitive and muscular dysfunction. Vitamin E and insulin deficiency

st john s water dog puppies - health problemsThere is no documented history of any genetic or hereditary illnesses in the breed. However, it seems rational to believe they suffered from ailments similar to Labradors and newfoundland though they are smaller dogs.

No history like Labs and Newfoundlands .

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • PRA – progressive retinal atrophy – can cause blindness.
  • Cancer – in their later years.
  • Infectious diseases – not as serious as prior to vaccinations.
  • Myopathy hereditary – affects the muscles.
  • Ear infections.

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Caring The Pet

spanish water dog dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – Because of the breed propensity to some genetic dietary issues it is important to feed high quality food made from mostly meat. Avoid grains as much as possible. Don’t feed adult foods to the puppies. Feed puppy breed specific or medium size dogs.

2.Feeding the adult - Feed the adult as little grain and as much protein as possible. Feed adult breed specific or medium size dog’s food.

3.Points for Good Health - speed, stamina and agility

4. Games and Exercises – This is a working breed. Remember they are both herders and hunters and need exercise. They love strenuous hiking, running, jogging, long walks, swimming and playing fetch. Don’t over work the puppy/young dog until they have matured and their growth plates close.

st john s water dog dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – Don’t overfeed – they have a propensity toward obesity. Feed high quality, high protein 3 x a day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed. Feed a high quality, high protein 1-2 x a day.

3.Points for Good Health - stamina

4. Games and Exercises – They need space to run and they love to explore. They would also love to be near water where they could swim. Good at dock diving, field trials, flyball and frisbee.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Spanish Water Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  29. Spanish Water Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Spanish Water Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Spanish Water Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Spanish Water Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Spanish Water Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Spanish Water Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Spanish Water Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Spanish Water Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Spanish Water Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Spanish Water Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Spanish Water Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Spanish Water Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Spanish Water Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Spanish Water Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Spanish Water Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Spanish Water Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Spanish Water Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Spanish Water Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Spanish Water Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Spanish Water Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Spanish Water Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Spanish Water Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison