American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix

The American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the American Water Spaniel and the Belgian Malinois. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The American Water Spaniel sometimes known as the American Brown Spaniel or AWS is known for being friendly, energetic, and intelligent. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the American Water Spaniel or the Belgian Malinois? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix puppy. That is, if they have any American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix puppies for sale.

If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals.

American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

American Water Spaniel History

The American Water Spaniel was bred and created in the Fox and Wolf River valleys of Wisconsin throughout the middle of the 19th century. The American Water Spaniel ancestors consist of the Irish Water Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, Field Spaniel, and the now-extinct Old English Water Spaniel.
The American Water Spaniel was bred to be a dynamic hunting dog. Their coat, which is dense and curly works to protect them from cold water as well as rough plants in the woods, they are natural swimmers. Being that they aren’t that big, their size makes it easy travel with.
As larger retriever breeds became more popular than the AWS, this gal started to fall out of favor. Doctor F. J. Pfeifer of New London, Wisconsin, is given the credit of saving them from not being around anymore. He created their standard and bred and sold them. They were recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1920 and the American Kennel Club in 1940. A dog by the name of "Curly Pfeifer," was the first registered dog.

Belgian Malinois History

The Belgian Malinois (sometimes called the Malinois Dog) is part of the quartet of known Belgian sheepdogs. Smoother-coated than her cousin the Belgian Laekenois, she is similarly strong, swift, and powerful. She takes the name Malinois from Malines, the Belgian city from which she hails. Malinois are working dogs, happy to have an assignment — whether it’s agility, herding, tracking, obedience, therapy, rescue, or military or police work. Further proof of her versatility is that the Secret Service uses Belgian Malinois to patrol the grounds of the White House!

Like her other Shepherd kin, though, the Malinois needs activity, and this cannot be overstated. They do best with owners who lead active lives themselves and want a dog to share that with. People who are looking for a quiet dog who can be left alone for hours should not consider a Malinois, as boredom can make them destructive. They also have a strong prey drive, which means the owner will need to keep the Malinois secure when outdoors -- for the sake of small game and cats. The Belgian Malinois emerged in the late 1800s as a herding dog. With a warm coat, fluidity of movement and boundless energy, she could work for long hours in the worst of weather. It wasn’t long before the military recognized the breed’s value during wartime, and Malinois represented their home country during World War I as messenger carriers, ambulance dogs and even pullers of heavy machine guns.
Diesel, a female Malinois police dog killed by friendly fire in the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks, was given a funeral with full honors. A new police pup was christened Diesel in her honor.
A Belgian Malinois named Rocket served India's National Security Guard's K-9 unit as an expert assault and sniffer dog. Rocket was recommended for a gallantry award in 2016 for detecting enemy presence during an airbase attack. The operation caused burn injuries to his paws and forehead, but after weeks of treatment, he was back on the job.

American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix Size and Weight

American Water Spaniel
Height: 15 - 18 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 25 - 45 lb.
Lifespan: 13 - 15 years

Belgian Malinois
Height: 22 - 26 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 55 - 75 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 14 years

American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix Personality

The American Water Spaniel and the Belgian Malinois are known for being courageous and protective. They are also very loving dogs. The AWS is known for being obedient and trainable. It can also be protective at times.This dog will require a very strong and firm owner who makes sure to assert that they are the alpha and not the dog. They are cautious, yet non-threatening with strangers, and are affectionate towards family and children. Early socialization helps take care of any bad habits that could develop. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”

American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The American Water Spaniel mixed with the Belgian Malinois might be prone to joint dysplasia, eye disorders, cardiac abnormalities, degenerative myelopathy, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

American Water Spaniel Belgian Malinois Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

American Water Spaniel Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in