American Water Spaniel Berger Picard Mix

The American Water Spaniel Berger Picard Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the American Water Spaniel and the Berger Picard. 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 Berger Picard? 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 Berger Picard 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 Berger Picard Mix puppy. That is, if they have any American Water Spaniel Berger Picard Mix puppies for sale.

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American Water Spaniel Berger Picard 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.

Berger Picard History

The Berger Picard is a sheepdog from Picardy, France who has been introduced in the U.S. but has become rare in both countries since the end of World War II. Owners call them simply Picards. The Picard is muscular and of medium size, with a fawn or brindle coat of loose, longish hair, normally erect ears, and a tail carried in a J shape.

A fun fact about this breed: The producers of the movie Because of Winn-Dixie (2005) used three Picards, imported from Europe, to portray the titular dog. The Picard has the scruffy but exuberant look the producers wanted, but they needed three dogs of very similar appearance so that one could fill in for another as necessary, thus preventing dog-related delays in production. To this day, many people who watch Winn-Dixie believe its star is a mixed breed, not a purebred dog. The Picard is thought to be the oldest of all the French sheepdogs. Historians believe she arrived in northern France and the Pas de Calais during the second Celtic invasion of Gaul around 400 BC. Ancient tapestries, engravings and woodcuts depict a sheepdog closely resembling the Picard. There is some controversy on this subject: Some experts insist that the Picard is related to the more well-known Briard and Beauceron, while others believe she shares a common origin with Dutch and Belgian shepherds.

Although brilliant as a sheepdog, the Picard got a slow start in gaining respect among French dog fanciers, who insisted a sheepdog’s coat must be either very long or very short (the Picard’s coat is of medium length). She first appeared in a French dog show in 1863, but respect and popularity continued to elude her until 1925, when the French Shepherd Club formally recognized the breed.

Fast-forward 20 years: Breeders would have to re-establish the Picard as a breed, since nearly all breeding stock was lost to the two world wars. Some dogs died serving France in the trenches; others starved to death. At this time dogs belonging to “peasants” were not registered, so their actual numbers are unclear, but eager breeders searched all of Picardy until they found a suitable breeding pair. They became the origin stock for the breed as we know it today.

Americans began to take interest in the dog in the mid-1970s, importing individuals and breeding pairs. The Berger Picard Club of America has worked tirelessly with the AKC to cross all hurdles involved in AKC recognition. American breeders are particularly concerned with maintaining the breed standard and protecting the Picard from the American impulse to cross-breed and create new types of dogs. The Berger Picard finally made her debut as a recognized breed at Westminster in 2016!

American Water Spaniel Berger Picard Mix Size and Weight

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

Berger Picard
Height: 22 - 26 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 23 - 32 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 13 years

American Water Spaniel Berger Picard Mix Personality

The American Water Spaniel and the Berger Picard 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 Berger Picard 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 Berger Picard 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 Berger Picard 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 Berger Picard 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