American Water Spaniel Bulldog Mix

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

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American Water Spaniel Bulldog 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.

Bulldog History

There are actually a number of breeds that go by the name Bulldog, and all of them are sturdily built, wrinkly-faced canines, mostly living out their lives as family pets. This blog concerns itself with the English and American bulldogs, but there are also the Leavitt Bulldog, Old English Bulldogge, and French Bulldog. The English breed’s nose has a more noticeably “pushed-in” appearance than that of his American cousin. The English Bulldog remains the better known of the two. The AKC has yet to formally recognize the American Bulldog. Both breeds are described as affable, hardworking dogs that can do almost anything, from hunting large and small game to guarding and enjoying time with their families.
Literature of old describes the appearance of the first Bulldog around 1500. The first occurrence with the present spelling was seen in 1631 or 1632.

Sadly, these early Bulldogs have “bull” in their names because some of them were used for dogfighting. The name of the sport as it applied to Bulldogs was “bull-baiting.” In a match, crowds would pick a dog on which to wager. Then, one by one, dogs would be set atop a tethered bull. By throwing, goring or trampling the helpless dog, bulls killed many a Bulldog for human entertainment. Fortunately, the sport’s popularity peaked around 1800, and by 1835 it had been banned outright under Britain’s Cruelty to Animals Act.

The American Bulldog’s history has a different trajectory. He generally joined his immigrant owners in coming to the U.S. in the 1800s. He was a working dog and became highly prized in the southern states for his ability to track and hold feral hogs.

As happened to too many dogs, the American breed neared extinction after World War II, with most live specimens dwelling in the southeastern U.S. John D. Johnson, of Summerville, GA, made it his mission to restore the breed and did so by rounding up and breeding the best specimens he could find.

The AKC rated the Bulldog as the fourth most popular dog in the U.S. in 2015.

American Water Spaniel Bulldog Mix Size and Weight

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

Bulldog
Height: 12 - 16 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 40 - 55 lb.
Lifespan: 8 - 10 years

American Water Spaniel Bulldog Mix Personality

The American Water Spaniel and the Bulldog 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 Bulldog 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 Bulldog 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 Bulldog 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 Bulldog 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