American Water Spaniel Health and Costs
Breed Group
Sporting Dogs
Country of Origin
United States
Breed Size
Medium
AKC Recognition
Yes, recognized in 1940
FCI Recognition
Yes, recognized in 1954
Rarity
Fairly Common4 / 10
Purchase cost
Moderate6 / 10
Life expectancy
Moderate Lifespan6 / 10
Health
Fairly healthy6 / 10
Health problem risk
Average health burden5 / 10
Maintenance cost
Moderate upkeep4 / 10
A Veterinarian's Guide
American Water Spaniel Health Problems and Costs
The American Water Spaniel is a compact, curly-coated hunting companion developed to retrieve from boats and cold water. It is generally hardy, but a few problems repeat in the breed: heart disease, hips, eyes, a spinal cord disorder, and ear infections after swimming. Knowing them before you bring a puppy home, or while you already share your life with one, makes screening and routine care much easier to plan.
In this guide
Why Do Hips Need Regular Screening in This Breed?
Hip dysplasia, an inherited malformation in which the ball and socket of the hip do not fit snugly, leads to a loose joint, pain, and arthritis over time. Driven working dogs can push through real joint discomfort out of sheer enthusiasm, so watching how a dog performs in the field is not a reliable screen. The breed club recommends a hip evaluation for breeding dogs, and a formal evaluation tells you far more than visible signs.
Weight management protects joints that may already carry some structural risk, and a body condition check at every routine visit catches gradual weight gain long before it is obvious at home. A related hind-end concern is degenerative myelopathy, a genetic spinal cord disorder that usually appears in middle age as weakness in the hind legs and can progress to paralysis. It is worth mentioning to your veterinarian if your dog's back legs begin to wobble or drag.
Why Should the Heart Be Checked Early and Often?
Ask your veterinarian to listen carefully to your American Water Spaniel's heart at its very first puppy exam and at every checkup. A murmur found early gives you far more management options than a problem discovered after signs appear.
Mitral valve disease, in which the valve between two chambers of the left side of the heart leaks blood backward, is described as the breed's biggest health concern. Two heart defects present from birth, pulmonic stenosis, a narrowing at the exit of the right side of the heart, and patent ductus arteriosus, a fetal blood vessel that fails to close after birth, are also of some concern.
The first clue is usually a heart murmur picked up during auscultation, from the Latin auscultare, "to listen," which is simply the technical word for listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. A cardiac ultrasound confirms the diagnosis and its severity. Many mild heart conditions need only monitoring, and the breed club lists a cardiac exam among its recommended tests.
What Eye Conditions Can Affect Vision Over Time?
Several eye problems are reported in the breed: cataracts, a clouding of the lens, distichiasis, extra eyelashes that rub the surface of the eye, and retinal dysplasia, an abnormal development of the retina that can lead to blindness. Dogs often adapt well to gradual vision loss in a familiar home, so owners may not notice anything until a formal exam finds it.
The breed club recommends an ophthalmologist evaluation for breeding dogs, and regular exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist starting in early adulthood are the most reliable way to track eye health over a dog's lifetime.
Why Do the Ears Need Regular Attention?
Long, curly ears combined with real enthusiasm for water make ear infections a recurring concern in this breed, because water trapped in the ear canal gives yeast and bacteria the damp environment they need. This is one of the most preventable problems on this list. Dry the ears thoroughly after every swim, clean them with a veterinarian-approved cleaner after swimming or bathing, and check them weekly for redness or odor.
- 01
Persistent head shaking
Shaking the head or tilting it to one side again and again.
- 02
Foul smell
An unpleasant odor coming from one or both ears.
- 03
Redness or discharge
Red, swollen skin or dark or yellow debris in the canal.
- 04
Scratching or pain
Pawing at the ear or pulling away when it is touched.
Infections left untreated become considerably harder to resolve, so a same-week appointment is better than a home remedy.
What Does Managing an American Water Spaniel's Health Actually Cost?
| Condition or Need | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hip radiographs (certified) | $250 to $450 | Before breeding, ideally |
| Eye exam | $75 to $200 | Regular rechecks starting in early adulthood |
| Cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram) | $300 to $600 | If a murmur is heard at a puppy exam |
| Ear infection treatment | $100 to $300 per episode | More with a specialist workup |
Questions to Ask a Breeder Before Buying a Puppy
Ask for hip, cardiac, and eye results for both parents, since those are the tests the breed club recommends. It also helps to ask whether puppies receive a thorough heart exam before going to new homes, because a conscientious breeder should already be doing this as standard practice.
Meeting an adult relative of the puppy, ideally a parent, gives a useful sense of coat, temperament, and energy level that an eight-week-old litter cannot reveal on its own.
Daily Life With an American Water Spaniel
This is a versatile hunting breed with real intelligence and a strong desire to stay busy. Plan on about an hour of vigorous exercise a day, ideally with access to water, and mix in varied games or puzzle feeders, because a clever dog gets bored with repetitive routines. The personality profile describes a family-loving dog that is slow to warm up to strangers, and positive-reinforcement training with early socialization suits its sensitive, eager-to-please nature.
The curly coat sheds little but needs weekly brushing to prevent matting, especially after swimming, and the grooming guide covers coat and bath routines. A bath about every three months, or when the dog is dirty, is usually enough.
Keeping Your American Water Spaniel Healthy for the Long Run
Schedule hip evaluations, regular eye exams, and a thorough heart exam in puppyhood before your dog leaves the breeder. Dry the ears after every swim without exception, and check them weekly even when your dog has not been in the water. Pet insurance is worth pricing while your dog is young and healthy.
Final Thoughts From a Veterinarian
American Water Spaniels usually live 10 to 14 years and cost about $150 to $350 a month. Schedule hip, heart and eye checks, dry the ears after every swim, and ask for a murmur check at the first puppy visit. Your veterinarian can tailor the plan.
Health & Costs FAQ
How much do American Water Spaniel cost?
Puppy prices from reputable breeders vary by region and by how hard the breed is to find, since it is uncommon. Beyond the purchase price, budget for initial supplies and vaccinations, plus ongoing food, grooming, and veterinary costs.
Purchase cost: 6 / 10
How long do American Water Spaniel live?
American Water Spaniels typically live about 10 to 14 years, though some sources give a narrower range. A lean weight, daily exercise, ear and dental care, and routine veterinary checkups help them stay active into their senior years.
Life expectancy: 6 / 10
Are American Water Spaniel healthy dogs?
American Water Spaniels are generally hardy and typically live 10 to 14 years, but they are not problem-free. Mitral valve disease and other heart conditions, hip dysplasia, eye problems, degenerative myelopathy, and ear infections are the main concerns. Breed clubs recommend hip, cardiac, and eye screening, and regular checkups help catch trouble early.
Health: 6 / 10
What health problems do American Water Spaniel have?
American Water Spaniels can develop heart disease (including mitral valve disease), hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, eye conditions such as cataracts and retinal dysplasia, and recurring ear infections after swimming. Screening for hips, heart, and eyes, a lean weight, and drying the ears after swims help limit problems.
Health problem risk: 5 / 10
Are American Water Spaniel expensive to maintain?
American Water Spaniels have moderate upkeep costs. The low-shedding curly coat needs weekly brushing to prevent matting and only occasional baths, and many owners groom at home. Budget for quality food, routine veterinary care, preventives, and screening of the heart, hips, and eyes, plus ear care after swimming.
Maintenance cost: 4 / 10
How much does it cost to own a American Water Spaniel per month?
Expect roughly $150 to $350 per month to own an American Water Spaniel, depending on food, region, and insurance. This covers high-quality food, routine veterinary care, and preventive medications. Grooming costs are modest if you brush the curly coat at home, but pet insurance is worth pricing to cover possible heart, hip, and eye problems.
Monthly ownership cost: 5 / 10
How much does pet insurance cost for a American Water Spaniel?
Pet insurance for an American Water Spaniel typically costs between $30 and $60 per month, depending on age, location, and coverage. Because heart, hip, and eye conditions can lead to larger veterinary bills, pricing a policy while your dog is young and healthy is worth doing.
Pet insurance cost: 3 / 10
Will homeowners insurance cover a American Water Spaniel?
Yes, most homeowners insurance policies cover American Water Spaniels, as they are not typically on restricted breed lists. As a rare and affable breed, they are generally considered low-risk. However, always disclose your pet to your provider to ensure full liability coverage and protect against potential theft.
Homeowners insurance difficulty: 9 / 10
Are American Water Spaniel on insurance restricted breed lists?
No, American Water Spaniels are not typically found on insurance restricted-breed lists. As a rare and affable breed, they are generally viewed as low-risk companions by insurers. However, you should always disclose your pet to your provider to ensure full liability coverage and protect against potential theft.
Insurance restriction risk: 2 / 10
Can you get renters insurance with a American Water Spaniel?
Yes, you can typically get renters insurance with an American Water Spaniel. As a rare and friendly breed, they are seldom included on restricted breed lists. Most policies provide standard liability coverage, but always disclose your pet to your insurer to ensure full protection for your rental.
Renters insurance difficulty: 8 / 10
