Customer Reviews

American Water Spaniel (Comprehensive Owner's Guide)

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Good history and background on the breed, but it would have been helpful to have more specific information. For example the need to deter heavy barking is mentioned, but no suggestions are offered on how to do this. This breed also tends to be sensitive, with highly honed training instincts, so information on what training techniques work best would be useful.

I own an American Water Spaniel from the author of the book, which I got before I knew about the book. That said, I waited until I lived with the dog a year prior to posting here. There is not much available about the AWS and during the year I never thought I needed more breed specific information than this volume provides. The first fifty pages focus on the AWS and are well written and informative - I went back to them time-and-again, especially the excellent "Characteristics" chapter. The balance of the book contains general information re. puppies, training, health, etc. To go into depth regarding each of those is not the author's intent and that information is available elsewhere and perhaps best sought out through your vet or a trainer after you become familiar with your dog's unique personality. Aside from information, the book provides lots of AWS pictures in various settings and at different stages of growth, which I found handy since you don't see these dogs often. In summary, this book does the job it is intended for and is valuable if you're considering getting an AWS and also a welcome addition to the book shelf if you have one of these special dogs.