Labrador Retriever vs American Water Spaniel
Size Category
Medium
Ideal For
Families, Multi-pet Homes
Maintenance Level
High
Size Category
Small
Ideal For
First-time Owners
Maintenance Level
Moderate
Decision Helper
Quick Decision Guide
Labrador Retriever might be better if you:
- Want a dog great with children
- Have other pets at home
- Want an easily trainable dog
- Lead an active lifestyle
- Prefer low-maintenance grooming
- Often have visitors or socialize frequently
American Water Spaniel might be better if you:
- Want an easily trainable dog
- Want a smaller dog that's easy to carry
Find Your Match
Quick Match Quiz
Question 1 of 7
What best describes your lifestyle?
Breed Overview
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a medium to large-sized dog known for its friendly and outgoing personality. They have a strong, muscular build with a broad head, expressive eyes, and a thick, tapering tail. Their coat is short, dense, and water-resistant, typically found in three main colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. Labradors are highly intelligent, eager to please, and versatile, making them excellent working dogs as well as beloved family pets. They are known for being sociable, affectionate, and good with children and other animals, which contributes to their popularity.
American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel is a medium-sized breed known for its versatility and adaptability as a hunting dog. They have a distinctive coat that is dense and water-resistant, typically curly or wavy, which helps them thrive in wet environments. Their size ranges from 15 to 18 inches in height and they typically weigh between 25 to 45 pounds. This breed is known for its friendly and affectionate nature, making them excellent family pets. They are intelligent, eager to please, and require regular exercise and mental stimulation. American Water Spaniels are also known for their strong retrieving instincts and love for water, making them exceptional in hunting and retrieving game from both land and water.
Key Statistics
Life Expectancy
Height (Male)
Weight (Male)
Breed Characteristics
Good with Children
Excellent with children
Good with children
Good with Other Dogs
Very social with other dogs
Generally friendly with other dogs
Shedding
Heavy shedding level
Light shedding level
Grooming Needs
Low grooming needs
Moderate grooming needs
Trainability
Highly trainable
Highly trainable
Energy Level
Very energetic breed
Moderately energetic breed
Barking Tendency
Moderate barking tendency
Moderate barking tendency
Care Requirements
Care Requirements
Labrador Retriever
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Grooming
Groom regularly to manage shedding and maintain coat health.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet with high-quality dog food.
Health Care
Groom regularly to manage shedding and maintain coat health.
American Water Spaniel
Exercise Needs
Provide a balanced diet suitable for their age, size, and activity level.
Grooming
Brush their coat at least once a week to prevent matting.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet suitable for their age, size, and activity level.
Health Care
Check and clean their ears regularly to prevent infections.
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Exercise Needs
Provide a balanced diet suitable for their age, size, and activity level.
Grooming
Groom regularly to manage shedding and maintain coat health.
Grooming
Brush their coat at least once a week to prevent matting.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet with high-quality dog food.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet suitable for their age, size, and activity level.
Health Care
Groom regularly to manage shedding and maintain coat health.
Health Care
Check and clean their ears regularly to prevent infections.
Additional Care Notes
Labrador Retriever
- •Check and clean ears to prevent infections.
American Water Spaniel
- •Schedule regular veterinary check-ups for vaccinations and health screenings.
Training & Exercise
Training & Exercise Guide
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are intelligent and eager to please, making basic training relatively straightforward. Start with essential commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Use positive reinforcement methods such as treats, praise, and play. Consistency and patience are key, alongside short, engaging training sessions to maintain their focus.
Training Challenges
- •Overexcitement leading to distraction during training
- •Jumping on people due to their friendly nature
- •Chewing and destructive behavior if not exercised enough
- •Stubbornness in adolescence if not consistently trained
- •Separation anxiety if left alone for long periods
American Water Spaniel
American Water Spaniels need consistent and positive reinforcement training. Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, and come. Socialization is crucial, exposing them to various environments, people, and other animals. Use treats and praise to encourage good behavior, and keep training sessions short and engaging to maintain their interest.
Training Challenges
- •stubbornness during training sessions
- •high energy levels making focus difficult
- •tendency to become distracted by scents in the environment
- •separation anxiety if left alone for long periods
- •excessive barking if not properly trained
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are intelligent and eager to please, making basic training relatively straightforward. Start with essential commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Use positive reinforcement methods such as treats, praise, and play. Consistency and patience are key, alongside short, engaging training sessions to maintain their focus.
Training Challenges
- •Overexcitement leading to distraction during training
- •Jumping on people due to their friendly nature
- •Chewing and destructive behavior if not exercised enough
- •Stubbornness in adolescence if not consistently trained
- •Separation anxiety if left alone for long periods
American Water Spaniel
American Water Spaniels need consistent and positive reinforcement training. Start with basic commands such as sit, stay, and come. Socialization is crucial, exposing them to various environments, people, and other animals. Use treats and praise to encourage good behavior, and keep training sessions short and engaging to maintain their interest.
Training Challenges
- •stubbornness during training sessions
- •high energy levels making focus difficult
- •tendency to become distracted by scents in the environment
- •separation anxiety if left alone for long periods
- •excessive barking if not properly trained
Training Resources
Labrador Retriever Training Guide
American Water Spaniel Training Guide
Find Breeders
Find Labrador Retriever Breeders
Find American Water Spaniel Breeders
Local Search Tips
When looking for a reputable breeder in your area, consider these approaches:
- 1.
Contact local veterinarians for breeder recommendations - They often know reputable breeders who prioritize health testing and proper care.
- 2.
Join breed-specific clubs in your area - These communities can provide valuable connections and insights about responsible breeders.
- 3.
Attend local dog shows to meet breeders - This gives you the opportunity to see their dogs and discuss breeding practices in person.