Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Corded coat, medium.
A Spanish Water Dog suits
- A family with young children (rated 4 of 5 with kids)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
Think twice if
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 5 of 5)
- You don't want regular grooming: coat care is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 5 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 3, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 4 of 5 means brushing several times a week or regular professional grooming.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 149.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Spanish Water Dog vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier · Spanish Water Dog vs Pumi · Spanish Water Dog vs Old English Sheepdog
Frequently asked questions
Are Spanish Water Dogs good with kids?
The AKC rates the Spanish Water Dog 4 out of 5 for being good with young children.
Do Spanish Water Dogs shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 4 out of 5.
Are Spanish Water Dogs easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 5 out of 5.
How much energy does a Spanish Water Dog have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Spanish Water Dog page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.