Spanish Water Dog / Perro de Agua Español

F.C.I. standard, n. 336

Origin: Spain.
Utilization: Used as shepherd dog, hunting dog and assitent to the fisherman.
Classification FCI: Group 8: Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs. Section 3: Water Dogs.
Brief historical summary: The presence of this dog in the iberian peninsula is most ancient. its most dense population is in andalusia where he is used as a shepherd dog, and where he has been known for centuries as the "turkish dog". its characteristics, most particularly the quality of his coat, are adapted to the variation of humidity and drought of the marshy regions, which qualifies him as a shepherd dog and auxiliary to the hunters of wild fowl and fishermen in those regions.

  1. General appearance.
    Rustic dog, well proportioned (medium weight), dolichocephalic, rather long-lined of harmonious shape and attractive profile; of an athletic nature with well developed muscles owing to his regular exercise; the profile is rectilinear, his sight, hearing and scent are well developed.

  2. Important proportions.
    Length of body/size (height at withers) = 9/8. Height of chest/size (height at withers) = 4/8
    Length of muzzle/length of head = 2/3.

  3. Behaviour-character.
    Faithful, obedient, gay, hard working, brave and well balanced; learning ability outstanding owing to his extraordinary faculty of understanding; he adapts to all situations and conditions.

  4. Head.
    Strong head carried with elegance.
    4.1. Skull region.
    Flat skull with slightly marked occipital ridge. Direction of axis of skull and foreface are parallel.
    4.2. Stop.
    Facial-cranial depression slightly marked.
    4.3. Facial region.
    Profile is rectilinear.
    - Nose: nostrils well defined. Nose is of the same colour or slightly darker than the darkest tone of the coat.
    - Lips: labial corners well defined.
    - Teeth: well formed, white, with well developed canines.
    - Eyes: slightly oblique position and well spaced; very expressive; of a hazel to chestnut colour should harmonize with the colour of the coat. The conjunctiva is not apparent.
    - Ears: set at medium height, triangular drooping.

  5. Neck.
    Short, well muscled, without dewlap, springing cleanly from the shoulders.

  6. Body.
    Robust.
    - Top-line: straight.
    - Withers: hardly marked.
    - Back: straight and powerful.
    - Chest: broad and well let down - ribs well arched, ribcage diameter ampler indicating considerable respiratory capacity.
    - Rump (croup): slightly tucked up.
    - Tail: set at medium height - docking must be done at the height of the 2nd to the 4th caudal vertebra. Certain subjects show a congenital shortened tail (brachyoural).

  7. Limbs.
    7.1. Forequarters.
    Solid and upright.
    - Shoulders: well muscled and oblique.
    - Arms: sturdy and sloping.
    - Elbows: close to the chest and parallel.
    - Forearms: straight and sturdy.
    - Carpus (wrists) and metacarpus: straight, rather short.
    - Feet: rounded, toes well closed, nails of varied colours; strong resistant pads.
    7.2. Hindquarters.
    Perfectly straight with not too pronounced angulation and muscles capable of transmitting to the body an impulsion full of energy when he runs and the spring necessary for easy and elegant jumping.
    - Thighs: large and well muscled.
    - Second tighs: well developed.
    - Hocks: well let down.
    - Metatarsus: short, lean and perpendicular to the ground.
    - Feet: as the forequarters.

  8. Gait/Movement.
    The preferred gait ist the trot. The gallop is short and jerky.

  9. Skin.
    Supple, fine and adhering to the body. Can be pigmented brown or black, or be without pigment according to the colour of the coat. It is also the case for the mucous membranes.

  10. Coat.
    10.1. Hair.
    Always curly and of a wooly texture wavy or curly when short, can form big cords when long. Clipped subjects are admitted; the clipping, always complete and even, must never become an "aesthetic" grooming.
    10.2. Colour.
    Solid : white, black and chestnut in their different shades.
    Parti-coloured.
    Tri-coloured subjects are not admitted.

  11. Size & weight.
    - Height at withers:
    Males: 40-50 cm.
    Females: 38-45 cm.
    - Peso:
    Males: 16-20 kg.
    Females: 12-16 kg.

  12. Faults.
    All departures from the foregoing points must be considered as a fault which shall be penalized in proportion to its gravity.

    - Serious faults: dorso-lumbar region, saddle backed. Limbs incorrect. Long tail. Belly let down or excessively tucked up.

    - Disqualifying faults: lack of balance in character. Inferior or superior prognathism. Presence of dew-claws. Smooth coat. Albinism. Spotty coat, speckloed or fleckend.

    N.B.: males should have to apparently normal testicles fully descenced into the scrotum.

(Photos from La Guía del Perro de 1993).

Angel J. Camacho - IFCA WebMaster