American Water Spaniel

American water spaniel, breed of sporting dog originating in the United States in the late 1800s, bred to retrieve on land or to leap into the water from a boat to retrieve birds. Its ancestors are unknown, but the breed likely was developed from other spaniels and the Irish water spaniel or the curly-coated retriever, which it resembles. It was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1940. As befits a sporting dog, it is muscular and active, with a broad skull and hanging ears. It is medium sized, standing 15 to 18 inches (38 to 45 cm) and weighing 25 to 45 pounds (11 to 20 kg). The liver-coloured, brown, or chocolate coat is curly or marcelled (uniformly waved) everywhere except on the face; some dogs have a little white on the chest and toes.