Re: American Water Spaniels
[Re: Pike River]
#7001902
09/27/20 01:23 PM
09/27/20 01:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,183 Wisconsin
Moosetrot
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,183
Wisconsin
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We had one back in the 80's. It was most hot and cold dog I have ever owned. When it wanted to hunt it was very good and with a great nose. She had an attitude, however, that we could not discipline or train out of her. As an example, my wife and I were duck hunting a pothole in Saskatchewan and missed on a flock of birds. The AWS broke and was swimming around in the pothole for a long time, flaring flocks of birds. We did everything we could to try to get her back when my wife waded out and took her by the collar. The dog turned and laid open her finger. My wife decided it was time to take the dog to the truck and when she was getting it into the crate it bit her again. I have zero tolerance for a biting dog. If our son, who "owned" the dog would not have been with us, the dog would not have left Saskatchewan.
There were also times the dog simply chose not to hunt, no matter what we did. It also had a variety of skin issues which we tried to address through the Vet and changing foods, etc. It also had a tendency to cover the inside of the crate with slimy, mucousy crap while travelling.
We have always had Labs, except for that failed experiment. Most likely will not go that route again. I have heard others that swear by the AWS and there must be some good ones out there.
Good luck and be cautious in your choice.
Moosetrot
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Re: American Water Spaniels
[Re: Co�s]
#7002118
09/27/20 05:09 PM
09/27/20 05:09 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570 Dunbar, Wisconsin
Pike River
OP
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OP
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
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Tuning in with interest. I’ve been eying AWS for my next dog. Love my springer on pats and woodcock but want a retriever for ducks. I need a dog that doesn’t get hypothermic swimming in July like my springer, and we’re not a lab family. You should get a female and test her out. If she's good, breed her and let me know.
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Re: American Water Spaniels
[Re: Pike River]
#7002122
09/27/20 05:12 PM
09/27/20 05:12 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,600 Oakland, MS
yotetrapper30
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trapper
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,600
Oakland, MS
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What is his technique, leading it with a Green & Gold thong? I have had a number of male Labs in my life. A couple of them, when they were around a year old, decided they growl at me when I was training/and/or disciplining them. I immediately grabbed them and put them on their back and bit them hard on the throat, growling and snarling myself all the time. I came up spitting hair but neither of those dogs ever growled at me again.
Moosetrot
~~Proud Ultra MAGA~~
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Re: American Water Spaniels
[Re: Pike River]
#7002464
09/27/20 10:20 PM
09/27/20 10:20 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,288 Mt.
g smith
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,288
Mt.
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Years back a old Kansas farmer (NE I think ) near MO . river said that was "The dog " everybody had them and they were good .He called them a brown Spaniel and they swam to retrieve from the Mo. river .
You can ride a fast horse slow but you can't ride a slow horse fast .
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Re: American Water Spaniels
[Re: Pike River]
#7002489
09/27/20 10:43 PM
09/27/20 10:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 302 Ohio
Keith Daniels
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 302
Ohio
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Never been around them, but I sold a Small Munsterlander pup from my first litter, a little over three years go, to a family in Seattle, Wa. that had one, it didn't know how to swim or was scared of the water, one or the other. He was planning on it primarily as a waterfowl dog, but would do some upland too.
I am not a waterfowl hunter, but a lot of people use them for it. They do spend a lot of time with me hunting marshes for rail and the occasional snipe, biggest problem is my male enjoys catching and killing coon and muskrats so much, sometimes he gets side tracked.
Very laid back family dog when not in the field.
Keith Daniels Retired OSTA President as of 4:50 P M 9/12/20
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Re: American Water Spaniels
[Re: Pike River]
#7003064
09/28/20 05:35 PM
09/28/20 05:35 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6 Northern Minnesota
Icanfixthat
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6
Northern Minnesota
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I have not posted for a very long time, but this got me out of the woodwork. I have a 3 and a half year old AWS. We did a lot of research before getting her. It was to be our first inside dog. I grew up with inside dogs, my wife did not and it took 30 years to convince her to try it. I had just lost my 125 lbs. Chesapeake, and was looking for a smaller dog. I grew up with springers. First the positives of the AWS: Powerful for their size, Hunt anything, Very low shedding, Smart (Too smart), Happy, Trainable, Super High Energy, ATTITUDE. Now the negatives: ATTITUDE, Possible skin issues,Super high energy, Eat everything until they explode, Unless trained-super possessive. We knew the negatives going in. My wife and I spent hours training her. We should have spent more time checking on the breeder. We ended up getting one from a not so reputable breeder. There just not that many breeders of the AWS out there. The e-collar was a must. Like any dog, you have to put the time in. Now, we would not trade ours for anything. I hunt 4-5 days a week, and she goes with me for everything, from doves to geese. They are not for everyone. They are not a lab or a brittany, but can do the work of both, plus she fits in the canoe.
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Re: American Water Spaniels
[Re: Wanna Be]
#7003170
09/28/20 07:45 PM
09/28/20 07:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570 Dunbar, Wisconsin
Pike River
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
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Beautiful dogs that look very much like a Boykin. I recently acquired a English Cocker. He just got back from Wagon training and will now make the transition to dove/duck dog while still doing some wagon work. The trainer asked if I’d be willing to let him use him on some hunts this year and that made my day. From what I understand the first boykin was just a stray AWS found wandering the streets in S Carolina.
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Re: American Water Spaniels
[Re: Icanfixthat]
#7003171
09/28/20 07:46 PM
09/28/20 07:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570 Dunbar, Wisconsin
Pike River
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
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I have not posted for a very long time, but this got me out of the woodwork. I have a 3 and a half year old AWS. We did a lot of research before getting her. It was to be our first inside dog. I grew up with inside dogs, my wife did not and it took 30 years to convince her to try it. I had just lost my 125 lbs. Chesapeake, and was looking for a smaller dog. I grew up with springers. First the positives of the AWS: Powerful for their size, Hunt anything, Very low shedding, Smart (Too smart), Happy, Trainable, Super High Energy, ATTITUDE. Now the negatives: ATTITUDE, Possible skin issues,Super high energy, Eat everything until they explode, Unless trained-super possessive. We knew the negatives going in. My wife and I spent hours training her. We should have spent more time checking on the breeder. We ended up getting one from a not so reputable breeder. There just not that many breeders of the AWS out there. The e-collar was a must. Like any dog, you have to put the time in. Now, we would not trade ours for anything. I hunt 4-5 days a week, and she goes with me for everything, from doves to geese. They are not for everyone. They are not a lab or a brittany, but can do the work of both, plus she fits in the canoe. Thanks for the response. Can you explain more about "attitude"?
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