American Water Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison

American Water Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed ComparisonAmerican Water Spaniel is originated from United States but Artois Hound is originated from France. American Water Spaniel may grow 13 cm / 5 inches shorter than Artois Hound. American Water Spaniel may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Artois Hound. Both American Water Spaniel and Artois Hound has almost same life span. American Water Spaniel may have less litter size than Artois Hound. American Water Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance. But Artois Hound requires Low maintenance

History

american water spaniel - historyThe American Water Spaniel was developed in the United States. He is the state dog of Wisconsin and was developed there in the 19th century. The bloodlines of this spaniel are varied but certainly include the English Water Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel. Even though they are the state dog of Wisconsin they were almost extinct when Dr. Fred J. Pfeifer rescued the breed. The numbers had fallen after World War II because hunting was now a recreational sport and not needed to provide food for the family. He then started a breed club and wrote a breed standard, both of which were recognized by the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. When first developed the American Water Spaniel was known as the American Brown Spaniel. It was bred with a curly, thick coat so that it cold be sustained in Wisconsin winters and cold water. It was bred to hunt grouse, water fowl and prairie chickens as well as furry land animals. Pfeifer advertised his dogs for sale everywhere using a mailer that read: “, "The American Brown Spaniel is distinctively an American production. Hunters have known this type for years and it was through their efforts that this dog was propagated.... For years we have bred only selective stock, breeding for gameness, stability, courage, intelligence, and beauty. They are dogs to admire and trust under all conditions whether in the home circle or in the field with the outdoor man."[2]

In Wisconsin, around the wolf River and the Fox River, hunters were looking for a water dog that could also hunt on land. They needed a dog that could work a variety of fowl and game but who was small enough for a skiff and strong enough for the artic water temperatures of Wisconsin in the Winter. So, in addition to the spaniels named above, other breeds such as the Curly Coated Retriever, the Poodle, Native Indian dogs and the Sussex Spaniel were intermixed. When first developed the American Water Spaniel was known as the American Brown Spaniel. It was bred with a curly, thick coat so that it cold be sustained in Wisconsin winters and cold water. It was bred to hunt grouse, water fowl and prairie chickens as well as furry land animals. The American Water Spaniel was then itself used to develop another new breed, the Boykin Spaniel. In 1985 Wisconsin declared the American Water Spaniel to be the official state dog. Even so there remain only a few thousand dogs in existence. Though recognized by the AKC, they are neither spaniels nor retrievers and remain unclassified. Because of this they cannot compete in AKC field trials, but they do compete in AKC hunt tests. Though rare, the American Water Spaniel is a great hunting dog, retriever and companion.

artois hound - historyThe Artois Hound developed in France, essentially from the Picardy and Artois regions of northern France. The idea was to use them for the hunting of hares, fox and wild boars during the time of King Henry IV and Louis XIII. Unfortunately, with cross-breeding, the bloodline all but deteriorated and it took a couple of decades for the Artois breed to be restored.

After the 2nd world war, there was once again concern about the breed becoming extinct. A certain Mr.Audréchy from northern France stepped in and the breed was built up again. Today this hunting dog is essentially found in France, and a few hundred of them are registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), and both the FCI and the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognize the Artois Hound.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
United States
France
Height Male:
36 - 46 cm
14 - 19 inches
52 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
Height Female:
34 - 44 cm
13 - 18 inches
50 - 59 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 20 kg
24 - 45 pounds
28 - 30 kg
61 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 18 kg
24 - 40 pounds
26 - 30 kg
57 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
8 - 15
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Amerikanischer Wasserspaniel • AWS • AM Water Spaniel
French Artois Hound, Picard or Briquet
Colors Available:
Liver, Brown, Dark Chocolate
Tri-Colour - white, tan, black
Coat:
DOuble, Wavy and Curly, thick
short-haired
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Alert, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

american water spaniel puppy - descriptionThe American Water spaniel is a midsized, muscular dog. There is nothing flashy about his looks or his work performance. He is however a consistent, competent swimmer and hunter. His brown coat is wavy or tightly curled, waterproof and dense. His feet have thick pads and webbed toes. The AWS is intelligent, happy, and easy going. He is a very versatile hunting dog on land and in water. The breed has not changed much since it originated in the 19th century. They can be liver, chocolate or brown. The eyes should be the same as the color of the coat. They have broad skulls with wide, long ears and an undocked tail.

They have a square, medium sized muzzle and wide nose. They have a bite that is level or scissors. The legs of the muscular American Water Spaniel are medium in length and the tail is full, with a medium length, curved and feathered. The dewclaws might or might not be removed.

artois hound puppy - descriptionLooking much like the Basset Hound and also referred to as French Artois Hound, Picard or Briquet, the muscled Artois Hound is a descendant of the Bloodhound and a rare breed.

The dog is well built with a large head, large eyes and large, hanging ears. He has a short coat, with the main colours being white, tan and black.

The energetic Artois Hound is a medium-to-large sized dog breed, and by FCI standard, they should be 20 inches to 22 3/4 inches tall from ground to withers.They weigh between 25 – 30kg or 55 and 65 pounds, are well muscled and strong with a short, dense coat.

A Friendly Character – Gets on with Children

These dogs are known for their endurance, making them ideal as a hunting- or walking companion. The Artois Hound is full of energy and he will require plenty of boisterous activities as well as training and socialization.

Although this is an intelligent breed, he can be stubborn. He’s a friendly character and will get on well with children, loving their energy and games. He’s amicable, and will also get on with other pets in the home too.

Not Aggressive – won’t Pass as a Good Watchdog

Artois Hounds are loyal to their human families. They’re not particularly good watchdogs though as they aren’t aggressive dogs, being social and friendly.

Characteristics

american water spaniel dog - characteristicsBred to work the American Water Spaniels are loyal to their people, want to please them, but are not so great with strangers. They are stubborn and love to be the center of attention. They are often one person or one family dogs. They need an owner who is the pack leader and willing to put in the time to train them. However, they are a versatile breed and need variety in training and activities rather than repetitive activities. They are prone to resource guarding, slow maturation and dominance. These negative traits are dissipated with a strong leader, good training and a lot of daily activity. They are sensitive as well as stubborn. Do not use a punishment-oriented training with them. They will respond out of love and loyalty or not at all. This is a breed that wants to be the alpha over the people and will do so if you let him. Keep them fenced as being hunters they love to wander and will leave home whenever they can.

artois hound dog - characteristicsYour Artois is an ideal family pet when you provide him with the love and attention that any member of a family deserves. Buy your Artois from a reputable breeder so that all the excellent characteristics of this lively breed are found in your 4-legged friend.

A Devoted, Loyal Friend with an ID Collar

The Artois is just waiting to be your devoted companion and will promise unconditional friendship in exchange for quality food, veterinary care, exercise and attention. To make sure you never lose your pet, outfit him with a collar and ID tag so that should he become lost, the chances are far better that he’ll be found.

He’s Intelligent and Trainable – with Patience

A dog isn’t a human and you want to always make sure that you’re reasonable with what to expect from him. Most little problems with your wonderful friend can be solved with kindness, compassion and patience.

Health Problems

american water spaniel puppies - health problemsThe American Water Spaniel is a hardy, healthy breed without a lot of the genetic concerns of other breeds. Some of the concerns of this breed include vision, cardiac, hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy. They might also have skin issues and metabolic disorders.

artois hound puppies - health problemsThere are no known health problems that come as specific to the Artois Hound. The health problems that do develop are common ailments that can be found in most other dog breeds too.

Your Artois Hound will still need to visit the vet as a puppy for a thorough check-up as well as vaccinations and for any health issues he may have.

Oral Health

check for bad breath problems. Dental plaque can cause a nasty odour that will require dental treatment from a professional. The dog’s teeth can be maintained by brushing the teeth regularly with special canine toothpaste- and brush. However your dog’s bad breath could be indicative of other health problems such as diabetes.

Parasites, fleas, ticks and worms – there are many new treatments to manage these pests and your veterinarian will guide you towards a treatment for your pet.

Heartworm

if your pet is exposed to mosquitoes often, the insect carries the worm from dog to dog. Speak to your vet about treatment, more so when you live in a warm, wet area where mosquitoes thrive.

Vaccinations

Your Artois Hound puppy will have to be vaccinated with a combo vaccine to protect him from hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. They should have received their first immunizations by 8 weeks of age. Speak to your vet about rabies shots as well.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

american water spaniel dogs - caringFeeding the American Water Spaniel is no mystery. They need a high quality dry dog food with an eye toward calorie consumption. Some AWS have a tendency to become obese. Treats are important to the AWS in training but can add to the obesity concerns.

Health

Like other isolated breeds that were bred true, the genetic issues we see in many other popular breeds are not seen as much in the American Water Spaniel. They do however have a few issues to contend with.

Eyes: These issues appear to be inherited with progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Many AWS that develop cataracts do so at a very young age, usually under a year. Metabolic: Diabetes, hypothyroidism, glandular disorders and epilepsy. Baldness and Cardiac Issues. Orthopedic: Hip dysplasia. There is no evidence to suggest any elbow dysplasia. Additional concerns are hypothyroidism, allergies, epilepsy, diabetes and glandular disorders which Of course, the American Water Spaniel is an athlete who loves to be outdoors. He loves to swim, run and hunt. He needs daily exercise, or he can become loud and destructive. They thrive on having a job and they are not happy if they don’t have one. They are good at agility, obedience, dock diving and field trials. They also enjoy flyball and barn hunt.

artois hound dogs - caringThe beauty with the Artois Hound is that he is low-maintenance and he will only require the basic tender loving care to keep him happy and healthy.

Grooming

The Artois isn’t a high maintenance dog and the low-shedding, short-haired coat will required a good brush a couple of times a week to remove loose hairs. The dog only requires a bath when absolutely necessary as bathing dries out natural oils in the skin. Never use a human shampoo – only a proper dog shampoo.

Feeding

Artois Hound puppies up to 12 weeks will need to be fed every 6 hours. Puppies of 6 months and older can have 2 bowls of food, and from one year of age, one bowl of food may be adequate. It’s an individual choice as 2 smaller meals a day can also suffice. Speak to your vet about premium-quality dry- and wet foods as well as about making your own dog food. You want to ensure the foods eliminate mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Ensure there is ALWAYS a bowl of fresh, cool water within your dog’s reach.

Exercise

This is a hunting dog so he will need plenty of exercise. Without regular exercise, a dog like the Artois becomes frustrated and destructive. Your Artois is your 4-legged family member, and according to age and individual traits will benefit from throwing ball games, pulling on ropes and running while you cycle. The cherry on the top is that you benefit from the exercise too!

Comparison with other breeds

  1. English Springer Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  2. Brittany vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. English Setter vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. French Brittany vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. Boykin Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  6. Pudelpointer vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  7. American Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  8. American Water Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  9. Picardy Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  10. Braque d'Auvergne vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Ariege Pointer vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  12. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  14. Blue Picardy Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  15. Canadian Pointer vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  16. Deutsch Drahthaar vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  17. Clumber Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Stabyhoun vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  19. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  20. Vizsla vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  21. Large Munsterlander vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Tyrolean Hound vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. Cockalier vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Braque du Bourbonnais vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Cesky Fousek vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. East Siberian Laika vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  27. French Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  28. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  29. Finnish Spitz vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  30. Ariegeois vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  31. Beagador vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  32. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  33. English Water Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  34. Field Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. Artois Hound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  36. Curly Coated Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  37. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  38. Braque Francais vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  39. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  40. Shikoku vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  41. Slovakian Hound vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  42. Small Munsterlander vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  43. Sussex Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Kooikerhondje vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  45. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  46. West Siberian Laika vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  47. Wetterhoun vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  48. Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  49. Braque Saint-Germain vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  50. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds