Griffon Nivernais vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Griffon Nivernais vs American Water Spaniel - Breed ComparisonAmerican Water Spaniel is originated from United States but Griffon Nivernais is originated from France. American Water Spaniel may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than Griffon Nivernais. Both American Water Spaniel and Griffon Nivernais are having almost same weight. Both American Water Spaniel and Griffon Nivernais has same life span. Both American Water Spaniel and Griffon Nivernais has same litter size. Both American Water Spaniel and Griffon Nivernais requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Working dog
undefined
United States
France
Height Male:
36 - 46 cm
14 - 19 inches
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
Height Female:
34 - 44 cm
13 - 18 inches
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 20 kg
24 - 45 pounds
22 - 25 kg
48 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 18 kg
24 - 40 pounds
22 - 25 kg
48 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
1 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Amerikanischer Wasserspaniel • AWS • AM Water Spaniel
Chien Gris de St. Louis, Grey Dogs of St. Louis
Colors Available:
Liver, Brown, Dark Chocolate
Grey and fawn, black and fawn
Coat:
DOuble, Wavy and Curly, thick
Long, shaggy, coarse
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Alert, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

american water spanielThe 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.

griffon nivernaisThe Griffon Nivernais is a working breed dog originating in France and used as a hunting dog because of his exceptional scent skills and his alertness with hunting.

The idea was to develop a dog that looked much like the hunting dogs of the Middle Ages. French noblemen kept these dogs but the breed disappeared somewhat after the French Revolution, being restored again in 1925.

The restoration of the breed was done based on the Grand Griffon Vendeen but other breeds were also used such as the Otter- and Foxhounds. The breed has yet to receive official recognition by the AKC but it is recognized by both the FCI and the UKC.

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.

griffon nivernais puppy - descriptionAs a medium sized dog, the Griffon Nivernais stands at 55 to 62cm in height and weighs between about 22 and 25kg.

He is recognized easily by his distinctive rough or shaggy coat which is a grey with fawn around the muzzle and legs. Other colors can be black and fawn. Sometimes this blend of colors gives him a grizzled look in appearance.

He is also noted for the hairy eyebrows, a beard and mustache. He has dark brown eyes, black nose, long floppy ears and a tail that is held upright and with a slight curve. He is a muscular dog with a deep chest and a slight arch in the back.

Temperament:

Stubborn, courageous and independent, the Griffon Nivernais is a hunting dog with amazing scenting abilities. He is a dog used to working in a pack with other dogs so he tolerates other dogs well. He is a friendly dog, getting on well with children as well.

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.

griffon nivernais dog - characteristicsYour Griffon Nivernais is a sociable, stubborn, independent dog who loves to be around his human family members.

Socialization and training will do him good and round him off, making him obedient and responsive to your commands. He isn't an aggressive dog, but is even tempered and confident.

Exercise him well, feed him quality food, give him a nice warm, dry place to sleep, just like any other family member of yours, and you'll be rewarded with the companionship of a faithful, loving friend.

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.

griffon nivernais puppies - health problemsThe typical lifespan for your Griffon Nivernais is 10 to 14 years. Even though you're highly unlikely to spend much time with him at the vet, there are one or two common dog illnesses worth knowing about -

Ear Infections:

It is the fate of many dogs with floppy ears that they are prone to developing ear infections. You may notice him shaking his head canine, his ears may be red and there could even be a discharge.Get him to the vet as ear infections can be promptly treated with a course of medication.

Immunizations:

Remember to have your Griffon Nivernais puppy vaccinated at 6 weeks of age. Puppies are vulnerable to horrible diseases which can sap the very life from them. These diseases are distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus as well as rabies. The puppy’s first vaccinations should be at 6 weeks of age followed by a second vaccination 2 to 4 weeks later.

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.

Exercise:

griffon nivernais dogs - caringThis breed needs to be walked daily, and he needs a large space to run and play. Take him on walks, to the park, or give him a good game with ropes and balls.

Grooming:

In spite of his long, shaggy coat, the Griffon Nevernais doesn't need any special grooming and his shaggy coat will require brushing twice a week to remove loose hairs. When you brush him, you can also check for fleas and ticks.You get special flea combs for this. You can speak to your vet about recommendations too.

Because his coat is of a harsh texture it doesn't tangle or matt. Bathing will only be necessary when he becomes super dirty as too much bathing removes natural oils. He will need to have his nails trimmed if they don't wear down naturally, and he will also need to have his ears cleaned to keep them free of wax and dirt and to prevent ear infections.

Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week will also help towards preventing dental disease.

Diet:

He is a high energy dog so he will need to get top quality food. You can feed him the best commercially manufactured food but its to his advantage to include some home-made food too such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables. He'll also need some raw meat from time to time and a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Water Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. American Water Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. American Water Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. American Water Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. American Water Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. American Water Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. American Water Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. American Water Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. American Water Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. American Water Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. American Water Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. American Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. American Water Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. American Water Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. American Water Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. American Water Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. American Water Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. American Water Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. American Water Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. American Water Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. American Water Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. American Water Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. American Water Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. American Water Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. American Water Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Griffon Nivernais vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Griffon Nivernais vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Griffon Nivernais vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Griffon Nivernais vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Griffon Nivernais vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Griffon Nivernais vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Griffon Nivernais vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Griffon Nivernais vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Griffon Nivernais vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Griffon Nivernais vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Griffon Nivernais vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Griffon Nivernais vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Griffon Nivernais vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Griffon Nivernais vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Griffon Nivernais vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Griffon Nivernais vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Griffon Nivernais vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Griffon Nivernais vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Griffon Nivernais vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Griffon Nivernais vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Griffon Nivernais vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Griffon Nivernais vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Griffon Nivernais vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Griffon Nivernais vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Griffon Nivernais vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison