SPANISH WATER DOG CLUB UK
	So you think you want a Spanish Water Dog ?
	You have seen or read about our wonderful breed and have space in your home for a new dog but do you realise what they are really like? A bright, intelligent, curious, happy bundle of curls that forms a special bond with one member of the family so everyone needs to be involved in training the puppy
		A dog you can be proud to take anywhere and who will play for hours if that is what you want but also has an “off switch” as long as you know how to work it. But also a dog who will manipulate you if he can get away with it!
	They quickly make themselves at home but love training and knowing what is expected of them. They learn very quickly and will learn the wrong thing as quickly as the right one
		They are at home in the water, and adore any games where they can make a large splash. They love nothing more than spending time in and on the water with their owners, which is also very good for keeping their coats in good condition. Swimming is much better than soapy baths, which remove the natural oils from their coats.
	Spanish Water Dogs were used in their native land for hunting,
		herding………………..
	…………… fishing.
		................. and guarding
	They can be trained as highly skilled Search and Rescue Operatives. There are fully operational Search Dogs, as well as some in training, in the UK at the present time.
		They run like greyhounds………
	………..love anything that is not their own……..
		………….love being with their family but must be socialised with children early………..
	………….and if not kept amused are quite capable of finding their own amusement!
		So if you think you can cope with a clever, playful, determined puppy, with great strength of character. A puppy that loves nothing more than making a mess then this may be the breed for you.
	If you spend time with your puppy, take him to training classes, give him a loving home with clearly defined boundaries, and accept his independent, guarding nature then you can end up with a loving companion who will jump through hoops for you!
		…………….but…………….. we cannot promise that they will all be willing to wash the car for you!
	Before you finally decide this is the breed for you please have a look at the Top Ten Reasons below for owning or NOT owning a Spanish Water Dog – if you tick more boxes on the “Don't” list than on the “Do” list maybe you should consider a different breed that is more suited to your family's expectations.

Ten Reasons to have a SWD	Ten Reasons NOT to have a SWD
They are intelligent and very easy to train	They pick bad habits as quickly as good ones
They don't shed hair	They do shed leaves, muck and wet stuff after a walk – all over!
They love to work	They find their own “work” if untrained and bored
They are good for people who have allergies to pet hair	They are not completely hypo-allergenic – the coat holds dust
They are good “burglar alarms”	They guard very strongly if not trained and under control
They have a wonderful sense of humour	They are independent and fond of doing things their own way
They are good at agility	They can jump over, under or round anything that's in the way
They don't need to be groomed in the normal way	The coat needs a lot of care and they must be clipped at least once a year
They are very sociable with dogs and other animals	They can be assertive with other dogs and want to be “in charge”
They are generally healthy, easy to keep and long-lived	There are health problems in the breed e.g hip Dysplasia and glaucoma
If you have read all this and still think you want a Spanish Water Dog then here are some questions a breeder might ask you, and some for you to ask a breeder click here