My new AWS

C

CHAD MENGEL

New member
When i got home from a weekend duck hunt trip last Halloween weekend my wife and I took our two girls trick-or-treating. We came apon a little brown curly haired dog. We were not sure the breed so we had to ask. We found out that it was an American Water Spaniel, the Wisconsin State dog. Ever since that day i've been researching the breed and now i know that i want one. I pick him up on Friday, his name will be Benelli. From what ive read the AWS is a one of a kind breed and a great hunter and also a great family member.
 
Chad
Good luck with your new dog. Growing up in Wisconsin on the Mississippi in LaCrosse that breed was pretty popular among duck hunters. In latter years the lab has taken over. We had some shady dealers which hurt the breed early but don't know if that killed it's popularity or not. You're getting an excellent duck dog and only wish I were younger to start training one myself. Again, good luck and let us know how it goes.
wis boz
 
Chad,

You will have some fun and congrats on getting the new pup! I have two - my older female Suzie will be 13 here in May and was retired from hunting this past fall and my new pup Lily who is 7 months old and will be taking her place in the blind this fall. Do a search on my name on this forum for a few pics/video links. My little pup is lots of fun and progressing quite well for me. We need to get through this winter and spring so I can get her in the water.

Whose kennel will you be getting Benelli from?

Best of luck with the dog and share pics as she grows!

Nick
 
i'm getting him from Meadow Wood American Water Spaniels in NJ. I too am looking forward to spring im excited to start working with him. I will for sure put pics up when i get them here is one that i have of him.

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Congratulations Chad, excellent choice. I didn't realize there was a breeder in NJ. All my research and it never came up. My Curly came from Michigan. He is 6 months and doing very well. Your pup will have you trained in no time.
I will give you a piece of advise that Nick Wansha gave me that my wife ignored. NEVER EVER give the pup food from the table while you are eating. Even if it is a treat or his own food. They are chow hounds and will haunt you to death while you eat once that happens. Mine sits next to my wife waiting. He doesn't get people food but she started giving him Cheerios from the table when he was little. Now he expects it all the time. We eat at a high table so he can't see what we have but he would steal food if he could. You have been warned, right Nick?
 
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Ken,
Thanks for the heads up on that one. I will tell the wife and kids the same thing, We'll see how it works out. I know right now im going to hear "but he's soooo cute and hungry" lol we'll see. Yes I could'nt find a breeder in WI that had any pups and i found Meadowbrook on the net. they are out of Port Norris, NJ. www.awsnj.com
 
Good looking pup. If you have little kids, he will park his butt right under them at the table. Colby became a notorious begger and his head was at table height so you just saw his eyes moving with your fork. Bezubic gave him jerky once and everytime he heard Bill unzip his blind bag, he was right there...didn't matter if he had to scramble over decoy bags or another hunter.
 
I live about 20 miles from there. And on top of that I have never seen another AWS in NJ except for 1 in Brigantine that also came from Michigan. Go figure. My pup also has Swan Lake in his background. Your going to love your pup. They are smart and learn very quickly. Post pics from time to time also.
 
I was wondering if any of you had your pup flowen in, and what kind of genral condition were they in? im just wondering what i should be expecting when i get to the airport.
 
Chad, most reputable breeders that I had contact with when I was looking for a pup would NOT fly a pup. The reason explained to me seberal times was their experience with a pup after flight was traumatic to their personality. I had to meet the guy that sold me my Chessie. She is from Missouri. It was quite a drive but he made more than half the trip to accomodate me. I could not be happier with dog's personality than Sobe's. My .02
 
We had my wifes Spanish Water Dog flown into Detroit from near Delaware. Of course her brother was in the crate with her so maybe it wasn't so traumatic. We had an easy time of it and the pups got let out in the grass near the terminal and had fun sniffing everything. They are only in the crate for a couple hours and I think the airlines takes pretty good care of them.
 
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Mine is 1 year, 3 months old.

In a word, they are "Hilarious" animals. They looked like they were designed by a committee. Tail and tongue are too long, curly hair, honest to God mohawk haircut on top, fantastic family personality, way too sensitive (look at it the wrong way it'll hide), they eat like labs, they will steal food, they are smart. They are FAST. Classic spaniel, always looks birdy.

You will LOVE your AWS, we do.
 
Chad, Mine flew from Detroit to Philly. I opened the crate, he walked out tail waggin and tooka pee. He has been fine. He came air freight and we picked him up at Cargo City at the Philly airport. Cost me $212. I wouldn't think twice about doing it again.
 
All (3) three of my AWS's flew to Florida site unseen (Wisconsin/Idaho).

Just remember, they ARE NOT a lab.

Take your time & let them mature @ thier own rate & DO NOT go by the TIME TABLES in any of the training programs.

You'll shut the AWS down!!!

Good Luck!!!


CJ

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Here's an old article I dug up for you:

An American Water Spaniel 1st.​

H.R.C./U.K.C.​
First “Hunting Retriever” ​
Titled American Water Spaniel​
​

On Sunday, March 24, 1999, American Water Spaniel, “HR JK Hershey’s Kiss of Palm Bay” (Hershey) and his owner/trainer Captain Jeff Kraynik made Hunting Retriever Club/United Kennel Club history. Hershey became the first American Water Spaniel (AWS) to earn its “Hunting Retriever” title.

Just a little about myself, I grew up in a small farm town about 30 miles outside of Cleveland, Ohio. My summers were spent Walleye and Perch fishing on Lake Erie and my winters setting trap lines and hunting pheasant along the corn rows that we mistakenly forgot to harvest. During a good blow off the lake, a cistern that we buried in those same fields help keep us out of the cold on those early morning duck and goose hunts. While attending college, I found the job market in my chosen field all but non-existent and was forced to move to sunny Florida. By the way, it took all of ten seconds to make that decision.

During the next ten or so years, I found myself yearning for a steady hunting and fishing companion. My wife and I decided that we did not want a 90lb dog running around the house. After reading, writing, and speaking with numerous breeders and professionals, we elected to deviate from the norm and purchase one of the smaller retriever or spaniel breeds.

We were told that if we wanted a hard driving, versatile hunting retriever/spaniel, that an American Water Spaniel from Swan Lake Kennels, was whom we wanted to purchase our puppy from.


In September of 1996, Hershey was purchased sight unseen from John and Mary Barth of Swan Lake Kennels in Pardeeville, Wisconsin. I advised the Barth’s that I would be a first time retriever/spaniel owner and would be counting on their 30 + years of breeding to choose the right puppy for me. On Halloween of 1996, Hershey flew out of Madison, Wisconsin and arrived at the Orlando International Airport.

I began Hershey’s training like every other retriever/spaniel owner I spoke with. I made the retrieves as fun as possible and go by no set timetable. I enrolled Hershey in a basic obedience class here in town and completed two ten-week sessions. I then entered him in the next level of obedience to polish off the rough edges. During this time, I also began to progress with the retriever/spaniel portion of his training. I purchased several well-known retriever/spaniel manuals and tape sets.

Since Florida is well known for its large alligator population (1 million +), I also elected to utilize a Tri-Tronics training collar. There is no difference between a (2) two-foot, two-year-old baby, or a (12) twelve-foot, 50-year-old, 600 pounder’. Both can put a “hurtin’ “ on a dog under most conditions.

I won’t hunt Hershey in deep freshwater or deep saltwater inside the mosquito impoundments. On average, one hunting retriever or coonhound is lost to gators in my area each season. I wanted to make sure I had "Total” control of Hershey to pull him off a bird or direct him away from any unwanted visitors. Down here, no matter if its fresh or salt, where you have water, you must always assume that there are alligators present, and there are times when “the dogs must stay on the porch”.

We joined the Central Florida Hunting Retriever Club in Orlando, Florida to progress further with our retriever training. Since I was training Hershey and being an amateur myself, I also relied on training partners and friends with retriever’s closer to home. Several nights a week after work, we would get together at the local park or the police department shooting range for additional training.

At the Central Florida H.R.C. Spring 1998 Hunt, Hershey and I entered our first “Started” tests and received passes on both days. Due to the large jump in knowledge between the Started and Seasoned in handling and control of the dogs, I elected to run three additional Started tests at the Spring Hunts of Coastal Empire H.R.C. (Georgia) and Southeast Alabama H.R.C. (Alabama)

American Water Spaniels are capable of running and titling in hunt tests; they have been hunters for the last 160 years. The problem starts with the classification system of the American Kennel Club, who has the breed classified as “Unclassified”. This means that the AWS cannot earn points or titles in AKC spaniel or retriever events.

Since the parent club, The American Water Spaniel Club of America cannot or will not determine if the breed is a Retriever, Spaniel, or neither, the breed remains unclassified. In turn, there is now a second club; The American Water Spaniel Field Association that wants the AWS classified as a spaniel, so they can run in AKC spaniel events.

I have had several conversations with members of both clubs and questioned why the AKC designation was so important. I was advised this, both UKC and NAHRA recognize the AWS as a versatile hunting dog. For the owners that wish to compete along side only spaniel breeds, nothing currently exists due to the classification system of the AKC. If the AWS were classified as a Spaniel, this would accommodate these AWS owners.


But sad to say, in a recent vote of the members of the AWSC (Parent Club), it was determined that the AWS would remain unclassified with AKC for another five years. (note: At the time Hershey received his title, I belonged to neither fine organization) The newly elected president of the AWSFA, Steve Rodock in a recent article, ( May 1999/”Journal” of the AWSFA) stated that the organization will remain dedicated to the field training of the breed.

While at Southeast Alabama’s test, fellow Central Florida HRC member Bill Dumas and myself were first exposed to the new H.R.C. "Upland” test. Only reading about it and actually never seeing one, we elected to run it and see how the dogs and we perform.

The test started with a walkup and honor on heel of a bird that was thrown from a winger from atop a hill. Both handlers were required to fire at the bird while at the top of its arc. The working dog was sent while the honor dog remained at its handler’s side. After the bird was retrieved, the working dog would leave the field and the honor dog would continue with the test.


With both handlers firing, it was assumed that a second bird was hit and crippled. After a short walk on heel up the hill, a pile of bird feathers was located. This pile of feathers is where the dog would start the tracking portion of the test. Once you give the dog the command to “hunt it up”, no additional directional commands should be given. This test is not graded on handling, but how the dog works the trail to the bird.

The next portion of the test was quartering through a berry patch for two live-planted Chuckars. The dogs were required to quarter back and forth and work as much cover as possible. Once located, the first bird was launched from an automatic launcher and the second was a live flush. The dogs were required to be “steady to shot” on both birds. Once the retrieves were completed, the team would walk back to the starting position and become the working dog on the first bird thrown.

I was very impressed with the natural working ability of Hershey. With very limited training in this area, Hershey was able to pass four of the five portions of the test. (Hershey broke on the second honor bird that would have been his anyway) I was looking forward to running in more “Upland” tests in the future.

In the fall of 1998, we attended the Midlands H.R.C. Fall Hunt Test. (South Carolina). On that Saturday morning after looking at the terrain that the hunts presented to us, I thought to myself that we drove 8 1/2 hours for nothing. The area of Florida that I live and train is relatively flat. Midlands H.R.C. presented us with the challenges of sloping terrain, hollows, wind breaks, and stick ponds that we normally do not have the opportunity to hunt and train in. After two days of hunting, Hershey received two “Seasoned” passes in some conditions that he only first encountered up to this point. Other than a switch on the diversion bird on Sunday, Hershey ran two flawless tests.

I planned at the Central Florida H.R.C. Fall 1998 Hunt for Hershey to complete and pass his third and final Seasoned tests. If only plans always turned out to be reality. On both days “I” failed the tests. I committed the one amateur sin that we all read about and promise that we would never do. I over handled Hershey on the marks and blinds. For some unknown reason, I lost the trust and confidence in Hershey that I projected to him during the previous tests. What made it worse, I realized what I was doing and did not stop. I learned a lot about my best friend and myself that day.

At the Treasure Coast H.R.C. Spring 1999 Hunt, in Vero Beach, Florida, I again was failed on Saturday for over-handling Hershey on the 40-yard water blind. That evening I sat down with both judges and asked them to critique me blunt and hard on my failures. At the end of the reviews with the judges and their sheets, I figured I’d keep the whistle out of my mouth tomorrow.

First up Sunday morning was the land test. The weather was a ducky day, cloudy, windy, and rainy as a wintertime front blew through. We drew the second to last running position of the hunts. While airing Hershey out, we looked at each other and I said nothing to him, just a “big hug and a good boy pat on the head”.

After a minute or so of waiting in the holding blind, Hershey began to fidget and refused to sit. I reached to push his butt down and immediately realized why he would not sit still; we were both covered in hundreds of stinging fire ants. Because of the rain, I did not see the anthill that I sat him in. We immediately left the blind and I tried to brush most of them off prior to being called to the line. Needless to say, my stress level went right through the roof. At the end of the day, Hershey completed his water retrieves and received a passing grade from the judges, even after the fire ant incident. Hershey became the 1st American Water Spaniel to receive its “Hunting Retriever” title.

Next up for Hershey, is to make a lateral move and continue to pursue the “Upland ” title prior to moving on to “Finish”. In gaining the experience and control over Hershey in the Upland, it will take the edge off when we begin our finished tests. Hershey is a natural quarterer and marker. I have been blessed to receive comments on how well he works the cover and uses his eyes, ears, and nose. I’m looking forward to continuing the new challenge of the Upland and Finished tests and completing my apprenticeship for judging H.R.C. hunt test events.

I’ve come to appreciate that the AWS ’s are not as popular as the Labradors or Golden Retrievers or sadly, the Boykin Spaniels. With only 300 or so American Water Spaniels being breed and registered each year, and bloodlines being so protected, the health problems seen in the more popular retriever/spaniel breeds are all but non existent. (i.e.: eyes/hips/elbows)

The history of the American Water Spaniel originated in the Fox River Valley of Wisconsin around 1840. Settlers moving west found a little brown dog living among the Indians as their pets and companions. The little brown dog became known as the “Indian Dog” during that time. These settlers, who made their living as “Market Hunters” were looking for a smaller retriever for feather and fur that would not tip over their tiny skiffs that were used for hunting and setting trap lines. After some additional selective breeding by the hunters, the American Water Spaniel is what we have today.

Today’s American Water Spaniel comes in three colors, brown, liver, and dark chocolate. The coats are tightly curled to Marcel (wavy) to shed the cold water of the Midwest. Males stand between 15’-18’ tall at the shoulder and weigh between 35-45lb.’s, though slightly taller and heavier dogs are available. The females stand between 13’-16’ tall at the shoulder and weigh between 30-40lb.’s. American Water Spaniels are the only spaniel breed with its tail not docked. The tail is actually used by the dog as a rudder in swift moving water. The American Water Spaniel is one of only three sporting retriever breeds that originated here in the United States. The other two are the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Boykin Spaniel.

Being a part-time alligator, duck and flats fishing guide for the past five years, I’m looking forward to hunting Hershey with more of my clients. Hershey and I have been fortunate during the past two and a half years to hunt duck, geese, quail, dove, and snipe in Florida, Texas, and Mississippi. At the conclusion of this article, Hershey was one pass away from earning his “Upland Hunter” title. I can’t wait till fall.

In closing, I would like to thank the following individuals. Without their guidance and support, none of this would have been possible: H.R.C. Retriever Judges Barry Holliday, Bobby Williams, Patricia Quinn, Kim Parkman, Curtis Hodge, Phillip Freeman, and Betty Hoyt. H.R.C. Upland Judges Jim Hodges and Jack Noonan. Trainers Mike Lardy, Richard Wolthers, Ken Roebuck, Pam Kadlec, Greg Bachnik, Kevin Curtain, Bill Dillard, Tony Rushing, and Jim Meyers. Anyone interested in an American Water Spaniel can contact Jeff at (321) 725-3456
 
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Thanks everyone for your insight on the AWS I picked him up from the airport today and just like Ken said he came out slow and shy but tail waggin and ready to play. We have him home now and hes starting to warm right up to everyone in the family..
 
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