The American Water Spaniel: A Wisconsin Treasure

While many endangered breeds hail from the United Kingdom, the United States has its own vulnerable native dogs. The American Water Spaniel was developed in the 19th century in the Fox and Wolf River valleys of Wisconsin—where it proudly serves as the official state dog,.

According to the American Water Spaniel Club, they were bred to retrieve waterfowl from small punts, skiffs, and canoes, making them compact, muscular, and exceptionally strong swimmers. Their deeply marcelled (wavy) or curly brown coat protects them from the freezing waters of the Great Lakes region. Despite their extreme versatility and friendly temperament, they have never found widespread popularity outside the American Midwest. Today, it is estimated that only about 3,000 American Water Spaniels exist in total,.