History

There is much debate about the history of breeding and the origins of the Spanish Water Dog (Perro de Agua Español), as is the case with most domestic dog breeds. A few theories are presented here. Whichever theory you choose to believe, it is generally accepted that the ancestry of the Spanish Water Dog is closely linked to the history of the Spanish Merino sheep.

Rutimeyer's theory

Ludwig Rutimeyer (1825–1895), a Swiss biologist, mentions a carnivore, ‘Canis Familiaris Palustris’, associated with the inhabitants of the North Sea coasts. This “wild” dog developed into the ‘Canis Palustris’, the origin of the local group of water dogs that spread throughout the region. It was the ancestor of several breeds, now known as the Spanish Water Dog, French Barbet, Portuguese Water Dog and Irish Water Spaniel.

Doebel's theory

Doebel, a German cynologist, assumes an Asian origin for the water dogs. According to his theory, the dogs came with the Barbarians (Vandals, Alans, etc.) and were the ancestors of water dogs. The well-known breeds such as the Puli and Komondor are said to descend from them.

Buffon's theory

Buffon was a French biologist (1707–1788) who believed that the Spanish Water Dog originated in Africa. He describes a traditional water dog used by the tribes of North Africa for hunting in water. It is described as a dog with a curly coat, medium-sized and robust in appearance. In 711, the year of the Muslim invasion, it came with them to Spain. These dogs were used as herding dogs by the Berbers. The fact that no such dog is found in North Africa today may mean—according to a widely held theory—that the Spanish Water Dog originated in Andalusia and was bred there. Salas confirms this. His theory is that the Spanish Water Dog is a breed that originated in the marshes of southern Andalusia and that shepherds spread the dogs throughout Spain. Sheep were brought to Spain by the Phoenicians. Long before the Christian era, they established colonies in Spain. When the Moorish and Berber tribes from North Africa crossed the Strait of Gibraltar in 711 and conquered Christian Spain, they found millions of sheep there. Some authors have found documents referring to the Spanish Water Dog from the year 730 (mentioning a ‘wool dog’) and a document dating from the year 1000 describing a group of water dogs on the Iberian Peninsula.

Recognition of the breed

In 1975, two pioneers, Antonio Garcia Perez and Santiago de Montesinos, began documenting the Perro de Agua Español among shepherds, goatherds and hunters in the mountains of the Malaga and Cadiz regions, as well as among fishermen in Andalusia. They then set out to select the dogs they considered to have the most distinctive ‘Spanish Water Dog traits’ and establish a breeding program.

In 1980, the Perro de Agua Español Club (Spain) was founded in collaboration with the committee for Spanish breeds to promote the breed and help it gain recognition in its home country. From 1980 to May 1985, Spanish Water Dogs were ‘presented’ to the canine world at dog shows in Spain.

In 1985, Spanish Water Dogs were allowed to compete at the international dog show in Madrid. After this, the owners lent 40 Spanish Water Dogs from the Malaga and Cadiz regions and 5 from Santander to take part in shows in Spain. This ultimately led to FCI recognition of the Perro de Agua Español in Group 8, Section 3, under number 336 (S. Alonso, 2001).

What was the Spanish Water Dog used for?

Regardless of their origin, Spanish Water Dogs were used for a variety of tasks and worked wherever a dog was needed. They were used as herding dogs to move flocks of sheep or goats from one pasture to another. They helped fishermen on their boats and could retrieve equipment and stray fish that had escaped from the nets. They also carried the towline to shore so the boat could be pulled onto land, and guarded the catch once it had been brought ashore. These dogs could also be taken hunting and used as retrievers, especially in water. The breed is particularly known for its ability to dive underwater, staying submerged for some time and reaching depths of up to six metres.