History

The breeding history and origins of the Spanish Water Dog (perro de agua español) are much debated, as are most domestic dog breeds. Some theories are presented here. Whichever theory you want to believe, it is generally believed that the lineage of the Spanish Water Dog is closely tied to the history of the Spanish Merino Sheep.

Rutimeyer's theory

Ludwig Rutimeyer (1825-1895), a Swiss biologist, mentions a carnivore 'the Canis Familiaris Palustris' associated with the inhabitants of the North Sea coasts. This 'wild' dog developed into the 'Canis Palustris' which was the origin of the local group of water dogs that spread: this was the ancestor of several breeds. These are now known as Spanish Water Dog, French Barbet, Portuguese Water Dog and Irish Water Spaniel.

Doebel's theory

Doebel, a German cynologist assumes the Asian origin of the water dogs. According to his theory, the dogs would have come with the Barbarians (Vandals, Alani, etc.) and are the precursors of water dogs. The well-known groups such as the Puli and the Komodor are said to have descended from this.

Buffon's theory

Buffon was a French biologist (1707-1788) who assumed that the Spanish water dog is African in origin. He tells of a classic water dog that was used by the tribes of North Africa for hunting in the water. It is described as a curly, medium-sized dog with a robust appearance. In 711, the year of the invasion of the Mussulmans, he came to Spain. These dogs were used as herding dogs by the Berbers. The fact that there is no such dog in North Africa today could mean - a theory with wide support - that the Spanish Water Dog is a dog that originated and was bred in Andalusia. This is confirmed by Salas. His theory is that the Spanish water dog is a breed that originated in the swamps of southern Andalusia and that the dogs were spread all over Spain by the herders. Sheep were imported to Spain by the Phoenicians. Long before the Christian era they founded 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 relating to the Spanish Water Dog from AD 730 (which mentions 'Wool Dog') and a document from AD 1000 describing a group of Water Dogs in the Iberian Peninsula.

The recognition of the breed

In 1975, two pioneers, Antonio Garcia Perez and Santiago de Montesinos, started to inventory the Perro de Agua Español among shepherds, goat herders and hunters from the mountains in the regions of Malaga and Cadiz and among fishermen from Andalusia. Then they started to select the dogs with the most striking 'Spanish Water Dog characteristics' in their opinion to start a breeding program.

The Perro de Agua Español Club (Spain) was established in 1980 in collaboration with the Spanish Breed Committee to promote the breed and help it gain recognition in its own country. From 1980 to May 1985, at dog shows in Spain, Spanish Water Dogs were 'introduced' to cynology.

In 1985, a Spanish Water Dog was allowed to enter the Madrid International Dog Show. After this, 40 Spanish Water Dogs from the region of Malaga and Cadiz and 5 from Santander were loaned by the owners to participate in shows in Spain. This eventually resulted in the FCI recognition of the Perro de Agua Español in group 8, section 3 with the number 336 (S. Alonso, 2001).

What was the Spanish water dog used for?

Regardless of its origin, the Spanish Water Dog was used for a variety of tasks and worked wherever a dog was needed. They were used as herding dogs to move the flocks of sheep or goats from one pasture to another. They helped fishermen in their boats and were able to retrieve material and stray fish that had escaped from the nets from the water. They also carried the tow rope ashore to pull the boat ashore and guarded the catch once landed. These dogs could also be taken hunting and used as retrievers, especially in the water. The breed is best known for its ability to dive underwater and then stay deep under water for a while, diving as deep as six meters.