There are no such thing as 100% non-allergenic dogs, but there are some considered to be hypoallergenic dog breeds. These breeds tend to produce less dander and shed minimally. However, the American Water Spaniel is not one of them. The AWS is not considered hypoallergenic since they are shedders. Their loose hair can trigger allergic reactions to allergy sufferers. If you’re thinking of bringing home an American Water Spaniel, make sure you don’t have any allergies to dog hair or dander.
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What does Hypoallergenic Mean?
Do American Water Spaniels shed?
Due to the nature of the American Water Spaniel’s coat, you will need to brush its hair quite often to prevent mats from forming. Furthermore, you may want to brush its hair daily during shedding season, which typically occurs twice per year. You should only need to give your pet a bath once or twice a month if it needs one. Bath time is a great time to check your pet’s ears and clean out any excessive wax buildup. When cleaning ears, do not use a Q-tip: use the tip of a moist rag. Additionally, check your dog’s nails periodically and clip the tips of them with a guillotine-style nail clipper if they grow too long.
Are American Water Spaniels good apartment dogs?
Are American Water Spaniels easy to housebreak?
Do Labradors Cause Allergies?
If your American Water Spaniel is having skin problems or problems with food allergies, you will probably want to avoid foods that contain known food allergens such as beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. If your dog is having food allergies – which usually manifest as itching, redness, chewing, and hair loss – you will need to identify the trigger for his allergy. You can try to guess the trigger or work with your veterinarian on a food trial and elimination diet for your dog. You may need to find a novel protein for your dog – a protein that he has not eaten previously. Natural Balance has a selection of limited ingredient diets that can be helpful for dogs with food allergies. You might try giving your dog the rabbit formula, kangaroo formula, venison formula, or bison formula. He should be able to eat a meat protein that he has not eaten previously without having an allergic reaction.
How to prevent allergies
Groom your American Water Spaniel
Grooming your American Water Spaniel is fairly easy, it really comes down to weekly brushing. Their coat is made up of a wavy or curly, waterproof outer coat that comes in shades of brown, chocolate and liver. As well as a dense undercoat that keeps him warm in winter and cooler in summer.
Cleaning
The medium-length fur is made up of two layers and should be brushed twice a week to prevent it from getting tangled. American Water Spaniels love the water, but you should still get puppies used to bathing and showering carefully and step by step. This is only necessary with adult dogs if dirt cannot be brushed out of the fur, which is rarely the case. Then use a mild dog shampoo. Regularly check the lop ears and clean them with a special ear cleanser for dogs. You should also keep an eye on the claws – especially with older dogs or those which mainly walk on soft surfaces. Use claw clippers for dogs to cut claws that have got too long before your dog painfully catches them. Some dog owners swear by daily dental care with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. If you slowly introduce your dog to this ritual when it is still a puppy, this will provide a good basis for it having clean and healthy teeth into old age.
Designate Dog-Free Zones
Coat
The American Water Spaniels coat does not require too much maintenance. They are minimal shedders, but their thick coat can become matted and tangled if it is not given an occasional brushing.