Many Spaniards feel lonely without the company of animals and, for this reason, they opt for a pet that is usually a dog or a cat, although cats are usually discarded because they are less affectionate and, in addition, they have enormous problems with pets. Sofas and the way they leave everything covered in hair and torn apart by the use of their claws.
For this reason, dogs are chosen. Among these, we can find numerous species, among which the water dogs stand out. The name may lead one to think that they are dogs that spend their time in the water. It is true that they do well in the water swimming, but they have many more qualities that you should know to adopt them.
What are water dogs?
Water dogs are one of the most characteristic animals of the Spanish fauna. They usually measure between 40 and 50 centimeters, and have curly hair that defines them. In fact, if we see a water dog it is almost impossible not to recognize it. They present multiple hair options at the coloration level, being able to choose between black, white or brown as the main or majority options. They are very affectionate, and their curls are also very pleasant to the touch. In fact, they can be compared to sheep in many cases. Their lifespan is usually between ten and fourteen years, so there is plenty of time to enjoy this type of pet if one wishes. These types of dogs are characterized by being very active and doing a lot of physical exercise. Even as the years go by, they increase their sports activity and, therefore, we have to mortgage a greater part of our time so that they do not get nervous.
For the rest, like the rest of the pets, it is enough to follow the veterinary check-ups comply with the corresponding vaccination program and, above all, do not subject it to any vaccine until any possibility of parasite has been previously eliminated. Food is also essential. They are dogs with great wear and tear and require a fully balanced diet based on proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals and vitamins, as if it were a human being. At the level of quantities, about 270 grams of feed or cereals is usually enough to meet the appropriate standards.
The curious origin of water dogs
Before explaining the benefits and how you should correctly educate a water dog, you need to know the curious theories that surround the origin of this funny animal. On the one hand, there are, although it is a minority, those who think that the water dogs arrived in the Peninsula in the middle of the 18th or 19th century, disembarked by the Turks who had commercial relations with the Spanish. However, due to its characteristics, the theory that it was the Arabs who introduced this type of dog during the Reconquista period is more accepted. Why? They are mountain dogs, which were very useful during their work in the mountains of Granada or Cádiz.
In addition, they were also very useful in towing the ships that arrived directly from Africa led by Ben Yusuf, until the Catholic Monarchs managed to put an end to the reign of Boabdil de Granada back in 1492. It was the year of greatest splendor of the empire. Spanish, coinciding with the discovery of America and the expulsion of all Arabs and Jews from the Peninsula. In this sense, the characteristics of water dogs coincide more with this type of theory.
Benefits of having a water dog
All in all, there are numerous benefits to choosing a spaniel as a pet and traveling companion. Some of the most prominent are:
- Easy to connect with them. This type of dog is really affectionate and, therefore, they can connect very easily with humans. If you are looking for a little affection, without a doubt, the water dog is a fantastic option to achieve this goal.
- Athletic dog. If you are a sports lover, without a doubt, the water dog is the perfect companion. As we have said before, it is a type of animal that every time it grows more, it likes to carry out physical exercise more.
- They are very domestic able. One of the main qualities that describe the ease that this type of dog has to connect with humans is how easy it is to tame them, and even leave them alone at home without having to worry.
- Variety of colors. This type of dog, in addition, presents a great chromatic variety at the level of appearance. They can be black, white or brown and, therefore, adapt to the needs of the person who wants to acquire a dog of the water type.
How to train water dogs:
The vitality and energy that water dogs give off are two of their main characteristics and that we must take into account both when educating and training this type of dog. One of the aspects that we must take into account in order not to make mistakes is to follow your process to the letter. In this way, we will achieve all the necessary objectives to be able to enjoy our pet. On the one hand, you should know that like any type of mammal, the presence of their mother figure is really important during their first years of life.
During the first two and three months, separating a water dog from its mother figure can end up becoming a mistake, since it needs to be fed properly and get used to the environment in which it finds itself. From four to six months, the animal itself will begin to be ready to be somewhat more independent. From then on, the first step is to get the dog to learn to socialize with humans, in addition to getting used to the presence of other animals in the house if there are any. They are very affectionate, but if we do not manage to overcome this phase it will be really difficult to achieve our goals. In fact, at this stage the presence of third parties can be of great help. Water dogs tend to distrust strangers and, therefore, it can be helpful for it to have interaction with others besides its master and prevent it from attacking others.
The next step is to start your training. The dog must be able to respond to stimuli such as calling it, sitting it down or chasing any object that we can throw at it. However, this process must always be carried out with positivity, and never with boos or bad words. His character will help you better assimilate these types of concepts if you follow these instructions. Otherwise, the process may be delayed. This must be accompanied by the progressive physical exercise that the body of a water dog demands. Therefore, this training must be carried out both in open and closed spaces. Following the process properly will allow the water dog to adapt as quickly as possible to the new scenario and to feel comfortable as soon as possible. In this way, communication and synchronization between the pet and the owner will be easier.
