It is one of the heritages of Spanish fauna but perhaps you have never heard of water dogs. Its history starts back in the middle Ages, with the arrival of the Arabs to the peninsula and it is currently one of the main pets in Spanish homes. It has numerous colors which allow you to choose between different options if you want to choose this type of animal as one of our domestic pets for our house.
In addition, they are really affectionate and easy to get along with, having a life expectancy that is between 10 and 14 years of age. Without a doubt, they are an excellent option for those who want to get a pet and fight against animal abuse.
What is a water dog and until when do they grow?
The water dog has its origin in Spain and is characterized by being an animal with a height between 40 and 50 centimeters, with curly hair that can be of multiple colors, with black, white and brown as the more predominant. The texture presented by this type of animal is very similar to that of sheep, in the form of wool. Therefore, it is difficult for her curls to go unnoticed by our eyes. In addition, they are of a really affectionate nature, becoming, without a doubt, one of the ideal pets to have in our home and to be one of our travel companions.
The affection that their eyes give off and their characteristic drooping ears make it impossible not to fall in love with one of them. In fact, they are one of the ideal dogs to be left alone at home due to their character and the ease of being tamed. They are really polite, and for sure, they will practically not give you any kind of problem during your daily routine.
Their physical characteristics are those of an athletic dog during the approximately 12 years they can grow. However, although they quickly warm up to everyone, the first impression of him is one of mistrust. Therefore, if when bringing someone home the dog is reluctant to contact, do not take it personally either.
Know the origin of the water dog
Once you know the main characteristics of the water dog and make it clear that 10-12 years is the average age until which this type of animal usually grows, you need to know the curious story about the origin of the water dog. Previously, you have read that it was the Arabs during the recon quest stage that brought it into Spain. This is because it is the theory that is given the most credibility.
However, in other cases, it is believed that this type of animal entered the peninsula many years later. Specifically, between the 18th and 19th centuries, when Turkish merchants exchanged goods with the Spanish. For this reason, in some areas it is known as “El Turbo”.
Despite everything, the theory that has given it the most credibility is that it came to our country during the Islamic period. He is an ideal dog for work in the mountains, something ideal in the Andalusia terrain that can be very abrupt, especially in Cádiz. In addition, he is also really useful for towing the ships that arrived from Africa with Ben Yusuf’s troops, before Boabdil had to surrender to the push of the Spanish troops upon his arrival in Granada in 1492.
Benefits of having a water dog
All in all, there are many benefits of having a water dog as a pet today for many reasons. Some of the most prominent are the following:
- Really domestic dog. This species of dog stands out for its poise, the ease of relating to human beings, and especially for being a very domestic animal. For this reason, it is an ideal option if you are looking for some type of pet.
- Lots of physical variety. The colors that we can find in water dogs are really different. Therefore, do not hesitate to look for different options if you are considering purchasing one because you will surely find the one that suits your needs and tastes.
- He is very polite. Education is one of the main characteristics of water dogs. Therefore, do not be afraid to leave him alone at home because he will take care of it and leave it as it was when you return.
- He does not shy away from human contact. Although the first impression of water dogs with respect to humans is one of distrust, they quickly adapt to the needs of their masters and, therefore, they do not cause any problems in both the short and long term.
How to take care of a water dog:
The water dog, despite being a truly independent animal, requires specific care as will happen with any type of pet that we want to acquire. In spite of everything, they do not present anything special that differentiates them from the rest of the animals of their species. You just have to stay, that like any dog, has a certain vaccination schedule. This is non-negotiable. If you want your pet to stay healthy over time, it should be vaccinated whenever necessary. In this way, complications that compromise your water dog reaching the expected age will be avoided.
Before injecting the first vaccine, the veterinarian must make sure to deworm the dog to also prevent it from being infected with the different parasites that threaten its health, and even the possibility that it can die. In addition, his immune system can cause him to have no effect on vaccines if this process is not carried out beforehand. Spaniels are a truly athletic type of pet, so the nutritional plan is also of paramount importance. It is estimated that about 270 grams of solid food is enough to guarantee your good level of health and physical exercise, without any problem.
Let us remember that, as with humans, food must be varied. Proteins, vitamins, minerals and fats, as well as carbohydrates and fibers. In this way, a correct growth of the animal is guaranteed. For this reason, feed and cereals are the two main food groups that the water dog must eat to reach those 10-12 years of growth that we mentioned earlier. Physical exercise is another of the fundamental factors of this type of animal. They are physically active, and therefore sports activities should not be restricted if we want to have a calm, affectionate pet that does not get stressed.
In fact, if you like to play with your dog, the water dog is one of the best you can find. The ball games, with ropes and making him run will delight him. In addition, as the dog grows, his physical activity must be higher. For this reason, if you are looking for a fatigued companion that can withstand your level, this type of dog is ideal for achieving your goals and being able to enjoy great sports and leisure moments whenever you want.
