Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus American Water Spaniel: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel
- Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Australian Shepherd
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of American Water Spaniel
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of American Water Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than American Water Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the American Water Spaniel?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the American Water Spaniel?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about American Water Spaniels?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the American Water Spaniel?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the American Water Spaniel
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and American Water Spaniels?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Water Spaniel?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about American Water Spaniels?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. American Water Spaniel
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus American Water Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the American Water Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the American Water Spaniel.
Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel: Overview
Both the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the American Water Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the American Water Spaniel based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | American Water Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 25 to 45 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 77.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 159 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the American Water Spaniel. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the American Water Spaniel is 71 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the American Water Spaniel, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the American Water Spaniel.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel
The Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the American Water Spaniel weighs 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. The American Water Spaniel is 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel
Australian Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
American Water Spaniel Colors
The American Water Spaniel comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
The American Water Spaniel comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the American Water Spaniel is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the American Water Spaniel is 13.5 years.
The American Water Spaniel live as long as the Australian Shepherd.
Temperament of the American Water Spaniel Versus the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the American Water Spaniel.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent while the temperament score for the American Water Spaniel is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the American Water Spaniel has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 9 American Water Spaniels.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of American Water Spaniel
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the American Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the American Water Spaniel is 159 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of American Water Spaniel
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | American Water Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 144 |
| 2014 | 18 | 160 |
| 2015 | 17 | 157 |
| 2016 | 16 | 156 |
| 2017 | 17 | 167 |
| 2018 | 15 | 166 |
| 2019 | 13 | 164 |
| 2020 | 12 | 158 |
| 2021 | 12 | 166 |
Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of American Water Spaniel
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the American Water Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the American Water Spaniel.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 3 tests are recommended for the American Water Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in American Water Spaniels.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
American Water Spaniel Health Problems
American Water Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Water Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a American Water Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Water Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Water Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Water Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Shepherds and American Water Spaniels
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.
This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the American Water Spaniel Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the American Water Spaniel ranks 16 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 160 American Water Spaniels, 6 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in American Water Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in American Water Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Shepherd and in American Water Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel:
| Disease | Australian Shepherd Rank | American Water Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts problems | 1 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 2 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 7 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 12 out of 70 dog breeds | 21 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | 19 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 28 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 60 out of 159 dog breeds | 38 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 66 out of 115 dog breeds | 95 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 77 out of 144 dog breeds | 122 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 103 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 133 out of 182 dog breeds | 16 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 150 out of 198 dog breeds | 133 out of 198 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
American Water Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than American Water Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
American Water Spaniels shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the American Water Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
American Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the American Water Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
American Water Spaniels do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about American Water Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
American Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the American Water Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
American Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the American Water Spaniel
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
American Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and American Water Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
American Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Water Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
American Water Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about American Water Spaniels?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
American Water Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
American Water Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. American Water Spaniel
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
American Water Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
American Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the American Water Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
American Water Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the American Water Spaniel?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
American Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the American Water Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Australian Shepherd versus American Foxhound Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Australian Shepherd versus Dutch Shepherd Australian Shepherd versus Airedale Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Great Dane Australian Shepherd versus Saint Bernard Australian Shepherd versus Cesky Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Irish Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Chinook Australian Shepherd versus Siberian Husky Australian Shepherd versus Braque du Bourbonnais Australian Shepherd versus French Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Belgian Sheepdog Australian Shepherd versus Pyrenean Mastiff Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Australian Shepherd versus Bernese Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd versus Papillon
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus American Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the American Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.