Comparison: English Springer Spaniel and Portuguese Water Dog

English Springer Spaniel and Portuguese Water Dog are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

English Springer Spaniel
Photo: Kruming, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Portuguese Water Dog
Photo: andreaarden, CC BY 2.0, source
English Springer SpanielPortuguese Water Dog
FCI group8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Country of originUnited KingdomPortugal
CategoryMediumMedium
Height at withers46–51 cm43–57 cm
Weight18–25 kg16–25 kg
Life span12–14 years11–14 years
Recognition features
  • Medium dog with a medium-length coat, often liver-and-white or black-and-white
  • Long drop ears and feathering
  • Square athletic build, shortened tail
  • Curly or wavy non-shedding coat
  • Often clipped in a "lion" clip
  • Strong, medium-sized build
CoatMedium-length flat or slightly wavy coat.Curly or wavy non-shedding coat.
PurposeA spaniel used to flush (´spring´) game within gun range and retrieve.Portuguese fishermen used it to herd fish into nets and carry messages between boats.

Breed page: English Springer Spaniel · Breed page: Portuguese Water Dog

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.