Do American Water Spaniels shed?
Yes, American Water Spaniels do shed, though generally at a lower level than many smooth or double-coated breeds. Their dense, curly-to-wavy coat is water-resistant and naturally oily, which slows how quickly loose hair works its way out compared with a breed that sheds heavily and visibly, but it does not make them a non-shedding or fully hypoallergenic breed.
What the coat is actually doing
The breed's coat is built for working in water, with a texture ranging from tight curls to loose waves and a natural oiliness that helps repel moisture. This structure tends to hold shed hair within the coat rather than dropping it constantly around the house, which is often what leads to the belief that curly-coated breeds don't shed at all.
In reality, the hair is still being replaced in the normal way; it's simply released more gradually and often removed during brushing rather than found on furniture and floors, which is a meaningfully different experience for an owner even though the underlying shedding process is similar.
What this means for allergy sufferers
No dog breed is genuinely non-allergenic, since allergic reactions are usually triggered by proteins in saliva and skin dander rather than hair itself, and a curly, low-shed coat can still carry and distribute both. Anyone with a significant dog allergy should spend time around the breed before committing, rather than assuming a curly coat solves the problem.
That said, some allergy sufferers do report an easier time around lower-shedding, curly-coated breeds compared with heavy, double-coated shedders, likely because less loose hair and dander is being actively spread around the home.
Grooming to manage the coat
Because loose hair tends to stay trapped within the curls rather than falling out freely, regular brushing is important to prevent matting, which can develop more readily in this coat type than in a straight-haired breed that sheds more visibly.
A slicker brush or wide-toothed comb, used a few times a week, helps remove loose hair before it tangles, and periodic trims keep the coat at a manageable length, particularly around the ears and legs where matting tends to start first.
Bathing and the coat's natural oils
The breed's water-resistant coat relies on natural oils to shed moisture, so over-bathing with a harsh shampoo can strip these oils and leave the coat less effective at its original job, as well as drier and more prone to tangling.
A gentle, dog-specific shampoo used only when genuinely needed, rather than on a fixed weekly schedule, tends to suit this breed better than frequent washing, and towel-drying thoroughly afterwards helps stop a damp, curly coat from matting as it dries.
Kit for this breed
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Microfibre Pet Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.
From£10.99
Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.
From£13.99
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Common questions
- Is an American Water Spaniel a good choice for someone with allergies?
- It may suit some allergy sufferers better than a heavy-shedding breed, since less loose hair is spread around the home, but no breed is truly hypoallergenic. Spending time with the breed beforehand is the most reliable way to judge your own reaction.
- How often should I groom an American Water Spaniel?
- A few brushing sessions a week is a reasonable baseline to prevent matting, with more frequent attention during periods of heavier natural shedding, and an occasional trim to keep the coat manageable.
- Do American Water Spaniels need professional grooming?
- Many owners manage the coat at home with regular brushing, though a professional groom every couple of months can help maintain coat condition and catch any developing mats early, particularly in the denser areas of curl.
- Do American Water Spaniels shed more after swimming?
- Wet hair can appear to shed more simply because it clumps and becomes more visible when it comes loose, though swimming itself doesn't meaningfully increase the underlying shedding rate. Drying and brushing the coat afterwards helps prevent any loosened hair from matting into the curls.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.