A Yankee Doodle original, the American Water Spaniel hails from the state of Wisconsin, where in the town of New London Dr. F. J. Pfeifer developed this all-around sporting dog that could retrieve and flush for the upland hunter. Medium in size and colored in chocolate or liver, the American Water Spaniel excels as both a retriever and a spaniel. Author Paul R. Morrison, an active AWS breeder and sportsman, traces the breed's origins back to Civil War days, chronicling the many legends that have evolved about this curly-coated field spaniel. A friendlier, smarter hunting companion cannot be found;the AWS remains one of America's best kept secrets. This Special Limited Edition also discusses the breed's characteristics as a family dog and hunting dog, his personality and abilities and the breed standard. Each chapter is illustrated with color photographs, making this volume as handsome as it is comprehensive and useful. Chapters on selecting a breeder and puppy, rearing and training the puppy, grooming, feeding and much more provide the owner with a complete guide to this fun-loving spaniel. The book also provides an excellent introduction to dog showing and trialing, sports that welcome enthusiastic newcomers on a weekendly basis. A special chapter on preventive healthcare, written by renowned veterinarian Dr. Lowell Ackerman, provides up-to-date, accurate information on inoculations, parasites, spaying/neutering and much more.