Frequently asked questions.
This page is intended to answer some of the more common questions that visitors have regarding Little Brownies Kennel, Buying a Puppy, and the AWS. Scroll down the page to find answers to some of the common questions. We are always available to answer any questions by phone or email, so don’t hesitate to contact us in whatever way serves you best.
About Little Brownies Kennel
How many years have you been breeding American Water Spaniels?
Our first litter of puppies was born in September of 1992, and we have been breeding AWS ever since... 31 years!
How many litters have you bred?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) records, as of September 2023, we have produced 76 litters in our home and our stud dogs have been used by other breeders to produce another seven (7) litters.
How do you choose which two dogs to breed to each other?
We begin that process by calculating the coefficient-of-inbreeding for the offspring. If that is sufficiently low, to not create offspring that are highly inbred, we move on to further evaluation. Our breeding plans are always focused on multiple qualities that include companionship, health, fitness, temperament, and drive. We cannot concentrate on just one of those qualities nor can we sacrifice one in favor of another so we must do our best to achieve the highest quality in each category and hope for the best. When we are looking to produce a litter, the dogs we choose as sire and dam are those that we feel will, when combined, produce pups that meet those qualities.
Which health examinations do you obtain on your breeding stock?
Our breeding stock is examined, and OFA certified, for hip, eye, cardiac, and thyroid abnormalities where appropriate. Additionally, our dogs are genetically screened for Degenerative Myelopathy.
What kind of activities are your dogs involved in?
We do a great deal of field training for both waterfowl and upland hunting with our dogs. These days we run most of the dogs in AKC Spaniel Hunt Tests. In the past we have successfully competed in conformation and obedience trials and may do that again one day. Additionally, many of our pups have gone on to successfully earn titles in spaniel hunt tests, retriever hunt tests, agility trials, dock diving, flyball, and tracking.
At what age do your puppies go to their new homes?
We believe that the ideal age for a puppy to go to its new home is eight weeks, give or take a couple of days.
What physical characteristics and personality traits do you try to obtain with your breeding?
It varies by sire and dam of course but generally we want to produce AWS that are physically healthy, which is why we do the five health screenings listed earlier. Then look to produce AWS whose physical characteristics fall within the breed standard. We want to see the offspring exhibit broad heads, good muscle tone, and powerful legs for running, jumping, and swimming. A proper protective coat is also a goal of ours.
As for personality traits, we want to produce pups that make good companions, first and foremost. If your dog is not a good companion it is not going to be a great hunting partner, show dog, obedience dog, or serve you well in any sport. A dog that is friendly, wants to be with you, accepts strange dogs and visitors with little to no concern, is what we hope to achieve. We want to produce AWS that enjoy working, hunting, and have a great relationship with their human family.
What guarantee do you give with a puppy?
Our guarantee is built into our sales agreement and is found on this website, and you can read it by going to this link. It is considered one of the best offered in the breed and is provided in writing when a puppy is purchased from us.
What is the primary quality you are looking for when producing a litter?
Our breeding plans are always focused on multiple qualities that include companionship, health, fitness, temperament, and drive/hunting ability. We cannot concentrate on just one of those qualities nor can we sacrifice one in favor of another so we must do our best to achieve the highest quality in each category and hope for the best.
About Buying a Puppy
I have been told that you will not sell to duck hunters, is that true?
Absolutely not! We have no idea who started this rumor or why, but it is false. Not only is Paul a duck hunter, but so are many of his friends and most of the hunters that we sell puppies to. A lot of our previous duck hunting buyers have returned to us for their second or even third hunting companion. The moral here is don’t believe what some other AWS breeders tell you without investigating the information more thoroughly.
Do you ONLY sell to hunters?
No, we do not discriminate against people/families that are looking for a companion only and do not hunt. We know that some breeders do that, but we do not see that as being beneficial to the breed in any way. However, we do look for active families, as this breed does best when it has an active lifestyle.
Why do I have to fill out an application?
The buyer application is designed to help us do two things. First, we use it to determine whether one of our puppies is a good fit for your household. Second, the information you provide in the application is one of the tools we use to pick a puppy that we feel will meet your needs. The information you give us helps us to better understand your history with dogs, the current environment a puppy will be going into, and your plans for the pup’s future.
Do you require us to sign a contract?
Yes, our “contract” is referred to as our sales agreement and it must be signed and agreed to by both the buyer and us. The agreement is found on this website, and you can read it by going to this link. Unlike other breeders, we do not dictate to a buyer anything regarding breeding, hunting, showing in dog shows, and so forth. However, we are always here to assist in those areas where possible and we like to know early on, before puppy selection, what plans the buyer has for their dog.
Do you have a health guarantee?
Yes, the guarantee is a part of our sales agreement and can be reviewed by clicking here.
Do you require a deposit?
Absolutely, if you want to get a puppy from us you will need to put a deposit down on a puppy to be on our list. The minimal deposit is $300 and that is non-refundable unless we cannot provide you with the gender you requested. In that case, you often have the option of moving to another litter, taking a puppy of the opposite sex if available, or accepting a refund of the deposit.
About the AWS
I have heard that the AWS does not shed, is that true?
No, that is not true. The AWS does shed, however it sheds far less than many of the sporting dogs and the hair is often fine, so it does not embed itself into fabric. On a scale of 1 – 10, with ten being a heavy shedding dog like a Labrador, the AWS falls around a three or four on the scale.
Is the AWS hypoallergenic, like I have been told?
No. The AWS produces dander, sheds somewhat, and has a slightly oily coat, all characteristics of a dog that can affect allergy prone individuals. That said, there are many allergy prone people that can live with an AWS but cannot live with other breeds of dogs. Still, if you have an allergy to dogs you should research this further before considering an AWS.
I know the AWS is a hunting dog but I don’t hunt, is this going to bother the puppy when he gets older?
No, your dog is not going to know the difference between being a family companion or being a hunting companion. What the pup will want is to be loved, active, and a part of the family. That is more important to any dog than simply being a hunting companion.
I am a duck hunter, does the AWS do well in cold water/weather?
Yes, it works well in cold water. We have had several of our AWS that have had to break ice in the latter part of the duck season to retrieve ducks we shot. Now, one should understand that your responsibility is to take care of your dog, at least as much as you take care of yourself. You would not go into freezing water, breaking ice, without being properly prepared and neither should your AWS. Neoprene vests are required for our AWS and hopefully will be required for yours as well. Leave the macho attitude at home and do what is right for your dog.
I live in the southern part of the country; can the AWS handle the heat?
Yes, we have sold a lot of AWS to people in the southern reaches of the country, and they do well. Of course, be cautious in extremely hot weather, give the plenty of water, ways to cool down when needed, and don’t overdo exercise on very hot days.
What is better, a curly or marcel coat?
That is a debatable question and probably one that points more toward personal preference than a definitive answer. Curly dogs seem to shed water a bit better than marcels, but they also collect burrs a lot easier. Marcel coats are a bit easier to care for since you can have less debris caught in the coat. We have no preference one way or the other.
Can an AWS retrieve a goose?
Yes, it can and many of them do. Smaller AWS may drag in a very large goose but most of the AWS can carry geese without too much struggle. This is a powerful breed and if you have a tenacious AWS determined to retrieve, you will see some amazing work whether it is on a goose hunt, duck hunt, or any upland birds.
I know a guy that says his AWS would not go in the water. Don’t they like water?
Yes, AWS love water. Well, most of them anyway, and those that don’t probably were never properly introduced to water. Some take a little longer to show their love of water than others but most of them come around to it within the first several months of life. Again, it is really a matter of proper introduction and frequent trips to a lake, pond, or stream.
Are the AWS and the Boykin basically the same dog?
No. While it is generally accepted that the AWS was part of the foundation of the Boykin, the development of the two breeds diverged quite a bit.