They told me he was a Tweed Water Spaniel. Bullock crossed the Field Spaniel with the Sussex Spaniel and the English Water Spaniel. The American Water Spaniel remains a rare breed. They were very fond of our water spaniel, and would sleep with her. In 1570, Dr John Caius described the Water Spaniel. Similarly, the American Water Spaniel could be listed in either category. Other spaniels recognised as such are the Field Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel and Sussex Spaniel. The Irish Water Spaniel is a sturdy, cobby dog native to Ireland. Originating in Wisconsin, the American Water Spaniel is the Wisconsin state dog. Hector is a water spaniel who was bought for Hermann by his grandfather. The extinct English Water Spaniel was used to retrieve water fowl shot down with arrows. The Tweed Water Spaniel is now extinct, but was then common in the border country.