The American Water Spaniel is active, muscular and hardy. The broad head is moderately long and in proportion to the rest of the dog, with a moderate stop. The square looking muzzle is medium in length. The wide nose has large nostrils and is black or brown in color. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The wide set eyes vary in color from light yellow-brown to brown hazel to dark brown, depending on the coat color. The long, hanging ears are set at eye level, covered with curls. The legs are medium in length. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The well feathered tail is thicker at the base, tapering to a point and is medium in length, curved in a rocker fashion, and can be carried either slightly below or above the level of the back. The double coat ranges from wavy (marcel) to curly and comes in solid liver, brown or dark chocolate. There is sometimes a little white on the chest and toes (dogbreedinfo.c0m).