About Us
Cow Creek History
Cow Creek AWS are located in Spring Grove, Virginia and Currituck, North Carolina. We hunt the waters of the Chesapeake Bay & Back Bay, Va. and the Currituck Sound, NC. We obtained our first American Water Spaniel in 2003 after many years of hunting with Labrador Retrievers. We decided to try a smaller breed dog after we changed our hunting style from hunting in big shore blinds to mostly hunting in float/boat blinds. (The smaller dog took up less space in the float blind.) We also wanted a breed that was very capable as a hunting partner, could withstand cold water temperatures and excel in the upland field. In our opinion, choosing this breed was the best decision we could of possibly made !!
Pictured left: HRCH UH Carolina's Duck Gumbo MHA SHR RN WDS TDI 1560 HRC Points (3rd Highest Spaniel All-time)
Experienced Breeders
As Breeders, we want to produce dogs that stay true to the Breed Standard and meets your hunting needs. Our goal is for you to have a dog that is a good companion in the home and the field. We get health clearances on all of our dogs for Hips, Heart, Eyes and DM Genetics.
Pictured right: HR CH Carolina's Cow Creek Pirate SH WDS
AWS History
The AWS is a rare breed that originated in the State of Wisconsin. It was originally used by hunters and market hunters to retrieve, flush and guard game. The modern day AWS excels as both a waterfowl retriever and an upland hunter. They are a medium statured dog that stands 15" - 18" tall and weighs 30 - 45 pounds. They are an intelligent & happy-spirited dog that has plenty of energy in the field, but very capable of settling down back home after the hunt. Many AWS have proven themselves in a variety of venues that include Hunt Tests, Dock Diving, Obedience tests, Agility tests, Rally, Drug dogs and Therapy dog to name a few. Lastly, the AWS has very few health problems and this is a characteristic that can be attributed to the many years of ethical breeding practices of responsible breeders.
Cow Creek Testimonials
Submitted by Chip Anderson on Sept. 20, 2008
I grew-up on the Atlantic Tidewater where waterfowl and Retrievers were king. Of the many labs, chessies and goldens I saw...none impressed me more than one American Water Spaniel owned by an old time shooter named Tom Marshall. I was so impressed with the intelligence and easy nature of this dog I dreamed of some day owning one myself. Since those early days I have had the good fortune to hunt and guide hunters on 5 continents and over 12 countries...working many dogs of a variety of breeds. But when it came down to purchasing a dog for my own personal pleasure I couldn't think of a better breed than an AWS. Having purchased our Maggie from Cow Creek Kennel in November of 2007...she has proven to be a credit to her breed and a true pleasure in the house and the field. She has such a remarkable intelligence, combined with a keen desire to please. She is very gamey and without very much formal training. Maggie has become, at only one year of age, a super little bird dog...retrieving doves, flushing quail and incredible on cripples!!! A superior nose if there ever was one. I can't thank you enough for this wonderful addition to my life. Thanks again to your kennel and your breeding between UH HR Nighthawks Carolina's Nappy Brown MH WDS TDI and UH HR Cow Creek's Sweet Jasmine WDX this has truly produced a wonderful hunting companion.
Submitted by: David McCracken - Carolina American Water Spaniels
on Dec. 19, 2008
Dear Steve,
I knew that a Nappy & Jazz breeding would have to produce some good pups. However, Gumbo has exceeded even my expectations. At 15 months old, he is all the hunting dog anyone would need or want. He retrieves ducks, geese and doves. He loves upland hunting and has passed his first 2 HRC Upland tests. He will get his Upland Title in the Spring to go with his HR title he earned when he was 13 months old. I dare say that 2009 will see him earn a HRCH title. Gumbo's disposition is laid back, but he lives to train and hunt, doing both aggressively. He loves people and gets along well with other dogs. We truly got the best of Nappy and Jazz with this breeding.
Submitted by: Billy Broderick on April 13, 2009
I've been hunting waterfowl foe 21 yrs. and for most of those years I spend 50 to 55 days in the field. My crew and I average about 400 birds per year and in Kentucky this is hard core - so I know what kind of dog it takes to perform. I have hunted with Labsand Chessies and was unsure about switching to an American Water Spaniel because of there size and the lack of people who have them. Which leads me to Steve O'Neal / Cow Creek Kennels and the best money I have ever spent. He walked me through every step and after a few phone calls I felt like I had known him forever. He is a first class person. My dog Gator is now 4 months old and blows me away. Everyday his drive and determination to please me is second to none. These are big dogs in a little package and at eight weeks when I first got him - he could carry a mallard. So, I promise they can carry a goose. I'm hooked for life on American Water Spaniels and Cow Creeks line. Leaving no doubt my choice to switch breeds and everything Steve told me about AWS was fact. Thanks for everything!!
Submitted by: Al Hillard on January 8,2021
My experience with Cow Creek has been a great experience. They care about there pups and produce some great dogs. My little brush busters are some of the best upland flushers I have ever had and wouldn't trade them for anything!!