Alt Text
Hill’s Brand Horizon

Irish Water Spaniel

dog Breed Profile

Distinguishing characteristics are a topknot of long, loose curls and a body covered with a dense, crisply curled, liver-colored coat contrasted by a smooth face and a smooth rat tail. With the smooth face you also get a beard growing at the back of the throat often accompanied by sideburns.

Attributes

Floppy ears (naturally)

Size

Weight

55-65 lbs.

45-58 lbs.

Height

22 in.

(at withers)

23 in.

Coat

Length

Medium

Color

Solid liver

Care

Exercise

>40 minutes/day

Energy level

Average

Longevity

10-12 yrs.

Needs

Moderate

Traits

Barking

Low

Snoring

Low

Drooling

High

Digging

Low

Grooming Needs

High

Social Needs

Moderate

Club recognition

AKC Class.

Sporting

UKC Class.

Gun Dog

Prevalence

Rare

The Irish Water Spaniel Dog Breed

Irish water spaniels shed little and are an excellent pet for most people with allergies.

About the Irish Water Spaniel

Distinguishing characteristics are a topknot of long, loose curls and a body covered with a dense, crisply curled, liver-colored coat contrasted by a smooth face and a smooth rat tail. With the smooth face you also get a beard growing at the back of the throat often accompanied by sideburns.

Irish Water Spaniel personality

Still a relatively rare breed with the American Kennel Club, the Irish water spaniel is sought after for its desirable characteristics of being an excellent hunting and water dog. Powerful, it has a strong desire to please, as do many hunting dogs.

Because of its great intelligence and inquisitive nature, the Irish water spaniel has the reputation of being the clown of the spaniel family and can often obey you in the most unique and amusing ways!

A devoted companion, this dog can be an exceptional watchdog if properly socialized from an early age. Socialization is particularly important if you want this exuberant dog to live with small children. While this breed has the courage to protect itself or its owners when needed, the dog has been bred for the characteristic of not barking excessively.

The Irish water spaniel is an alert and inquisitive dog. He can often be reserved with strangers. However, aggressive behavior or excessive shyness should not be tolerated. A stable temperament is essential in a hunting dog.

Breeders have worked hard not to make a distinction between field dogs and show dogs. Because the Irish water spaniel is not a highly sought show dog, breeders have been able to follow breeding programs that produce the type of sporting dog most desired: that of a good family companion and a marvelous retriever.

The Irish water spaniel can also be a true dual-purpose hunting dog, used for upland game as well as waterfowl.

What to expect

Irish water spaniels shed little and are good for most people with allergies. They need a good, thorough brushing about once a week. The face and tail are naturally smooth but may need to be neatened occasionally. A thorough combing to the skin should take place every one to two weeks to promote healthy skin and to remove any objects from the coat. These dogs  can be trimmed about twice a year but not clipped down like a poodle.

History of the Irish Water Spaniel

A dog of ancient lineage, the Irish water spaniel can be traced back to the days when spaniels were divided into land and water varieties. A book printed in 1607, Historie of the Foure-footed Beastes, describes and illustrates the waterSpagnel.

As the name implies, the Irish water spaniel was developed in Ireland from two different breeds that were in existence before the 1850s: the South Country water spaniel and the North Country water spaniel. Recent research indicates that common ancestors may have included the poodle, Barbet, and Portuguese water dog. History shows the breed taking its present form in the 1830s and its development being credited to Justin McCarthy and his dog, Boatswain.

The Irish water spaniel quickly gained popularity with Irish and English sportsmen for its bold and daring retrieves, its extreme hardiness in the cold North Sea waters, and its superb disposition. By the mid-1870s, the reputation of the Irish water spaniel was known in America, and a number were brought over at that time. Records show that in 1875, the Irish water spaniel was the third most popular sporting dog in the U.S.

Adopt a pet.
Change a life.

Are you prepared to adopt a pet? Use these tools to make sure you’re ready for the commitment.

 

Need help finding the right food for your dog?

Other breeds you might be interested in