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Irish Water Spaniel

Thinking about purchasing an Irish Water Spaniel? Then read our breed profile including a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming, activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the Irish Water Spaniel breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good Irish Water Spaniel owner;

properly feed your new dog,
house them comfortably
train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the Irish Water Spaniel and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an Irish Water Spaniel Breeder:

When were your Irish Water Spaniels born? When will they be allowed to leave?
Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check up with your veterinarian?
What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with other pets? in the home?
Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?
Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?
What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive? skittish?
If you become unable to care for your new Irish Water Spaniel, will the breeder help you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new Irish Water Spaniel and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

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Irish Water Spaniel Profile

The Irish Water Spaniel presents a picture of a smart, upstanding strongly built sporting dog. They are large dogs, riding high on their long thighs and low hocks. They are the tallest of the spaniels. Hidden in a forest of tight, curly ringlets for fur are two dark hazel eyes. They have a strong, square body and a whip-like tail, earning them the nickname of “Whip Tail”, “Rat Tail” and “Rat Tail Spaniel”. Irish Water Spaniels have a wonderful temperament and a unique appearance, making them an enjoyable breed. They have a greatly intelligent, quick learning, fun-loving personality that have earned them the title of "clowns of the spaniel family." Owners insist that this breed has a sense of humor. Irish Water Spaniels love water and will often take a flying leap into any body of water they encounter. Irish Water Spaniels excel in retrieving wildfowl. They are good guard dogs and excellent retrievers. Irish Water Spaniels are reserved with strangers, however, making them good watchdogs as well. They are not friendly with other dog breeds, and need socialization for most of their lives.

Other Names: Rat Tail Spaniel, Rat Tail, Whip Tail

Type: Gun Dog

Height: Females: 20 - 23 inches; Males: 21 – 24 inches.
Weight: Females: 45 - 58 lbs.; Males: 55 – 65 lbs.

Colors: Rich, dark, solid liver.
Coat: Dense, tight ringlets on neck, body and top part of tail; longer, curling hair on legs and topknot; face, rear of tail, and back of legs below hocks smooth.

Temperament: Irish Water Spaniels are responsive, playful, and inquisitive. They have a quizzical appearance, and interested in what’s around him. Irish Water Spaniels are friendly and fun with family, often having a sense of humor. They are discerning with strangers, however, and will look them over. They are not friendly with other dogs, and need to be socialized and trained to overcome this. They get along fine with children, are gentle, faithful and loving. They love exercise, and absolutely love to swim. Irish Water Spaniels are intense, intelligent and self-willed. They can be shy or snappy in new situations or around new people.
With Children: Yes, they will tolerate children if no rough housing occurs.
With Pets: Dog aggressive, needs to be properly introduced.
Special Skills: Hunting dog and family pet.

Watch-dog: High. Irish Water Spaniels are alert and aware of their surroundings.
Guard-dog: Medium – Low.

Irish Water Spaniel Care and Training: Weekly grooming for Irish Water Spaniel with a steel comb is necessary to keep their curly coat mat free. However, it is not as much work as one might think. Pay special attention to behind the ears. Some stripping of unwanted hairs is necessary, as is trimming around the feet. Regular daily exercise is a necessity for Irish Water Spaniels and they should also be given the opportunity to swim as much as possible. Needs firm handling from an early age, as well as training and socialization for life.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience – Low. Problem Solving – High.

Activity: High. Irish Water Spaniels have a lot of energy.
Special Needs: Exercise, grooming, socialization and training.
Living Environment: At home the Irish Water Spaniel needs a fenced yard. They may not be an ideal first-time buyer's dog, as they need strong leadership early on. They are not very friendly with other dogs as well, making an experienced dog owner essential. The best owner for this breed would be a dog-experienced, active owner living in a rural or suburban home.

Irish Water Spaniel Health Issues: Hip and elbow dysplasia, and thyroid problems. Other health concerns include coat and skin problems, seizures, sensitivity to sulfa drugs, and food allergies.

Life Span: 10 - 12 years.
Litter Size: 4 -12 puppies.

Country of Origin: Ireland
Irish Water Spaniel History: The Irish Water Spaniel was thought by a historian named Hugh Dalziel to be the progenitor of all the other forthcoming spaniels. This theory, however, contradicts the history of this breed. It is believed that the Irish Water Spaniel is the survivor of two other breeds found in Ireland: the North Country Water Spaniel, with a smaller body and parti-colored with a wavy coat, and the other being the South Country Water Spaniel, being larger with a curly coat. These two were thought to have come from, judging by appearance, the Poodle and the Curly-Coated Retriever. Some think the Portuguese Water Dog had something to do with the Irish Water Spaniel as well. The two North and South breeds met and bred, and the result was known as the Irish Water Spaniel. This specific breed, the Irish Water Spaniel, was said to have appeared in the 1830s from a dog by the name of “Boatswain”, born in 1834. Boatswain was owned by a man named Justin McCarthy, who never revealed the ingredients of his pup. McCarthy is probably most credited with the development of the breed. Bred as a water-bird retriever, they were officially recognized in England in 1859. In 1878 the American Kennel Club recognized the breed, and he has been used in sporting events, dog shows and as a family pet for at least 150 years now.

First Registered by the AKC: 1878
AKC Group: Sporting
Class: Gundog
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 8), KC(GB), UKC

Irish Water Spaniels

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008