This short video is better than most of the photos I found.
And if you want to see the cutest video i have ever seen watch the one below
If being the tallest of spaniels isn’t enough to get this breed noticed, then their rich liver colored curls and rat-like tail, which is free of the curls, is sure to draw teh eye. Add to that a balanced appearance that truly shows off the breeds athleticism and you are left with an exceptional dog.
The Irish Water Spaniel, or Rat Tailed Spaniel as it is sometimes referred as, is an exceptional spaniel that is often used for retrieving waterfowl and is a natural in retrieving on water. In addition, this is a breed that is known to have a zest for life. They can be wonderful clowns and they often pair that sense of humor with an intelligent that can be respected by both pet owners and hunters alike.
The main problem with this breed is that they can be fairly strong willed and while they will easily pick up training, they don’t always feel the need to listen. This makes the breed only suitable for experienced and firm owners.
Still, even with that stubborn streak, the Irish Water Spaniel makes a wonderful site in the field and they often bond very well with their families, which makes them an equally wonderful site at home.
Pro’s and con’s of owning an Irish Water Spaniel
As with all breeds, there are a number of pros and cons to be considered when you are looking at purchasing an Irish Water Spaniel. These are dogs that have a lot of good qualities that endear them to young and old alike, but they also have some traits that can be a challenge to even the most experienced dog owner. In addition, the Irish Water Spaniel does have a number of health problems that can arise so it is important to really research the breeder as well as the breed before you purchase.
The Pro’s
The Irish Water Spaniel is a very active hunting dog that can make life wonderful for any avid hunter or sportsman. They excel at hunting waterfowl and do extremely well with retrieving in water.
• They are hard workers and enjoy being in the field.
• They are very protective of their family and home and make excellent watchdogs, although they are not the best when it comes to guarding.
• Irish Water Spaniels are very intelligent and will learn a task very quickly.
• They are low shedders and are considered to be hypoallergetic.
• With proper exercise, they can live in any type of dwelling but they do need to have a fenced yard for some outdoor stimulation.
• They do very well with children and make excellent family dogs.
The Con’s
As with all breeds, there are a number of cons that should be considered when you are deciding on purchasing an Irish Water Spaniel. These are:
• Although they were once the third most popular gundog for sportsmen, today, the Irish Water Spaniel is a bit more difficult to find so you may have a long wait when you are purchasing a puppy.
• They require regular grooming that can be quite intensive.
• They can be aggressive to other animals but with proper socialization, this can be solved.
• They are very intelligent and can suffer from boredom if they are not properly stimulated.
• They are a working breed so they do require a large amount of exercise every day; usually between 30 to 60 minutes per day.
• Without proper socialization, Irish Water Spaniels can be fearful of strangers.
• Irish Water Spaniels can be very strong willed and does require a firm trainer.
Health Issues:
The Irish Water Spaniel has a number of hereditary diseases that can affect them and it is very important to be aware of them before you purchase a puppy.
In addition, some Irish Water Spaniels have been known to have adverse reactions to a number of drugs and vaccinations. It is very important that you alert your veterinarian to these risks and to talk to your breeder about vaccinating before you do so. According to the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America, the drugs, in addition to vaccines that contain the leptospirosis component, that should be avoided are:
• Delyoprim
• Norodine
• Borgal Sulphadioaxine Trimethroprim
• Zaquilan Sulphadimethoxine Baquiloprim
• Co-trimoxazole Sulphamethoxazole Trimethroprim Tribressen (or Di Trim)
• Dulphatrim Sulphadiazine Trimethroprim
• Delyoprim
Aside from these problems, the Irish Water Spaniel has a number of health issues that should be considered before purchasing a puppy. Therefore, it is very important to research your breeders and to make sure that they are only using dogs that have been properly screened for health problems.
• Hip dysplasia
• Paronychia
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Bloody tail tip
• Hypothyroidism
• Epilepsy
• Von Willebrand’s Disease
• Alopecia
• Ear Infections
• Megaesophagus
• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Entropion
Height & Weight:
The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium sized dog that exhibits the appearance of a strong and intelligent gundog. This is a dog that is well balanced and has a build that really speaks of endurance. The Irish Water Spaniel should be rectangular in length and should have a chest that is pear shaped instead of wide. It should also have no appearance of a tucked up stomach.
The size of an Irish Water Spaniel is:
Males: 22 to 24 inches (56 to 61 cm) tall and 55 to 65 pounds (25 to 29 kg).
Females: 21 to 23 inches (53 to 58 cm) tall and 45 to 58 pounds (20 to 26 kg).
Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog. In the Weimaraner the withers are slightly higher than the back of the dog.
Grooming:
Although the Irish Water Spaniel is a low shedder, it is a breed that needs ample care when it comes to their coat. Generally, the Irish Water Spaniel should be groomed on a weekly or twice weekly basis. This is to keep their coat free of mats and to remove any dead hair or debris that may have been caught in their dense curls.
In addition to brushing the dog, hair should be trimmed every few weeks to keep it uniformed and tidy. Although how it is trimmed is less important when you are not showing your dog, it is still important to do it to keep the dog cool and to keep the coat from collecting a lot of debris.
Hair between the toes and around the ears should be kept tidy to prevent any infections or sores from forming. In addition, nails should be trimmed regularily to prevent splitting.
Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and should be wiped dry after the Irish Water Spaniel has been swimming or bathed.
When it comes to bathing, the dog should be bathed once every month or two since overwashing can strip the natural oils from the dog’s fur and ruin some of its natural water resistance.
Lastly, to make the curls bounce back to their natural beauty after a brushing, allow the dog the chance for a swim or wet the curls with a quick hose down.
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
History:
The Irish Water Spaniel originated in Ireland and can trace its heritage back to before the early 1600’s. In fact, the breed was described in the book, “Historie of the four-tooted Beastes,” which was published in 1607.
Although we are unsure of the breeds that went into the Irish Water Spaniel, we do know that at one time, prior to the 1850’s, the breed was actually seen as two specific breeds of dog. These were the South Country Water Spaniel, which was a liver colored dog that has long ears and a coat that had short curls, and the North Country Water Spaniel, which was a liver and white colored dog with short ears and a curly coat. Both breeds were considered to share the same lineage, which many have felt was shared by the Poodle.
While the two breeds are both said to have contributed to the Irish Water Spaniel as it is today, it is believed that the South Country Water Spaniel had more influence in shaping the breed. Despite this, we do know that Justin McCarthy, a sportsman from Dublin, is credited with creating the breed as we know it today.
Through careful breeding, the Irish Water Spaniel was born and many sportsmen from both Ireland and England found it a superb retrieving dog, especially when it came to retrieving in water.
The first Irish Water Spaniel was imported to North America in the 1870’s and it has continued to thrive in the United States.
Grouping:
Gun Dog, AKC Sporting
Recognition:
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR