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Irish Water Spaniel Description
THE
IRISH WATER SPANIEL
HISTORY & BREED CHARACTERISTICS
The Irish Water Spaniel is a breed of ancient lineage. Water spaniels are first
mentioned as far back as the Roman era, as well as later by Shakespeare and subsequent
writers. In modern times, a dog show class has been provided for them from the
mid-nineteenth century on. Dublin sportsman Justin McCarthy is considered one of the most
significant early breeders of IWS, as he was instrumental in setting a distinct,
repeatable breed type. His celebrated dog, "Boatswain," was one of the first
pure-type and best known of all IWSs.
Is have several immediately identifiable, unforgettable characteristics which put
together, make a truly unique dog -- a top-knot of long loose curls; a beard growing at
the base of their throats, often accompanied by sideburns; curly liver brown coats of
longish ringlets of hair; naturally clean-shaven throats and muzzles; and a smooth
"rat tail" completely free of coat except at the base, where it is covered for
2-3 inches with curls. The IWS presents a picture of a smart, upstanding, powerfully built
but not leggy dog, that combines great intelligence and rugged endurance with a bold,
dashing eagerness of temperament.
TEMPERAMENT & PERSONALITY
Characteristic of most sporting dogs; the Irish Water Spaniel is essentially an
active, willing and energetic companion. Because the IWS and many of his sporting brethren
are purpose-bred retrievers, they instinctively want to please. IWSs are, however, Irish,
and both shy and somewhat sharp individuals are not unheard of. Some individual IWS can be
very wary of strangers, and not every IWS can be trusted to get along with other pets. The
IWS is not a breed that can be forgotten in the backyard – they need to be family
members and benefit from a great deal of early and continuing socialization and training.
Socialization is particularly important when an enthusiastic IWS is expected to co-exist
with small children. IWSs are strong-willed, curious individuals. Their intensity can be
both charming and infuriating. IWSs are a "thinking" breed with a streak of
blarney thrown in for good measure. In Irish mythology it’s said that Princess Paen
wanted to teach a leprechaun a lesson and put him inside an IWS pup for a year. When it
came time for the leprechaun’s release, he promised the dog that a bit of him would
remain forever in the dog and its descendants.
OBEDIENCE & OTHER PERFORMANCE SPORTS
The IWS has a reputation for being a clown, which is, more accurately, a
rationalization of not so subtle disobedient defiance that a competent trainer should be
able to overcome and direct. They are smart, capable dogs who will usually do everything
that you ask of them, but who will always add their own particular flair to their
performance. IWSs can be incredible con artists who can easily fool a novice trainer. It
can be a challenge learning to distinguish between the dog honesty not understanding what
you want him to do, and the dog wanting you to think that he doesn’t understand what
you want him to do. Because of this inclination, IWS are best trained with positive
motivational methods (food, toys, and praise) rather than with a heavy-handed disciplinary
approach. To the breed’s credit, the first sporting dog to ever obtain an AKC
obedience title was an IWS, and the breed has had four Obedience Trial Champions of
record. They also compete successfully in fieldwork, freestyle, agility, tracking and
flyball, as well as anything else that piques their interest.
FIELD/HUNTING DOGS
The IWS is often considered a dual-purpose hunting dog, as the breed will
retrieve upland game as well as waterfowl. IWSs’ dense, oily double coat protects the
dogs in the coldest water, but some grooming may be necessary at the end of the day to
remove the cockleburs and seeds picked up in the field. The excellent vision and marking
abilities of the IWS, combined with a keen nose, protective coat, soft mouth, and
tenacious attitude make them truly wonderful hunting companions.
WATCHDOGS
The Irish Water Spaniel was not bred to be a watchdog. They are, however, devoted
one family dogs who tend to be protective of themselves and their people. They are not
excessive "sport" barkers, but they will let you know in no uncertain terms if
there’s a stranger about.
COAT & SHEDDING
The IWS is a breed that requires regular consistent grooming and care to maintain
healthy coat, ears, teeth and nails. They should be thoroughly combed and brushed to the
skin every one to two weeks. As most groomers are unfamiliar with the breed, many IWS
owners learn to trim and bathe their dogs themselves. A certain amount of regular
scissoring is required every six to eight weeks to maintain the overall shape of the dogs.
It is, however, not unusual for field and pet IWSs’ coats to be cut quite short for
ease of care.
Some people consider the IWS to be a non-shedding and non-allergenic breed. If allergies
are a concern for you, please make sure to meet an IWS in the flesh BEFORE you consider
obtaining one. An IWS’ coat may not spontaneously drop to the floor like that of a
Dalmatian or Labrador, but it will clump together to form "dust bunnies" in your
home.
Although the breed standard calls for only one acceptable coat color – pure-liver
(that’s liver-brown with a purple cast to it) – there is a range of color from a
lighter brown to almost black. Coat texture, quantity and quality can vary considerably in
the breed from tight, crisp ringlets to wavy to almost straight hair.
HEALTH & LONGEVITY
As with most medium- to large-sized dogs, the two principal health concerns in
IWSs are hip dysplasia and thyroid disease. Cancer, epilepsy and entropian are also not
unheard of in the breed, again, as in many purebred dogs of today. IWSs have shown
sensitivity to Sulfa drugs and the worming medication Ivermectin, both of which can and
should be replaced by other products. Inoculating IWS for Leptospirosis is NOT
recommended. In spite of these concerns, the average life span of an IWS is somewhere in
the nine to twelve year range, although longer- and shorter-lived dogs are common.
The Irish Water Spaniel is often confused with the American Water Spaniel. Please
see the Confusing Brown Dogs Page
for help with identification.
For More Information See the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America
Website
Also please see our one page flyer.