The Irish Water Spaniel is an old breed of dog, with a rugged appearance and plenty of character. It is one of the easiest breeds to recognize, with many species defining characteristics. The medium sized dog is the largest of all the spaniel breeds, and as the name suggests, it loves to be in water. It even has webbed feet making it quite the proficient swimmer.
This dog breed is a member of the American Kennel Club Sporting group of dogs. While not a common breed today, the Irish Water Spaniel was very popular in the late Victorian Era. They are very intelligent dogs, with a tendency for finding creative ways to complete mundane activities or tasks.
To learn more about this breed, read on as we go through their history, characteristics and what living with an Irish Water Spaniel is like.
History Of The Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel can trace it’s breeding back to Dublin in the 1830’s. The father of the breed is officially known to be Justin McCarthy, but records of breeding at this time were not standardised or common at all. Following their conception as a breed, it didn’t take long for this water spaniel to become popular.
They were in fact, one of the nine original breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club when it was founded in 1884. It’s popularity peaked during the late Victorian Period and it is not nearly as popular today.
As with all sporting breeds, it is an energetic and active dog. While it’s roots may be murky, it’s clear that it was developed from stock used for hunting, fetching and retrieving.
Breed Origin
In local Irish folklore, the Irish Water Spaniel is told in stories to be the descendant of the Dobhar-chú. This translates from Gaelic literally as ‘water hound,’ which was originally an name for the otter. In lore the Dobhar-chú is the King Otter, and resembles qualities of both a dog and an otter.
Away from the lore, the origins are unclear. We know the father of the breed was Justin McCarthy, but it’s unclear which breeds were used to parent the Irish Water Spaniel. McCarthy left no breeding records, as these were not standardised until later in the 19th Century.
There was much conjecture for decades, that these spaniels, with their distinctively liver-colored coats, were the result of breeding two similarly colored spaniels. Potential parent breeds include the North Country Water Spaniel, or the South Country Irish Water Spaniel. However, modern DNA analysis suggests the breed origins may have more continental European genealogy than previously thought.
It is now thought the breed’s ancestry may include a mix of Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, and the extinct English Water Spaniel.
Quick Facts
- Tallest of the Spaniels – The Irish Water Spaniel stands as the tallest among all the spaniel breeds. It’s not the largest by mass though, as the Clumber Spaniel can grow to a stockier average weight up to 70 lbs.
- Intelligent and Quirky – Renowned for their intelligence, Irish Water Spaniels are quick learners who often display a quirky sense of humor. In play, they are known to ‘clown around’, sometimes completing tasks in amusing and imaginative ways.
- Energetic and Enthusiastic – With a history of hunting and retrieving, Irish Water Spaniels are very energetic and enthusiastic. They thrive on physical and mental challenges, requiring lots of mental and physical stimulation.
- Unique Coat Features – The Irish Water Spaniel boasts a distinctive liver-colored coat with tight curls that offer water resistance. They sheds very little though, making them a hypoallergenic breed.
- Adaptable Swimmers – Born with an innate love for water, they are excellent at swimming and water retrieval. Their webbed feet and powerful build make them natural swimmers.
Characteristics Of The Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has many different nicknames. You might hear them being called a Whiptail, Shannon Spaniel, Rat Tail Spaniel, Bog Dog. You might also see the name abbreviated to IWS. All of these are just nicknames for the same dog. The Shannon Spaniel however, was actually an old now extinct breed and possible parent to the IWS breed.
Irish Water Spaniel litters typically range from 4 to 6 puppies, and these curly-coated pups are ready to join their new families at about 8 weeks of age. The price for a puppy can vary widely based on lineage, location, and breeder reputation, but you can generally expect to invest between $1,200 to $2,000. If you are considering buying a puppy, make sure you buy from a reputable breeder that can provide a health test clearance on request.
Appearance
There are a few features that set this breed apart from all others. For a start, it’s the tallest of all the spaniel breeds, at the top end of what we would consider a medium-sized dog (size details in chart below).
It’s dense, curly coat has a defining purple hue unlike any other breed. It also develops a ‘top knot’ of loose curls drooping down from the head and a ‘beard’ at the back of the throat. The face is smooth coated and requires very little maintenance to keep it clean and tidy.
It is a powerful dog, with strong legs and webbed feet which make it great in the water. Despite it’s dense curls, it doesn’t shed much which is great for those with allergies.
Perhaps the most defining feature though, other than the color, is the smooth ‘rat tail’. While the rest of its coat is covered in dense, thick curls, the tail – beyond the first couple of inches – is short haired, smooth and tapered. It’s a very distinctive feature that makes it very recognisable amongst any similar looking breeds.
| Male | Female | |
| Height | 56 – 61 cm (22 – 24 inches) | 53 – 58 cm (21 – 23 inches) |
| Weight | 25 – 30 kg (55 – 66 lbs) | 20 – 26 kg (44 – 57.5 lbs) |
Coat
The tight, double coat, as we’ve discussed above, has some very distinctive features that make identification of this breed a doddle for those that know. The outer coat consists of dense, tight curls that offer water resistance and minimal shedding. The water resistance is helpful for it’s role in aquatic retrieval, and the minimal shedding make it a good choice as a hypoallergenic dog.
That term can be a bit deceiving at times, as most – if not all dogs – can cause allergies. But with a minimal shedding coat, the impact and severity of these allergies can be greatly reduced. That is about as good as you can get for a dog owner when it comes to a hypoallergenic breed.
Color
The Irish Water Spaniel has a very unique tone to its coat. The distinctive liver-colour (sometimes referred to as ‘puce’) is unlike any other breed. It is the purple hue within the liver color that – although sometimes subtle – sets it apart from other coats.
Temperament
The breed in general are very friendly, energetic and enthusiastic. They enjoy lots of activity and play, and are happiest when they are able to run around and burn off some energy. They are a relatively easy breed to train, with an inherent ability to fetch and retrieve that is easily developed. They are fun and love to be the joker once in a while. Not all Irish Water Spaniels will get on well with other people, dogs or pets though.
With a strong fetch instinct, they may be a risk if left alone with other small pets. Early socialization and training is very important with the breed to bring out their better traits. This is especially important in homes with other pets or small children.
Lifespan
The Irish Water Spaniel have a reasonable lifespan. You can expect them to reach 10 years of age at least in good health, and they will regularly reach up to 12 years of age. They don’t live the longest, even compared to other spaniels, but they do live full and active lives.
Known Health Issues
The Irish Water Spaniel is generally a healthy breed, but like all breeds, they are predisposed to certain health conditions. It’s important to know before you buy any dog, what you may have to account for with their health as they age. Here are some of the health concerns that might become a problem for your IWS:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – A common condition in many dog breeds, hip dysplasia occurs when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. This can lead to pain, lameness, or arthritis. While genetics play a role, factors like weight, rapid growth, or too much exercise can exacerbate the condition.
Aside from hip dysplasia, this breed can also be prone to elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation. Maintaining a healthy weight and appropriate exercise can help manage and prevent joint issues.
- Treatment – Regular veterinary check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help manage the condition.
If you are considering breeding an Irish Water Spaniel, it is strongly recommended that they have their hips X rayed and scored under the joint BVA/KC System. This can prevent breeding of dogs that are more susceptible to these conditions.
Epilepsy – Some Irish Water Spaniels are susceptible to Epilepsy, but the exact causes of this are unknown and varied.
Eye Conditions – Apart from Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) which can effect many breeds, Irish Water Spaniels can be prone to other eye conditions, including cataracts and entropion.
- Treatment – Treatment options vary depending on the condition and it’s severity. Cataracts for example may need surgery to improve the condition if they become severe. Regular eye exams are advisable to help catch and treat these conditions early.
Hypothyroidism – This hormonal disorder is caused by an underactive thyroid gland, leading to symptoms such as obesity, lethargy, skin conditions, and hair loss.
- Treatment – Hypothyroidism is treatable with medication and diet management.
Daily Life
Now that we’ve covered the different characteristics of an Irish Water Spaniel, let’s take a look at what daily life with one of these dogs looks like.
Food and Diet
A balanced diet, full of nutrition and tailored to your pets life stage, size, and activity level is really important. This breed’s energetic nature means they might be quite hungry, but with a propensity for weight gain, you need to be careful not to feed them too much. As a rough guide, 2 and a half cups of food per day is adequate for a dog of this size, but again, it will vary depending on life stage, weight and activity level. If they start to gain weight, reduce portion size but maintain meal frequency.
Lots of animal based protein with moderate amounts of fats would be recommended, spread across two even meals in a day. Double the frequency for puppies. If you choose not to add meat to their diet (which I wouldn’t recommend) then make sure you add suitable amino and fatty acid supplements to any diet.
Exercise
The Irish Water Spaniel thrives with an owner that can provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation. They need at least one to two hours of good exercise every day. They love a good long, exploratory walk but they also love the water too. So occasional trips to the river or the coast will keep them a bundle of joy. If they don’t get enough exercise they can become bored and frustrated, which inevitably can drive them to bad behaviour. Remember, these dogs where originally bred as sporting dogs. Active life is in their nature.
Family Compatability
The Irish Water Spaniel’s affectionate and playful nature makes it an excellent addition to families. It can develop a deep bond with its humans, but it is better suited to active households than sedentary family life. Early socialization and training is essential, and when it comes to family life, they do better in homes with older children rather than those with toddlers. Young kids can be a bit too boisterous, loud and ‘nippy’ for them.
It’s a goofy dog, with plenty of personality and charisma. Happy to show off, but it needs plenty of play. Older kids that are happy to engage in games and activities with these dogs will get on very well.
It is better suited to homes with a large garden or yard to play. Life in an apartment is not ideal, and you would need to have access to somewhere open to provide plenty of exercise. They don’t like noisy or busy environments, so they are not a good choice for city life.
Training
Irish Water Spaniels are a very intelligent dog with a keen desire to please their owners. This translates well into training, particularly with positive reinforcement. They need consistency with their training though, and the more effort you put in, the better the relationship your dog will have in family life and with socialization.
It is a very intelligent breed though, so you might need to get creative with your training sessions to engage their quick minds and playful nature. They do really well with obedience tasks and you will never meet a dog that can fetch and retrieve like a well trained IWS.
Socializing
The Irish Water Spaniel needs early socialization to become a well rounded dog in environments with other people and pets. They can otherwise become a bit standoffish with strangers and overly protective of their family. They may appear aloof or reserved when new or unfamiliar people are around. The earlier you can start socialization the better to help them feel comfortable and well adjusted around different people and environments.
Grooming
As a low moulter, they don’t need much grooming for their fur. Once a week should suffice to keep the coat looking neat and tidy. A trim once in a while is also necessary – every few months – to keep the coat tidy and well kept. Regular bathing is also recommended, once a month should suffice unless particularly active. If they swim in rivers often for example, you might need to bathe more often to keep the pong to a minimum.
They do have particularly quick growing nails though, and these should be clipped regularly too, to make sure they are comfortable on their feet. Just check them regularly and keep an eye on their nails to make sure you don’t let them get too long.
Breed Traits
| Positive Traits | Negative Traits |
| Fun and playful | Not the longest lifespan |
| Very intelligent | Can be aloof with strangers |
| Low shedding | A bit sensitive for young families |
| Can be good watch dogs | Needs plenty of stimulation and activity |
Breed FAQs
Can Irish Water Spaniels adapt to city living?
While they can adapt to various living situations, they don’t like loud or busy places, so city life is not great for them. They also have a very active nature and a need for space which makes them more suited to homes with access to large, outdoor areas.
Are Irish Water Spaniels suitable for allergy sufferers?
Yes, their minimal shedding and unique coat make them a good option for those with allergies. Though there is no truly hypoallergenic breed, and individual sensitivities will vary.
Summary
If you want an absolute bundle of joyful chaos, an energetic and active companion that loves to play the fool, then the Irish Water Spaniel might be the dog for you. This loving and affectionate dog thrives in an active environment and also makes an excellent family dog for those with older children. It’s aversion to noisy and busy environments make it a better choice for families with older children, and for life away from busy urban areas where they have plenty space to be active and play.
They are not afraid to bark when they are scared so they can make good watch dogs. While they may become aloof of reserved with unfamiliar faces, they respond well to socialization training and when this starts early they make excellent, well adjusted dogs suitable to fun, active households.