Irish Water Spaniel Fun Facts

Splish Splash! Here comes the Irish Water Spaniel.

History

The Irish Water Spaniel was first bred in Ireland (one of nine native Irish dogs) in the 1830s by Justin McCarthy. His dog, Boatswain, was the first purebred IWS. It is thought its ancestors include the Portuguese Water Dog, the Barbet and a Poodle.

They were initially bred to hunt waterfowl and they have excellent swimming skills. In fact, Irish Water Spaniels have webbed feet, which help them power through the water.

By the 1870s, the reputation of the breed became known in America, and a number were brought over at that time.  By 1875, the IWS was the third most popular sporting dog in the U.S.  

This breed is considered rare and the dogs are not as well known as some of the other Native Irish Dogs.

Size

The IWS falls between Medium and Large in the American Kennel Club size categories. It is the tallest of the spaniels. The female is, on average, 55cm at the withers, with the male slightly taller with an average height of 59cm.

Hair

The hair is liver colour. With its curly, dense, waterproof coat of ringlets, the Irish Water Spaniel is sometimes mistaken for a poodle. It has a smooth face crowned by a “topknot”.

The topknot consists of loose, long curls which grow into a peak between the eyes. 

The tail has a thick curly base that tapers to a fine point at the end. This is known as a rat tail.

Because of their unique hairstyle, Irish Water Spaniels are sometimes referred to as the clowns of the spaniel world. These dogs are also known as Shannon Spaniels, Rat Tail Spaniels, Whiptail Spaniels, and Bog Dogs.

Temperament

Irish Water Spaniels are wonderful protectors of the home.  Courageous and obedient, they make good family pets as long as they are trained well and have regular exercise. So, if you’re looking for an energetic, water-loving companion, then maybe the Irish Water Spaniel is for you.