Irish Water Spaniel

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Irish Water Spaniel

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Size: Large
Other Names: Whip-tail, Shannon Spaniel
Country of Origin: Ireland
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Sporting
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Sporting
United Kennel Club (UKC): Gun Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Gun Dogs
The Kennel Club (KC): Gun Dogs
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Gun Dogs
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Gun Dogs

The Irish Water Spaniel is a large, distinctive retrieving spaniel with a dense mass of tight curls, a smooth rat tail, and a topknot on the skull. The color is solid liver.

A large water retriever with a crisp curl that needs real grooming; a working voice and a need to swim, not idle indoor hours.

The Irish Water Spaniel is Ireland’s retrieving spaniel, used on waterfowl in cold rivers and bogs. The rat tail and the topknot set it apart from other spaniels. The AKC places it in the Sporting Group; the UKC classes it as a Gun Dog.

Height: Male: 22–24 inches; Female: 21–23 inches
Weight: 45–68 pounds
Color: Solid liver (rich puce-liver)
Coat: Dense, tight, water-resistant curls; the tail is smooth (the rat tail)
Lifespan: 12–13 years
Litter size: 4–8 puppies

Temperament

These spaniels are typically clownish at home, reserved with strangers, and serious in the water. They need swimming or field work, not just a short walk. A bored Irish Water Spaniel will invent trouble.

Training

They learn quickly and get bored with drill. Start water work early and keep sessions upbeat.

Care and grooming

Do not brush the curls out; keep them clean and prevent mats. Dry the ears after swimming.

Shedding

Low; loose hair is held in the curls.

Health

Irish Water Spaniels may develop hip dysplasia, ear infections, and eye disease. Ask breeders about hip and eye testing.

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