GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 51-58cm (20”-23”).
Colour: Rich dark liver with a purplish hue.
Coat: Dense, tight, crisp ringlets that are naturally oily.
Gait: Straight and true with a high head carriage and distinctive roll.
These Irish members of the Gundog group, are eye catching with their profuse topknots and rat like tails. The Irish Water Spaniel is one of the tallest of the spaniel family with small bright eyes set mid-way between the domed skull and the short haired squarish muzzle. The low set ears hang close to the cheeks and are covered with long twisted curls. The powerful neck carries the head high (essential when swimming), and when trotting, the strong shoulders and a barrel shaped chest create a distinctive rolling gait. The tapering tail is covered with curls only for the first 7-10cm (3”- 4”). The well angulated and powerful hindquarters finish with large hairy spreading feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Often called the clown of the spaniel family, the Irish Water Spaniel’s expertise in working with birds in water or on the land is quite incredible.
Their response to training when allied with plenty of praise, is heart warming. While devoted to their own family, there are times when their exuberance might be too much for the young or the elderly. Their devotion is not handed out to all and sundry and on first meeting, they remain aloof with strangers. Normally left untrimmed, if the dog is shown regularly some coat tidying is needed; however the pet owner with little time, can have the coat trimmed back periodically. Being naturally oily, the coat will not hold water.
HISTORY
The presence of this breed has been established by archaeologists from about the 7th or 8th century AD — even old Roman ruins display carvings of dogs resembling the Irish Water Spaniel. In the late 1100’s, dogs in the River Shannon area were known as Shannon Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels and Rat Tail or Whip Tail Spaniels. Later in 1598, it was recorded that one was sent to the King of France. Pedigrees go back to the 1840s and by 1866, these spaniels were being exhibited in England.