Irish Water Spaniel Breeders Guide to Owning a Water Spaniel

Owning an Irish Water Spaniel can be a fantastic experience, but it's essential to understand their unique needs and characteristics. They were originally bred to hunt in water, so they require regular exercise and mental stimulation.

Irish Water Spaniels are natural swimmers and love the water, which makes them perfect for families who enjoy water activities. They have a thick, curly coat that requires regular grooming.

To ensure your Irish Water Spaniel stays happy and healthy, you'll need to commit to regular exercise, including daily walks and playtime. They need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, and they love to run and play off-leash.

Irish Water Spaniels are also highly intelligent and trainable, but they can be stubborn at times, so consistency and positive reinforcement are key. They thrive on structure and clear communication.

The Irish Water Spaniel breed has a rich history dating back to the 19th century, with the breed club founded in 1890.

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Boatswain, a dog born in 1834, was one of the most influential dogs in Ireland and his bloodline can be found throughout the world.

Despite being classified as a spaniel, Irish Water Spaniels are primarily retrievers, particularly in retrieving from water, and run in retriever trials in the UK.

Theories on the breed's ancestry include the French Barbet, the English Water Spaniel (now extinct), and the Poodle, which was originally used as a water retrieving breed.

Irish Water Spaniels are known for their intelligence and playful personalities, making them quick learners and great participants in activities like swimming, fetching, and agility training.

Their loyal and affectionate nature means they bond closely with their families, making them great companions for people of all ages.

This breed's water-repellent coat makes them ideal for swimming in all types of weather, and their excellent swimming and retrieving abilities make them well-suited for hunting and water activities.

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The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized breed, typically weighing between 55 and 65 pounds.

These dogs have a distinctive coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting. They are known for their intelligence and trainability, but can be strong-willed at times.

Their love of water is one of their defining characteristics, and they make excellent companions for families who enjoy outdoor activities.

The Irish Water Spaniel is a lively breed that loves to go at life with gusto and enthusiasm. They need a lot of exercise to stay happy and healthy.

These dogs are natural clowns and can be quite independent, which means they require patient, firm, and humorous training. They're not always easy to train, but with the right approach, they can learn to behave.

Irish Water Spaniels are generally good with children, but they can be reserved with strangers and sometimes timid. Early socialization is key to helping them become well-rounded dogs.

As independent thinkers, Irish Water Spaniels will try to get their own way whenever possible, especially young males testing their status. This can make them a challenge for first-time dog owners who need to provide guidance and discipline.

To help your Irish Water Spaniel puppy grow up to be a well-rounded dog, enroll them in a puppy kindergarten class and expose them to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences. This will help them polish their social skills and become confident in new situations.

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The Irish Water Spaniel is a solid liver color, described as deep reddish brown. This is a breed standard color, meaning it's a traditional and well-known color in this breed.

The breed standard colors in this breed include:

As a breed standard color, liver is a key characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel. You won't see any white markings on them except for those due to graying from age.

As an Irish Water Spaniel breeder, it's essential to be aware of the potential health issues that can affect your dogs.

CHD and otitis externa are major concerns in this breed.

Distichiasis is a minor concern, but it's still something to keep an eye out for.

Megaesophagus, hypothyroidism, elbow dysplasia, seizures, and nail-bed disease can occasionally be seen in Irish Water Spaniels.

It's a good idea to have your dogs tested for hip, elbow, eye, and thyroid issues.

Irish Water Spaniels typically live for 10-12 years.

Note that some Irish Water Spaniels may have adverse reactions to sulfa drugs or ivermectin.

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The Irish Water Spaniel requires a lot of exercise to stay happy and healthy. An hour of free-running or strenuous playing a day is necessary to satisfy its needs.

Obedience work is also a great way to provide mental challenges for this breed. It can help keep them engaged and prevent boredom.

The curly coat of the Irish Water Spaniel needs regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling. Brushing and combing two to three times a week, plus scissoring every few months, is essential to keep their coat looking its best.

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To keep your dog happy and healthy, they need regular exercise to burn off energy. An hour of free-running or strenuous playtime a day is a good starting point.

This breed is highly intelligent and thrives on mental stimulation, so obedience work is a great way to provide them with a challenge. It can be as simple as training a new trick or working on basic commands.

The curly coat of this breed requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling. Brushing and combing two to three times a week will help keep the coat looking its best.

If you don't regularly comb out your dog's coat, the hairs can become trapped and form mats and cords. This can be painful for your dog and may even lead to skin irritation.

Feeding your Irish Water Spaniel is a crucial part of their care and upkeep. You should feed them 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

The amount of food your dog needs depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. A highly active dog will need more food than a couch potato dog.

To ensure your dog is at a healthy weight, give them the eye test and the hands-on test. You should be able to see a waist and feel but not see their ribs without having to press hard.

The quality of dog food you buy makes a big difference - the better the food, the less of it you'll need to feed your dog.

The Irish Water Spaniel breed has a rich history that spans over 1,000 years, with dogs resembling them depicted in manuscripts from 1,000 years ago. They were mentioned in the 1100s as Shannon Spaniels, Rat-Tail Spaniels, Whip-Tail Spaniels, or Irish Water Spaniels.

The breed's exact origin is debated among fanciers, but it's believed to have originated in Ireland in the 1830s from the kennel of Justin McCarthy. His dog "Boatswain" is credited with being the sire of the modern breed.

Irish Water Spaniels are known for their distinctive curly, water-repellent coat that can be any color but the most common are black, red, wheaten, and liver. They have a unique rat-tail tail that is hairless and acts like a rudder in the water.

One of the most interesting facts about Irish Water Spaniels is that they are known for being clowns and love to play. They are also intelligent, playful, and loyal, but can be stubborn and independent at times.

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Here are some key facts about the breed:

The breed entered the show ring in both Britain and America by the late 1800s, and in 1875, it was the third most popular sporting dog.