Is the IWS the breed for YOU?

History and Purpose of the breed

Whilst the exact origins of the breed remain obscure, the earliest reference to the type of Irish Water Spaniel we know today was in the 1830’s. Originally bred as a wildfowling dog to work on the marshes, bogs and rivers of its’ native Ireland it is a versatile gundog.

Looks

The Irish Water Spaniel is the tallest of all the spaniels and is a medium, strongly built dog with a distinct characteristic appearance. They are compact, well-boned with a pronounced barrel rib-cage. The coat should be a deep rich liver colour composed of tight crisp curls and ringlets. The face, throat and tail should be smooth and the head topped with a characteristic ‘top knot’ growing in a well defined peak between the eyes.

Character/Temperament

Irish Water Spaniels are slow to mature and can be headstrong and wilful. They are also intelligent, alert, mischievious and fun loving, in fact they are widely known as the ‘clown of the spaniel family’. It is their intelligence that gives the IWS a reputation as a comedian as they are inquisitive and often use their own initiative in ways that can surprise, delight or frustrate their owners.

They do have an endearing nature but require early training and socializing to ensure their manageability.
They learn very quickly but, can also become bored and stubborn if overtrained. They need variety to keep them interested.

The main reason for rehoming an IWS is because of a lack of early consistent training. They are therefore not the best breed for the first time dog owner.

Exercise

The Irish Water Spaniel is an active breed requiring regular exercise, preferably free running. They also enjoy swimming and retrieving games. Most IWS love any water be it muddy, smelly or clean- so be prepared to get wet. Maybe not one for the houseproud!

IWS can take part in many activities and enjoy agility and obedience if they are in the mood! IWS have great noses and have been used both as drug detector and explosives dogs.

Whilst a good sized garden would be an advantage as long as the dog is given adequate physical and mental exercise this is not an absolute requirement.

Feeding

Many IWS are quite greedy and can be prone to put on weight so food intake needs to be monitored carefully as they need a surprisingly small amount of food for their size.

Grooming

As a coated breed they do need regular grooming and trimming. A thorough brush and comb through is required at least once a week. Their coats also collect burrs, brambles and grass seeds so need to be checked daily, especially the feet and ears.

To keep them tidy a trim is needed every 6-10 weeks. If you cannot do this yourself you will need to find a groomer who can and the cost of this needs to be taken into account when choosing a coated breed. Considerably more grooming will be required if you wish to put your dog in the show ring .

The advantage of the IWS coat is that it does not shed- much! Because of this they are often recommended for people with allergies. However they are not always suitable and you would be advised to spend some time in the home of someone with several dogs to test your reaction before considering the breed.

Average Lifespan

8-12 years

Health

As a larger breed the IWS can be susceptible to hip dysplasia. All parents of puppies should be hip scored.

Is it the breed for you?

If you are prepared to spend the time socializing, training and giving them the mental and physical exercise needed and are prepared to look after the coat then you will be rewarded with a great companion to share your life with. They are certainly not an easy option but they are great fun.