Irish Water Spaniel: the Clown of the Spaniels

An excellent hunting dog, and a great family pet in the right hands, yet few people know about this special breed of Irish dog these days.

The Irish Water Spaniel is one of the oldest and largest of all spaniel breeds, and probably one of the rarest. Its origins are full of misinformation and much of its history is obscure. But either way, the Irish Water Spaniel is a breed that stands on its own two feet and has its own unique characteristics. For example, a short, curly tail covered in curly hairs called a rat tail. And why are they call the clown of spaniels? Probably because of its very different appearance from other spaniels. Although some sources say his “hairstyle” is the reason for his nickname.

Origin of the Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel its exact origins remain obscure to this day. Its history is said to be can be traced back to the Middle Ages, to the 7th century . His ancestors are thought to have come to Ireland from Persia, via Spain. Based on the distinctive rat tail, it is thought that they interbred with a native Irish breed on arrival in their destination country. In the 1100s it is said to have had several nicknamesone of which is most certainly still in use today. They were referred to as Shannon Spaniels, Rat-Tailed Span iels or Whip-Tailed Spaniels.

First in the 17th century, more precisely in a book from 1607 the “water dog that hunts waterfowl”. An illustration of the breed, called the ‘Water Spagnel’, was made in the same book. A 19. Until the mid-century there were two types of water spaniel in Ireland, one ‘southern’ and one ‘northern’. The southern one is more similar to the one we know today, the northern one had short ears and no ‘boots’, and its coat was covered with white patches to a greater or lesser extent.

The history of the modern Irish Water Spaniel

The change came in the 1830s (though some sources put the date at 1859), when Justin McCarthy, a Dublin sportsman, is said to have taken it into his head to unify the two breeds. One of his most famous dogs, already representing the ‘improved’ water spaniels, was the ‘Boatswain’. From McCarthy’s somewhat vague, ‘romantic’ descriptions, it is not known whether other breeds were introduced into the Irish Water Spaniel to improve the breed. As it looks more like a poodle than a normal spaniel, there has been much speculation. Some have gone as far as to suggest to the Afghan greyhound the breed. Modern technology seems to have been able to answer this question too. DNA tests have shown that it is probably closely related to the Poodle, the Portuguese Water Dog and the Barbet.

The reputation of this excellent water hunter was soon established and the breed was imported into several countries. In America, it became so popular that by 1875 it was the third most popular sporting dog and one of the first nine dog breeds accepted by the AKC. The Irish Water Dog was also very successful at dog shows in the second half of the 1800s. The FCI officially adopted the breed in 1954.

Breed description

The tallest spaniel is not very similar in appearance to the other spaniels. He is strong and compact, with a well-proportioned build and a proud and elegant carriage. He has a height at the withers of 51–59 cm and a body weight of 22–30 kg. One of its most striking features is its dense, surprisingly coarse-feeling, curly, ringed coat, which is a beautiful deep brown (officially liver brown) colour. Its coat must not be woolly and white patches are considered a fault. The standard is for short, close-fitting hair on the nose, face and tail, with longer hair everywhere else. The FCI standard adds that the hair on the neck (in a V shape from the brisket towards the jaw) should also be so cut.

It has a long trunk and a broad, straight back, a deep chest and a gently sloping tail, a long and tapering tail (rat tail). The head is relatively large in proportion, the skull is convex, the muzzle is long and broad, and the nose is large. Eyes dark brown (amber or hazel), ears long, low-pinned, flush with the head, drooping, with longer hairs. Ears visually reaching down to the shoulders. The hair on the ears and the top of the head give the impression of a small mane. Average age 12-13 years. The FCI 8. belongs to the breed group of retrievers – water dogs.

The character of the Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel is a friendly, intelligent and family-friendly breed. Like a good hunting dog, it is energetic, active, hardy, playful and needs exercise, so it is important to get enough exercise every day. It makes an excellent companion for running, long walks or hiking, or even dog sports. But his energy can also be drained with a well-constructed game in the garden or park. He is a curious breed, loves exploring and meeting new stimuli. Calm and peaceful in nature, he loves his family and wants to please them. He is easy to teach because he is happy to cooperate, a quick learner and not too stubborn. Positive reinforcement methods are the best way to teach her. Care should be taken not to bore her with sessions, keeping them short but interesting.

He is a little aloof with strangers and is not far from house-sitting, but he is not a loud dog and is usually not very vocal. He is happy to be given a job, but he doesn’t need to be given a steady job, especially if he is regularly handled.

The breed is also excellent as a therapy dog:

Ideal environment

The Irish Water Spaniel is easily adaptable and gets on well with other dogs and children, but it is important that children treat it with respect, as every dog has its own tolerance level. In a household where there are both children and dogs, it is also important that both the dog is used to how to live with the child, and to teach the child, how to respectfully approach towards the family pet.

Due to its size, exercise requirements and its attachment to its owners, it is recommended for a garden house with access to its family. If bored, it may be prone to less than popular behaviour, but with the right exercise and exercise it can be kept indoors.

It is a really energetic breed:

Caring for the Irish Water Spaniel

Looking after an Irish Water Spaniel can be a nightmare, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. It doesn’t shed much and its coat is actually waterproof, so it will shed dirt and similar contaminants. For this reason, it does not require frequent bathing, but combing is all the more important. In the event that the dog does get wet or is given one of the infrequent baths, it is worth taking care to ensure that the skin is properly dried.

If regular grooming is neglected, the dog’s coat can easily tangle or become matted, so it is a good idea to try to brush 2-3 times a week. Occasionally, it is recommended to trim the coat to shape, i.e. to remove some of the length. As well as frequent maintenance of the coat, it is important to pay attention to the dog’s teeth, claws, eyes and ears. Neglecting the latter can cause a lot of problems the droopy-eared breed.

Common health problems of the Irish Water Spaniel

Although, in general, it can be said that a healthy breed, there are certain diseases to which the Irish Water Spaniel may be susceptible. Reliable and responsible breeders will filter their dogs for these as much as possible and take care to keep the breed healthy. The following problems may arise:

• Hip dysplasia;
• Hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism): when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This imbalance in hormone balance can cause problems such as hair loss, excess weight, lethargy and skin problems.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): a hereditary eye disease that causes the retina, the nerve membrane of the eye, to deteriorate (degenerative damage), leading to loss of vision after a certain period of time. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease, but the process can be slowed down with appropriate medical intervention. As it is hereditary, it is important that breeders test their dogs.
• Canine Inherited Neuropathy (CAN): a neurological disorder associated with progressive weakness and muscle atrophy. Unfortunately, it is also incurable, but it can be treated for a period of time, and the right treatments can help keep your dog well.

In addition to these, it should be noted that there is a risk of an adverse reaction to sulphamide-type antibiotics or to a certain worming drug.