Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Water Spaniel
Other names	Whiptail Shannon Spaniel Rat Tail Spaniel Bog Dog
Origin	Ireland
Traits Life span median 9.33 years
Classification / standards FCI Group 8, Section 3 Water Dogs #124 standard AKC Sporting ANKC Group 3 (Gundogs) standard CKC Group 1 – Sporting Dogs standard KC (UK) Gundog standard NZKC Gundog standard UKC Gun Dogs standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Irish Water Spaniel (Irish: An Spáinnéar Uisce) is a breed of dog that is the largest and one of the oldest of spaniels. The Irish Water Spaniel is one of the rarer breeds with the American Kennel Club in terms of registrations.

The Irish Water Spaniel is a sturdy, cobby dog native to Ireland. The coat, consisting of dense curls, sheds very little. (see Moult) The colour is liver/puce and has a very definite purple hue unlike the colour of any other known breed. The non-shedding characteristic of the coat means that people usually allergic to dogs might have less of an allergic reaction to Irish Water Spaniels (see hypoallergenic).

IWS have several distinguishing characteristics which place them among the more recognizable of all breeds: The topknot of long, loose curls growing down from the head which often covers the eyes; a "beard" growing at the back of the throat often accompanied by "sideburns"; and a curled, liver ("puce")-coloured coat. The most distinguishing characteristic of these dogs is the smooth "rat tail", completely free of long coat except at the base where it is covered for 2–3 inches with curls. The face is entirely smooth-coated and, unlike the poodle, should require little or no trimming to stay that way. An IWS is ruggedly built with webbed feet to aid in its powerful swimming. Altogether, the IWS presents a picture of a smart, upstanding, strongly built but not leggy dog, combining great intelligence and rugged endurance with a bold, dashing eagerness of temperament.

They are the largest of the Spaniel group. Dogs range in height from 22 to 24 inches (56–61 cm), and weigh 55 to 65 pounds (25–30 kg). As their name would imply these dogs love water.

Like most dogs of the American Kennel Club Sporting group, the Irish Water Spaniel is essentially an active, willing and energetic companion. Because it has been bred from stock used to fetch game and return it to hand without a fuss, it has the natural instinct of wanting to please. Its keen sense of working as a team makes it a relatively easy dog to train and discipline. Because of its great intelligence and quizzical nature, it has the reputation of being the clown of the spaniel family and will do ordinary things in extraordinary ways to achieve that which is asked of it. Some individual dogs can be very wary of strangers and not every IWS can be trusted to get along with other pets. Early socialisation and training is a must.