Gundogs Group - Irish Water Spaniel

Evidence for water dogs and water spaniels goes back to AD 17 and some form of water spaniel has been known in Ireland for more than 1000 years. The Irish Water Spaniel, the tallest of the spaniels, is thought to have been developed through crosses with Poodles and Curly-coated Retrievers. Before 1859, there were two separate strains of the breed in Ireland, one in the north and one in the south. It would seem that the southern strain, which resembled the Standard Poodle, formed the basis of the modern breed.

Cost: Dense, tight ringlets on neck, body, and top part of tail; longer, curling hair on legs and topknot; face, rear of tail, and back of legs below hocks smooth.

Color: Rich, dark liver.

Features: Good-sized, high-domed head; small, almond-shape eyes; long, oval-shape cars; arching neck; deep chest; short tail.

Size: Height: dogs 21-24 in, bitches 20-23 in. Weight: dogs 55-65lb, bitches 45-581b.

Care: Needs to be groomed at least once a week with a steel comb. Some stripping of unwanted hair and trimming round feet is usually necessary

Character: Brave, loving, and intelligent. Has a fine nose, and will work and quarter as a spaniel. A strong swimmer that is large enough to retrieve large or injured wild fowl, such as geese, from deep water.