Irish Water Spaniel
Adult Size: Females 21-23 inches and 45-58 pounds, Males 22-24 inches and 55-65 pounds.
Breed: Irish Water Spaniel
Breed Group: Sporting

The largest of the spaniels, the Irish Water Spaniel is a solid brown (leaning to purple), crisp-textured and curly-coated. The curly outer coat is lined with a dense undercoat, which helps to insulate the dog even in the coldest water.

The Irish Water Spaniel presents a picture of a smart, upstanding strongly built sporting dog. Very alert and inquisitive, the Irish Water Spaniel is often reserved with strangers. Many of them are loving family dogs but they can also be a one-person dog.

Irish Water Spaniels are quiet dogs barking only when necessary to warn the family. They are excellent swimmers with considerable stamina and drive along with great scent dogs.
They can refuse commands from family members who have not established leadership over them and socialization should be started early.

Quite a bit of grooming is necessary with the Irish Water Spaniel, as their coat tends to mat. It is believed that their coat is good for allergy sufferers since it has little dandruff. Skilled trimming of the coat is necessary so if need be take them to a professional groomer.

Irish Water Spaniels are prone to eye entropion (where the eyelid rolls inward causing the lashes to contact the surface of the eye) as well as Hypothyroidism, which is a natural deficiency of thyroid hormone.

Although there are many different theories about the Irish Water Spaniels origins most believe it is descended from the Poodle and Irish Setter or the Poodle and Curly Coated Retrievers. They gained a reputation in England and Ireland for daring retrieves in frigid water.

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Irish Water Spaniel - Dogs for Sale