Irish Water Spaniel

Grooming

Irish Water spaniel has a double coat that sheds little, and these dogs need to be brushed a few times a week to keep them looking good and to prevent hair from matting.

Irish Water Spaniel coat colors:

• Rich liver to dark liver

They will also need other basic care; brush their teeth at least three times a week. Check their ears for signs of infection and redness, bathe them when needed, and trim their nails if they don’t wear them down naturally.

Exercise

Irish Water Spaniel is a highly energetic and active breed. They were bred to work all day, so these dogs need a lot of daily exercise. These dogs need an active lifestyle to be happy. They love to be outside and be part of the action, whether running and chasing balls, playing, jumping, or jogging.

If you are thinking about getting an Irish Water Spaniel, make sure you have enough free time and energy to spend outside playing and training your Irish Water Spaniel. If your schedule can’t allow you that, consider getting some less active breed.

Personality

As a pet, the Irish Water Spaniel can be wonderful. They get along great with all family members and love spending time with them. They will usually choose their “main” owner, the one person they will form a special bond with. They aren’t made for a watchdog’s role because they are relatively friendly, even with strangers.

They are an energetic breed but won’t mind a lazy afternoon if they had a couple of active days before. They are best suited for homes with yards where they can explore and spend their excess energy. 

Like any other dog breed, the Irish Water Spaniel requires early socialization. It is essential to ensure your dog doesn’t become shy or aggressive. Expose your dog to many different people, dogs, sights, and situations to secure a well-rounded dog. Because they have a high prey drive, even with the right training and socialization, these dogs will not be able to resist going after a rabbit or squirrel.

They can adapt to any environment as long as you secure them with plenty of physical and mental activity.

Kids

Early socialization and proper training can teach them to behave even when children are around. Their temperament makes them more suitable for families with older children. If you train and socialize your dog well, your children will get a great playing partner that has plenty of energy. These dogs can play for hours upon hours without getting tired or bored.

Children should never be left alone with any dog, no matter what breed. You should make sure that your children understand how to approach dogs of this breed and understand how to interact and play with them properly.

Other animals

These dogs are a hunting breed, but they learned to hunt in packs, which makes them quite tolerant of other dogs; they love having company. The Irish Water Spaniel was developed to hunt in coordination with other dogs and hunters. 

They are not the best fit for other pets. They have a strong prey drive, so they will likely try catching smaller animals such as gerbils, hamsters, squirrels, or rabbits. They can learn to get along with the pets they are raised with, but our advice would be never to leave them unattended.

Health problems

Like any other dog breed, the Irish Water Spaniel can potentially develop health problems. If you are buying a dog, ensure the breeder can provide you with the necessary health tests and guarantees. Always ask to see the results of tests from the puppy’s parents. The health problems these dogs are associated with are: 

• Hypothyroidism - A health problem caused by the hyperproduction of hormones from the thyroid gland.
• Epilepsy - Brain problem causing mild to severe seizures.
• Hip dysplasia - Genetic problem affecting hips resulting from an improperly formed hip joint.
• Cataracts - Cloudy spots on the lens of the eye
• Ear infections - Especially for dogs that love water, you need to check their ears regularly for signs of infections or redness.
• Entropion - A defect causing the eyelid to roll inward. 
• Allergies - these dogs are prone to have allergic reactions to specific foods, products, or medications.

The Irish Water Spaniel is generally considered a very healthy breed that can live 12-13 years. 

Irish Water Spaniel breeders

If you decide to get one of these dogs, buy from a registered and reputable Irish Water Spaniel breeder that takes good care of their dogs. This is an active breed that is not for everybody so before you decide to get one, make sure you make an informed decision and make sure that this breed is the best choice for you and your family.

Responsible breeders will breed dogs that don’t only look good but have great characters as well. You must find a good Irish Water Spaniel breeder that can help you learn about this breed and make an informed choice about getting a dog with these characteristics. 

Buying a dog from a responsible breeder will cost you more money, but you can be sure you will get a healthy puppy. If you cannot buy a dog, we advise you to search for local animal shelters because there is a chance you can find an Irish Water Spaniel dog in it.

When you bring your new puppy home, start with the training and socialization immediately. By doing so, you will end up with a well-behaved dog whom you can trust. Provide him with enough daily exercise for him to be happy. If you devote your time and energy to this dog, you can be sure that you will end up with a life companion.

World Dog Finder team

The origin of the Irish Water Spaniel is still uncertain, but we do know that they came from Ireland and that they appeared in the 1830s. This dog breed came to the US in the 1870s but they never reach the popularity they have in their native land – Ireland.