The Irish Water Spaniel is a very peculiar dog breed that stands out for two unique characteristics: its curly hair and its "rat tail". They are one of the very hardy and hardworking dog breeds, which have traditionally been used as retrievers and hunting dogs. However, they are also excellent companion dogs that stand out for their friendly and teasing nature.
Origin of the Irish Water Spaniel
The origin of the Irish Water Spaniel is unknown There is no reliable evidence about the ancestor of the Irish Water Spaniel, since those who created the race did not realize it. This enigma has given rise to multiple speculations about the breeds that could give rise to this particular Irish dog. There are those who maintain that it could come from crosses between the poodle, the Portuguese water dog or the barbet, although its true origin is uncertain.
Water dogs are now thought to have originated in Persia and arrived in Ireland by fishermen from Spain and other Mediterranean countries. The first Irish reference to waterfowl hunting water dogs dates back to the 17th century, however, it was not until 1834 that the breed was officially registered.
Characteristics of the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has traditionally been used as a retriever (a dog that retrieves killed prey) and as a hunting dog for wild birds. It is an excellent swimmer, who stands out for his great predisposition to work and for his enormous resistance to the cold waters of the north.
It is a medium-large dog, characterized by being the tallest of all the Spaniels. Females weigh between 20-26 kg and have a height of about 51-56 cm, while males weigh between 25-30 kg and measure about 53-59 cm.
The appearance of the irish water spaniel has two unique and unmistakable characteristics:
- They have dense hair, with small, well-defined curls and with a natural oiliness: the coat is made up of two layers: a dense, short, thick undercoat (to keep warm) and a longer outer coat and waterproof.
- The tail is unique and exclusive to this breed and is called “rat tail” in dogs or “whip tail”: for being devoid of hair and for being considerably wider at the base than at the tip. In movement, it is carried straight almost at the level of the back.
In addition to these two peculiarities, there are other characteristics of the Irish Water Spaniel of its breed standard that should be highlighted:
- They have a good-sized head: crowned by a bun of long, flowing curls. The hair forms a kind of beard on the back of the jaw. The nose is large and dark liver in color.
- The eyes are relatively small and haveAlmond-shaped : Also, the color varies from amber to dark hazel.
- The ears are very long, lobular in shape and they are covered with long, very curly hair: they are set low and hang close to the cheeks.
- The neck is long, strong and arched: it ends in a deep but not very wide chest.
Irish Water Spaniel Colors
Unlike other breeds where you can find specimens with different coats, Irish Water Spaniels Always have a pure and very intense liver color. Occasionally, they may have white patches on the chest.
Irish Water Spaniel Character
The Irish Water Spaniel is an intelligent, bold, willing and energetic animal They are dogs that are especially loyal to their handlers, which makes them makes excellent companion animals. Also, unlike other hunting dogs, are not especially vocal or noisy, making them a stalked alternative for handlers especially sensitive to barking.
Due to 's friendly, teasing nature, and quirky sense of humor, the Irish Water Spaniel is affectionately known as “the spaniel clown”, characteristic that makes them indistinguishable in the eyes of their caregivers.
Some specimens of this breed of dog can be Reticent to contact with unknown people or animals, so it is important to carry out a correct socialization from an early age. In addition, the socialization of this type of dog breed is particularly important when they are expected to live with small children.
Irish Water Spaniel Care
In addition to the basic care of any breed, Irish Water Spaniels should pay special attention to:
- Activity and exercise: The Irish Water Spaniel is an energetic and energetic animal and requires ahigh level of daily activity To stay physically and mentally he althy, you need to take walks for a couple of hours a day. In addition, as a good water dog, he especially enjoys all activities that have to do with any aquatic environment. A long walk along the river or the beach will be the ideal plan for them.
- Hair care: to keep the hair clean and free of knots it is important to brush every 1 or 2 weeks In the same way, every 2 months it is advisable to trim the hair to fix it and give it shape. Regular exposure to water helps keep hair curled and looking great. How to cut the hair of a water dog? We'll tell you about it in the next article on our site.
- Care of the ears: having long and large ears, they are especially prone to the accumulation of earwax and otitis. Therefore, it is important to maintain proper ear hygiene. How to clean my dog's ears? Find out below.
Irish Water Spaniel Education
The Irish Water Spaniel is an animal accustomed to teamwork. Also, it has a natural instinct to please its handlers, so it is usually relatively easy to train. Their energy and ability to learn makes them good candidates for sports such as agility or flyball. In addition, their sensitive nature means they can also be used as natural therapy and assistance dogs.
As we have already mentioned, they are dogs that can be somewhat distant with unknown people and animals, so socialization should start from an early ageto avoid future behavior problems.
Irish Water Spaniel Dog He alth
The Irish Water Spaniel has a life expectancy of about 10-12 years. The he alth problems that occur most frequently in this breed are:
- Hip dysplasia.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Entropion.
- Epilepsy.
- Otitis.
- Dermatological problems.
In addition, it should be mentioned that this is a breed with sensitivity to certain drugs, such as ivermectin, sulfonamides and some anesthetics. It is vitally important that handlers of Irish Water Spaniels remember this condition, as the administration of these medications can be fatal.
Where to adopt an Irish Water Spaniel?
The Irish Water Spaniel is a rare breed, so finding a specimen of this breed of dog for adoption in our country can be a complicated task If you are thinking of including an Irish Water Spaniel in the family, you can try to contact one of the clubs of this breed to guide your search. However, remember that what is truly important when adopting a new member of the family is not that they meet any racial standard, but that you can adapt to their needs and lifestyle.
