Dr. Sergey Uhanov
Last updated: 25th February 2026
Irish Water Spaniel
By
Dr. Sergey Uhanov
Last updated: 25th February 2026
The Irish Water Spaniel (An Spáinnèar Uisce in Irish) is the tallest and one of the earliest of spaniel breeds developed for water-fowling. It is a strongly built gundog characterized by a chiseled head, long, broad muzzle, a topknot of long curls, small, almond-shaped eyes, long, low-set, hanging ears, a “beard” at the back of its throat, muscular neck, deep chest, and sloping, powerful shoulders. Its most distinguishing characteristic is the “rat tail” that is thick at the base partly covered with short curls while the remaining part of it is smooth-coated.
Irish Water Spaniel
Quick Information
| Other Names | Shannon Spaniel, Bog Dog, IWS, Rat Tail Spaniel, Whiptail |
| Coat | Dense, curly, tight, crisp, water-repellant; short and smooth on the face and front of the hind legs, long, loose curls on the ears |
| Color | Liver, purplish tinge |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Category | Water Dog, Sporting, Gun Dog |
| Lifespan | 12-13 years |
| Weight | Females: 45-58 lb Males: 55-68 lb |
| Size | Medium |
| Height | Females: 21-23 in Males: 22-24 in |
| Shedding | Seasonal, low |
| Temperament | Alert, intelligent, active, playful |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
| Litter Size | Varies greatly; 4-12 puppies |
| Good with Children | Yes |
| Barking | Loud, occasional |
| Country Originated in | Ireland |
| Competitive Registration/ Qualification Information | ACR, ACA, AKC, APRI, ANKC, CKC, FCI, DRA, NAPR, KCGB, NKC, NAPR, NZKC, UKC |
Video: Irish Water Spaniel Learning to Retrieve from Water
Other Similar Breeds
History
The origin of Irish Water Spaniels is obscure though it is believed to have evolved during the 7th-8th centuries. The Irish Water Spaniels were first developed in Ireland during the 1830s by Justin McCarthy, an Irish breeder. It was McCarthy’s “Boatswain,” the foundation sire of many show dogs and gun dogs, which is considered the ancestor of modern IWSs.
Although McCarthy never revealed his breeding source, it is popularly speculated that the French Poodle or Barbet-type dogs along with the Portuguese Water Dogs and other water spaniel types could have played a role in the breed’s development. While it appeared in a dog show for the first time in 1862, it was imported to the US during the 1870s.
The Irish Water Spaniel Club of Ireland was established in 1890, and the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America was set up in 1937 for promoting interests in the breed.
Temperament and Behavior
Known for its hunting skills, the Rat Tail Spaniel can swim across lakes and rivers to retrieve waterfowl and can also recover game like pheasant, grouse, and quail. Aside from being a hunting partner, the IWS can be a loving companion for your family and will keep you entertained with all its mischiefs and clownish antics.
The Irish Water Spaniel is bold, curious, and watchful by nature, alerting you to anything unusual with a deep, loud bark. Although it is not usually aggressive, it can be reserved around strangers. Early socialization is required for a Rat Tail Spaniel to help it live peacefully with children and other household pets.
Care
Exercise
Since it is an energetic breed, it needs lots of regular exercises, including long walks, hikes, plenty of running, and vigorous play like retrieving a stick. A session of swimming can also give it plenty of physical and mental stimulation. You may also train it for dog sports like rally, agility, tracking, flyball, freestyle, and dock diving.
Grooming
Brush its hair twice or thrice a week to prevent matting and to keep it free from dirt and debris. Cleanse your IWS’s ears with a cotton cloth dipped in a vet-recommended cleaning solution every time it goes swimming. Basic care like brushing its teeth and trimming its nails is also necessary.
Health Problems
An Irish Water Spaniel is prone to serious health conditions like cataracts, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, entropion, allergies, epilepsy, follicular dysplasia, drug sensitivity, and megaesophagus.
Training
Since the Irish Water Spaniel can be stubborn and sometimes has an independent streak, training is not easy, particularly for inexperienced dog owners.
Socialization
Exposure to lots of unknown people, pets, sights, sounds, places, and experiences at a young age is required. You may either invite some friendly people to come over to your place along with their well-socialized, vaccinated pets or take your IWS to a dog park so that it can interact positively with them. Ensure that all the new learning experiences are fun and positive for your IWS puppy.
Obedience
If you want to nurture your Irish Water Spaniel’s hunting skills, you should emphasize on steadiness and obedience. You need to train it to respond to commands like sit, stay, come, go, and leave it so that it can learn to fetch and retrieve game.
Feeding
Give your Irish Water Spaniel a nutritious diet with the right mix of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. You may feed it one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half cups of quality dry food per day.
Interesting Facts
- The Irish Water Spaniels are popularly named “the clown of the spaniel family” because of its topknot of long, curly hairs between its eyes.
- They have webbed feet, a physical adaptation that helps them in swimming.
FAQ’s
