Verified datavaries by registry
Irish Water Spaniel
Sporting breed from Ireland
Breed overview
Published database recordAbout the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is a large, curly-coated sporting dog from Ireland. Its most distinctive features are a crisp, purplish-brown waterproof coat, a smooth tapered 'rat tail', and a characteristic topknot. Described as intelligent, playful, alert, courageous, and eager to please, this breed is the tallest of all spaniels. It was bred for retrieving waterfowl from cold Irish waters. Individual temperaments vary, so not every dog will display all these traits equally.
Quick facts
Irish Water Spaniel at a glance
Sizelarge
Breed groupSporting
OriginIreland
Lifespan12–14 years
Male weight25–31 kilogram
Female weight25–31 kilogram
Male height56–61 centimetre
Female height56–61 centimetre
Origin and history
Where the breed comes from
The Irish Water Spaniel is an ancient Irish breed, with mentions in Irish literature as early as the 1600s. Its modern development is primarily attributed to Justin McCarthy in the 1830s. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1884, though recognition status varies by registry. Its historical purpose was retrieving waterfowl from cold Irish waters, but the exact timeline of its working origins is not fully documented.
Physical characteristics
Structured data