Irish Water Spaniel
Updated January 7, 2025
Irish Water Spaniel
Updated January 7, 2025
Irish Water Spaniels are energetic and intelligent dogs known for being lovable goofballs. They thrive in active homes with experienced pet parents who enjoy outdoor adventures, especially if they involve splashing down in a lake, pond or ocean.
Quick-Learner, Hardworking, Natural Athlete
Male: 55-68 pounds
Female: 45-58 pounds
Male: 22-24 inches
Female: 21-23 inches
12 to 13 years
Liver
Sometimes called the class clowns of the spaniel family, the sporting Irish Water Spaniel can be lovable goofballs. They’ll chase anything you throw with wild abandon—tongues lolling and ear-to-ear grins on their faces. Highly intelligent and independent, be prepared for a companion who’ll keep you on your toes. These mischievous pups will play your game of fetch, but they may decide to take the long way back when delivering the ball. And grab your beach towel! With their webbed feet and curly water-repelling coats, plan on playing many games of fetch in a pond, lake or pool. Gundogs who were bred to retrieve fowl, Irish Water Spaniels love the water. (It’s in their name, after all.) If you enjoy a good laugh and a good splash, you’ll get along swimmingly with this fun-loving breed.
Irish Water Spaniel Characteristics
Irish Water Spaniel Appearance
With webbed feet and a waterproof coat, the Irish Water Spaniel breed is part dog, part duck. A tousled topknot and liver-colored curls give them an endearing look. And their unique, hairless tails acts like a rudder while swimming. These cuties are sometimes confused for Poodles, because they both have curly coats and were bred to hunt. (You can tell them apart by their haircuts and tails: Standard Poodles usually have fancier ‘dos and Irish Water Spaniels have longer and less-furry tails.)

- Ears
Irish Water Spaniels' floppy low-set ears are covered with long, loose curls and hang neatly next to their head.
- Eyes
They have small, almond-shaped dark brown or amber eyes with a playful or watchful gaze.
- Nose
They have large, liver-colored (reddish brown) noses.
- Coat Length
Irish Water Spaniels have a signature topknot of soft, loose curls, bodies covered in short ringlets or waves, and silky smooth faces and tails.
- Coat Color
Irish Water Spaniels' coats range from medium to dark reddish brown (liver) colors, sometimes with a little purplish hue.
- Tail
They have a smooth tail that is carried low and has short curls towards the base.
Irish Water Spaniel Temperament
Highly intelligent, funny and playful, Irish Water Spaniels are sporting dogs at heart, bred to retrieve fowl during hunting. Naturally, they love exercise that incorporates games. They’ll even make a game out of training and often change the rules to amuse themselves. Teaching them to fetch? Expect them to find something else entirely different to fetch than what you threw, or to make a lot of stops on the way back to you. It’s no wonder they have a reputation for being a class clown.
With their athletic abilities and love of retrieving, they should be kept on a leash outside in case a squirrel catches their eye. Otherwise, you may have a runaway dog on your hands.
Irish Water Spaniels are very rarely aggressive, although they may be cautious around strangers. Early exposure to plenty of other dogs and people ensures this breed will live up to their friendly tendencies and help them be more comfortable in new situations and around new people and other dogs. And while they’re quiet in nature, they will alert you when something’s amiss, making them great watchdogs.
Irish Water Spaniels are almost always good with kids—they’re naturally playful, and their goofy antics will delight children of all ages. Start socializing your dog while in puppyhood to help bring out their friendly tendencies (and don’t forget to teach the kids in their life how to play nicely with them, too).
How to Care for a Irish Water Spaniel
Raising a healthy and happy Irish Water Spaniel dog means spending time on daily exercise, grooming and training—all of which is an excellent way to build your bond with your pup.
Grooming
Training
Diet
Exercise
Environment
Irish Water Spaniel Health
Irish Water Spaniels have a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years, but they can experience a number of health issues. Here are a few of the potential health problems to know about in advance to help your pup stay healthy.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Dysplasia occurs when the joint isn’t formed properly and rubs, causing the dog pain. Both hip and elbow dysplasia can range from mild to severe, with some dogs developing a noticeable limp at a young age. Vets can conduct X-rays to diagnose hip and elbow issues. Treatment plans vary based on the severity of the condition.
- Eye Problems: Irish Water Spaniels occasionally have malformed eyelashes called distichiasis. This can irritate the eyes and may eventually cause corneal ulcers. Mild cases can be treated with medicated eye drops; more severe cases may need surgery. Some dogs also get cataracts as they age. Vigilance with eye exams during annual vet visits is important to detect these issues and determine an appropriate treatment plan, which varies depending upon the specific issue.
- Epilepsy: Some Irish Water Spaniels suffer from epilepsy. This may be an inherited condition, and the first seizure may happen between 6 months and 5 years old. Your vet can assess medication options to help keep seizures under control.
- Hypothyroidism: This is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. Signs include weight loss, lethargy and dull hair with increased shedding. Luckily, vets can typically treat it easily with daily medication.
- Tail Injuries: The Irish Water Spaniel tail is naturally bare and may be susceptible to injuries like “Happy Tail Syndrome” (an injured tail caused by vehement wagging into a hard surface) or chapping. Injured tails should be examined by your vet and treated based on their assessment.
Irish Water Spaniel History
Irish Water Spaniels were originally bred to be companion hunting dogs who fetch and return game, but the exact origin of the breed is a bit murky. There may be some Poodle and Portuguese Water Dog in the lineage, and legend tells of a dog native to Ireland who may be part of the breed’s modern incarnation.
But at least part of the breed’s history is well documented: Back in the 1830s, a Dublin sportsman named Justin McCarthy, who wanted to standardize the breed, refined two different types of spaniel—the South Country Water Spaniel and the North Country Water Spaniel—into the Irish Water Spaniel. Boatswain, his beloved pup, became the first official Irish Water Spaniel purebred.
By 1859, this new kind of spaniel began to appear in dog shows. The breed came to the United States in the 1870s, where it became a popular sporting dog. It was one of just nine breeds to be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) as early as 1878, six years before the club’s official establishment. The organization recognized the breed in 1884 after the club was founded. Today, the Irish Water Spaniel breed is still considered relatively rare.
Looking to add an Irish Water Spaniel to your home? You can find a list of reputable breeders on the American Kennel Club website. Irish Water Spaniel puppy prices start at around $1,500. For that price, you’ll likely get a pup who’s been screened for health and temperament issues and may come with pedigree papers. If you’d like to adopt a pup, contact the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America, keep an eye out for the breed at your local shelter or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.
FAQs
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Expert input provided by veterinarian Dr. Cori Wigfall, DVM, BVM and veterinary spokesperson of SpiritDog Training, as well as certified dog trainer Kate LaSala, CTC, CBCC-KA, PCBC-A, CSAT, owner of Rescued By Training.
Breed characteristic ratings provided by veterinarian Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado; dog trainer and behavior consultant Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, in Los Angeles; and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai, CABC, in Sherman, Texas.
The health content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.