| Irish Water Spaniels: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Irish Water Spaniel personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Irish Water Spaniel, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says, "Great intelligence is combined with rugged endurance and a bold, dashing eagerness."
The tallest of the spaniels, with a unique quizzical expression, the Irish Water Spaniel has a distinct, purposeful presence.
He varies in personality more than some other breeds, but most are bold, inquisitive, and eager to play. Irish Water Spaniels need plenty of vigorous exercise, including retrieving and swimming.
He should be accustomed to a variety of people and new situations at an early age, as he tends to be reserved and often protective, and these traits could easily slide into shyness or sharpness.
Irish Water Spaniels can be aggressive with strange dogs, sometimes even with other pets.
Most have strong opinions and are not hesitant about expressing them, yet he is capable of learning a great deal from an owner who knows how to lead.
Handled properly and given outlets for his exuberance, the Irish Water Spaniel is a fun-loving, extremely perceptive dog.
However, this is not a breed to be teased or ignored, nor one to be chosen by a nonassertive owner."
History
A very old breed from Ireland, he can work like a spaniel, flushing birds from thickets, but his curly coat burrs up quickly, so he is more often used to retrieve shot ducks from the water.
Size
21-24 inches and 45-65 lbs |
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Irish Water Spaniels
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is the tallest of the spaniels, strong and rugged, yet quick and agile
- Thrives on vigorous athletic activities
- Makes a keen watchdog and has protective instincts
- Is extremely perceptive and sensitive to the moods and emotions around him
An Irish Water Spaniel may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Suspiciousness or fearfulness when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Regular brushing and trimming of the curly coat
- Waiting lists (hard to find)
An Irish Water Spaniel may not be right for you.
| If I were considering an Irish Water Spaniel... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Irish Water Spaniels MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Irish Water Spaniels can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in hunting, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Trying to suppress their desire to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult. |
- Bounciness. Young Irish Water Spaniels (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Irish Water Spaniel puppies. The temptation to play roughly is too strong in many young Irish Water Spaniels. |
- Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Irish Water Spaniels need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with and could even lead to defensive biting.
- Animal aggression. Because of their strong temperament, some Irish Water Spaniels, particularly males, may not be tolerant of other male dogs. Some Irish Water Spaniels do not get along with cats.
- Mind of their own. Irish Water Spaniels are not Golden Retrievers. The best Irish Water Spaniels are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and some are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Grooming. To keep their coat short and free of mats, Irish Water Spaniels require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months. But don't expect your pet Irish Water Spaniels to look like the show dogs you've seen in books or on TV. That particular look takes hours of work by experienced show groomers.
- Finding one. In the United States, only about 125 new Irish Water Spaniel puppies are registered each year. (Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies.).
| Not all Irish Water Spaniels are alike! |
- There are energetic Irish Water Spaniels, and placid Irish Water Spaniels.
- Hard-headed Irish Water Spaniels, and sweet-natured Irish Water Spaniels.
- Serious Irish Water Spaniels, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Irish Water Spaniels, and Irish Water Spaniels who love everyone.
| If you acquire an Irish Water Spaniel puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Irish Water Spaniel... |
There are plenty of adult Irish Water Spaniels who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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