Irish Water Spaniels: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

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.

If you want a dog who...

Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.

• You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Irish Water Spaniels have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
• If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up.
• Finally, you can avoid some negative traits by training your Irish Water Spaniel to respect you and by following the 11-step care program in my book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy.

More traits and characteristics of the Irish Water Spaniel

If I was considering an Irish Water Spaniel, I would be most concerned about...

1. Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Irish Water Spaniels were bred to be active hunting dogs. They don't need miles of running exercise, but a couple of walks around the block won't do it either. You need to take your Irish Water Spaniel into the Great Outdoors where he can romp and play.

   Without enough opportunities to vent his energy and do interesting things, an Irish Water Spaniel is likely to become rambunctious and bored, which dogs usually express by barking and destructive chewing.

2. 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 suspiciousness or shyness.
3. Potential animal aggression. Some Irish Water Spaniels are not tolerant of other dogs of the same sex. Some don't appreciate cats.
4. Mind of their own. Irish Water Spaniels are smart dogs, but not pushovers to train. They can be both willful and sensitive, which makes training a bit tricky. These dogs do best with experienced owners who won't allow their clever dog to manipulate them. To teach your Irish Water Spaniel to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Irish Water Spaniel Training page discusses the program you need.
5. Grooming. To keep their coat short, clean, and free of mats, Irish Water Spaniels require clipping and trimming every few months. You can learn to do it yourself, or pay a professional groomer, but it needs to be done faithfully or your dog will be a sad, tangled mess.
6. Finding one. With very few puppies born each year, you should expect a waiting list.