Irish Water Spaniel Breed Information & Characteristics

The Irish Water Spaniel is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Irish Water Spaniels are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Active
Clownish
Intelligent
Alert
Inquisitive
Quick

Irish Water Spaniel will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Irish Water Spaniels are very good watchdogs. They are a vocal breed, and are wary of outsiders, so if someone approaches your home or aims to intrude, the Irish Water Spaniel is going to make sure everyone knows about it.

Ireland

poodle, portuguese water dog, barbet

1800s

Sporting (AKC:1884)
Gun Dogs (UKC)

Brown
Amber

Black
Brown

Brown

The coat of an Irish Water Spaniel is longer than that of the typical dog.

Curly

An Irish Water Spaniel can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

The adaptability of Irish Water Spaniel dogs is a well-known trait, they are known for being able to adjust well to different living environments and lifestyle changes.

The Irish Water Spaniel breed is commonly healthy with low vet costs, regular check-ups may not be as necessary but it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Entropion
Elbow Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia
Hypothyroidism

Otitis Externa
Entropion
Eye Problems
Hypothyroidism

Eye
Hip
Thyroid Tests
X-Rays
Eye Examination

Irish Water Spaniels are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Irish Water Spaniels have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

The Irish Water Spaniel needs a high level of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They also make great companions for people who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy running, hiking or other outdoor activities. These breeds are not suitable for people with sedentary lifestyle or those who live in small apartments

Irish Water Spaniels are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

The Irish Water Spaniel is a dog that is known for its low drooling tendency. If you dislike drool marks on your clothing, the Irish Water Spaniel could be a suitable choice for you.

Irish Water Spaniels tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Irish Water Spaniel dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs

Walking, Swimming, Hunting, Running

Irish Water Spaniels are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Irish Water Spaniel, it's at least 15 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Irish Water Spaniels usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

The Irish Water Spaniel is a breed of dog that requires a significant amount of grooming. They will also require regular trims, and a professional groomer's help is often necessary to keep their coat in good condition. They may also need regular baths to maintain their coat and skin.

Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

For an average 55-68 pound (25 - 31 kg) Irish Water Spaniel feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of an Irish Water Spaniel is somewhere $2.50 - $3.20 per day.

The average per month expenses of an Irish Water Spaniel is between $74 - $95. This makes an average of $888 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The Irish Water Spaniel breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

It's not recommended to keep the Irish Water Spaniel in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Irish Water Spaniels living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

A Irish Water Spaniels typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Irish Water Spaniels are below average friendly toward cats. But with the right training and socialization, Irish Water Spaniels can be good with cats,

Irish Water Spaniels are below average dog friendly dogs. Irish Water Spaniel dogs may not always get along well with other dogs they have not been raised with,

Irish Water Spaniels are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Irish Water Spaniels are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Irish Water Spaniels will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

The Irish Water Spaniel is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your Irish Water Spaniel is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Irish Water Spaniel dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.