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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+4
Dogs
# The Irish Water Spaniel: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Ireland
An energetic, intelligent and hardy Irish Water Dog, recognizable by its tight curls and its distinctive tail.
Size MediumLife expectancy 10–12 yearsBudget ≈ €107/monthPuppy €500 – €1,000
[Find a breeder 1](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-irish-water-spaniel) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=irish-water-spaniel)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Good
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Endurance: This energetic hunting dog can handle long physical activities and enjoys working outdoors.
- Versatility in hunting: It can search for and retrieve water game, but can also behave as a pointing dog.
- Low shedding: Its curly coat sheds very little hair when properly maintained.
- Learning ability: Its intelligence and attachment to its owner promote stimulating and consistent training.
- High activity needs: Long daily outings and varied exercises are essential to its balance.
- Demanding training: Its energy and temperament require consistency, firmness and gentleness.
- Regular grooming: The curly coat, ears and claws require close monitoring.
- Health predispositions: The hips, hair follicles and the strength of the claws are points to watch.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active households: He willingly accompanies people who can offer him long outings and daily activities.
- Outdoor enthusiasts: The countryside, natural areas and water activities suit his abilities well.
- Experienced handlers: A consistent and patient owner will know how to channel his energy and make the most of his intelligence.
- Hunters and canine sports enthusiasts: His endurance, his taste for retrieving and his physical abilities lend themselves to work and sporting disciplines.
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary people: A lack of physical and mental activity is incompatible with its energy level.
- Unavailable owners: It requires time for outings, training, games, and care.
- Unaccompanied beginners: Its lively temperament and need for consistency can be difficult to manage without experience or guidance.
- Households looking for a discreet dog: Its level of vocalization can be pronounced and requires appropriate training.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
57 cmIrish Water Spaniel
- Height at the withers
- 53–61 cm
- Weight
- 20–30 kg
- Coat
- Curly, dense and oily
- FCI group
- 8
- Origin
- Ireland
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Irish Water Spaniel in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Irish Water Spaniel is said to descend from Persian dogs that arrived in Ireland via the Iberian Peninsula, but this origin remains uncertain. Its ancestors were already specialized in hunting waterfowl at the beginning of the 17th century. The breed gains strongly in popularity during the second half of the 19th century, then its club is founded in 1890. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes it definitively on 28 December 1954 under standard number 124.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
Of medium size, the Irish Water Dog has an elegant, balanced, compact and stocky silhouette, supported by a developed bone structure and musculature. Its strong and muscular body is characterized by a well let-down chest, a short and broad back and a powerful loin. The head, long and well proportioned, has a domed skull topped with supple curls, a large dark brown nose and a strong muzzle with scissor jaws. The almond-shaped eyes, dark amber to dark hazel, express intelligence. The very long, low-set and pendulous ears are covered with twisted curls. The coat forms small crisp curls, dense, thick, non-woolly and oily in appearance, with a smoother V-shaped area at the throat and fringes on the forelimbs. The coat is solid brown or dark brown. Thick at the base then tapering, the tail bears short curls only on its first centimeters and is carried almost level with the back.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Proud, intelligent, loyal and full of vitality, the Irish Water Dog is a very playful companion that becomes strongly attached to its owner. Its spirited and enduring temperament remains marked by its history as a gun hunting dog. It readily searches for water game, can behave as a pointing dog and also excels at retrieving. Its sociability with children and other animals is generally correct, but it must be reinforced by early socialization.
Affectionate Playful Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Very energetic, this dog needs long daily walks, complemented by games and exercises that engage both its intelligence and its physical abilities. It can live in the city and in an apartment if these needs are truly met and if it has regular access to natural areas. It nevertheless prefers a rural environment, close to marshy or brushy areas, where it can fully express its abilities as a water dog.
Training
## Training and socialization
Intelligent, hardworking and very attached to its owner, the Irish Water Dog has a good learning ability, but its obedience is not automatic. Its training requires a constant balance between firmness, consistency and gentleness. Short, varied and stimulating sessions, based on play and reward, help to channel its energy without dulling its initiative.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Irish Water Spaniel
The purchase price varies depending on the lineage, the reputation of the breeding kennel, the health guarantees, compliance with the standard and the dog's intended purpose. The relative rarity of the breed can also influence availability.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/irish-water-spaniel/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Irish Water Dog is generally robust and solid, but the breed has certain hereditary predispositions that justify careful selection and regular veterinary monitoring. Its active lifestyle, its curly coat and its long drooping ears also require appropriate monitoring after outdoor activities and in the water.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/irish-water-spaniel/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The diet must cover the high needs of a sporting dog while maintaining a lean and muscular silhouette. Its energy density and its quantity must be adjusted individually to age, weight, activity and body condition.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/irish-water-spaniel/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Irish Water Dog is also called Irish Water Spaniel or Irish Water Spaniel. Its characteristic tail, curled at the base then almost bare and tapered, is one of its distinguishing features. A litter generally has 4 to 12 puppies.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Irish Water Spaniel
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Irish Water Dog hypoallergenic?
The breed is generally considered hypoallergenic and sheds very little. However, no dog is completely free of allergens; a prior meeting is still recommended for sensitive people.
### Can the Irish Water Dog live in an apartment?
Yes, provided it gets long outings, games and stimulating exercises every day. A rural setting close to nature nevertheless suits its energy and abilities better.
### What grooming does its curly coat require?
Brushing and combing about twice a week are recommended with a wide-toothed metal comb, a medium comb and a pin brush. The ears and nails should also be checked regularly.
## Find a Irish Water Spaniel breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Irish Water Spaniel breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Irish Water Spaniel breeders by country
[2 breeders of Irish Water Spaniel in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-irish-water-spaniel/denmark) [1 breeder of Irish Water Spaniel in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-irish-water-spaniel/austria) [1 breeder of Irish Water Spaniel in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-irish-water-spaniel) [1 breeder of Irish Water Spaniel in Poland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-irish-water-spaniel/poland) [1 breeder of Irish Water Spaniel in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-irish-water-spaniel/united-kingdom)
[All breeders of Irish Water Spaniel in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-irish-water-spaniel)
## Ready to welcome a Irish Water Spaniel?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-irish-water-spaniel)
## Discover other breeds
[American Water Spaniel
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/american-water-spaniel)
[Spanish Water Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/spanish-water-dog)
[Frisian Water Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/frisian-water-dog)
[Barbet
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/barbet)
[Portuguese Water Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/portuguese-water-dog)
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