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Gundog · Ireland

Irish Water Spaniel

A walker's guide to the Irish Water Spaniel: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Large, 20 to 30 kgHigh energyWater retrieverCurly coatVulnerable nativeClownish
Exercise a day90 min plus
Energy4 of 5
Walk styleBold, busy, heads for water
With other dogsSociable, a little aloof

Overview

The Irish Water Spaniel is an old Irish breed used to retrieve wildfowl from cold estuaries and bogs. It stands taller than any other spaniel, wears a dense liver coat of tight curls with a smooth face and a bare, tapering tail, and it is a vulnerable native breed with only a small number of UK registrations each year.

The character is clever, lively and comic, with an independent streak that keeps owners on their toes. They can be reserved with strangers but are rarely nervous or sharp once they know you. Water is the breed's great passion.

Exercise and walking needs

Ninety minutes a day of real exercise, ideally including a swim or a retrieving session. They enjoy long walks and have the stamina of a working gundog, but a chance to work for a dummy or a ball in water will satisfy them more than distance.

They are less heat tolerant than their coat suggests. In summer, swim in the cool parts of the day and keep the walking short.

Daily minimum90 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeYes, away from deep water

On the walk

  • Water: They will enter any water they find, including canals and ditches. Know where the safe exits are before you let the dog near the edge.
  • Recall: Good when motivated, but a distant pond or a bird will pull it away. A long line until you have seen the response.
  • Other dogs: Generally sociable, if a bit aloof with pushy strangers. They enjoy a game with dogs they know.
  • Coat: Curls trap burrs, twigs and mud. The coat needs regular trimming and a comb through after rough walks.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Carry a towel and a dummy or floating toy; a retrieve from water is the best use of twenty minutes.
  2. Dry the ears after swimming; the heavy, curly ear is prone to trapping moisture.
  3. Check the coat for seeds and burrs on the way back so they do not mat in.
  4. Keep the dog away from blue-green algae warnings and fast rivers.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • Is swimming allowed, and are there particular places you want the dog to avoid?
  • How is the coat maintained, and how much should I do after a muddy walk?
  • Any history of ear trouble or skin sensitivity after swimming?
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