Irish Water Spaniel
About the Irish Water Spaniel
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 21-24" |
| Weight | 45-68 lbs |
| Coat Type | Curly |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,400/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Irish Water Spaniels may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
- Allergy Sufferers
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Irish Water Spaniel
The story behind the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel took its modern shape in Ireland during the nineteenth century, credited largely to a Dublin breeder whose dogs established the type that spread from there. Older Irish water dogs of curly coat existed before that work, and poodle, curly-coated retriever and other water-dog ancestry is generally assumed in the background, though the exact recipe is not recorded. The dogs were used for wildfowling in bogs, rivers and coastal marsh, where a heavy weatherproof coat and real swimming power mattered more than style. The breed reached Britain and North America in the later nineteenth century and gained early recognition from major registries. It has never been numerous, and today it sits among the rarer sporting breeds, maintained by a small network of working and show homes.
Originally bred for: Waterfowl retrieving, Wildfowling, Marsh gundog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Irish Water Spaniel
An athletic water dog does well on a quality complete diet with adequate fat to support coat and cold-water work, fed in two meals. Raise intake through active shooting or training seasons, and keep the ribcage easy to feel beneath dense curls.
Watch for: No specific dietary intolerance is tied to the breed. Ear inflammation is common in heavily coated water dogs and is usually about moisture rather than food. Where recurring skin or gut problems appear, ask a vet to guide testing before restricting ingredients.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Irish Water Spaniel
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.