Irish Water Spaniel
The tallest of the spaniels, with a curly topknot and a tail left bare like a rat's. Both are breed requirements, and both are unmistakable in the water.
Photo by Canarian, CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
The Irish Water Spaniel is the tallest of the spaniels and the most distinctive looking dog in the group: covered in tight liver curls with a topknot, and finished with a smooth tapering tail that is entirely bare, which is called a rat tail and is unique among breeds.
It was bred in Ireland to retrieve waterfowl, and the coat is genuinely waterproof.
Temperament
Clever, comic and independent. Irish Water Spaniels are affectionate with their families, reserved with strangers, and they have a well documented sense of humour that shows as inventive mischief.
They are more independent and more sensitive than other retrievers. Harsh handling produces a dog that shuts down, and repetitive training bores them fast. They are also slow to mature, staying silly for two or three years.
Care and grooming
The tight curly coat needs combing right down to the skin every week or two plus trimming every couple of months. It sheds very little.
Hip and elbow dysplasia occur, and this breed has a documented sensitivity to sulfa drugs and to some vaccines, which is worth flagging to a vet. Twelve to thirteen years.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day with swimming and retrieving. This is a serious working water dog.
The breed is on the UK vulnerable native breeds list and is genuinely rare. It is a superb dog for someone who wants a thinking retriever and a poor one for someone who wants a Labrador.
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