Appearance

The Irish Water Spaniel dogs are very alert and intelligent. With the distinction of being the tallest spaniel, this breed flaunts is rectangular, medium-sized body. Its double coat, meanwhile, is covered with tight curls, which are solid liver in color. Much of these physical attributes are to enable the Irish Water Spaniel to resist harsh conditions while hunting. The Irish Water Spaniel also has a gait that covers the ground and is smooth.

History

Although Persian manuscripts dating 4000 BC indicate the presence of Water Dogs, pinpointing the ancestry of the Irish Water Spaniel is quite difficult. The most reliable theory is that the breed is a result of various breeds of dog being brought over to Ireland by Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian fishermen. The earliest record of the breed as we know it today is of a dog named Boatswain owned by Justin McCarthy who was born in Dublin in 1834. All IWSs can trace their ancestry back to this dog.