Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Water Spaniels have a intelligent, alert, and energetic nature. The Irish Water Spaniel is used in hunting, as with other spaniel breeds, which takes advantage of their swimming and retrieving abilities.

Irish Water Spaniels may have a wary or reserved nature with strangers, this indicates they may have a low level fear or concern about them. To reduce the development of fear-based defensive aggression socialisation from an early age is recommended.

Irish Water Spaniel History:

The Irish Water Spaniel has ancient roots, and is considered to be the oldest and biggest of all the Spaniel breeds. The current modern version of the Irish Water Spaniel was developed in the 1830's, the founding father, named "Boatswain", was born in Dublin in 1834. It is very possible that the Irish Water Spaniel shares a common ancestry with the Poodle, the Portuguese Water Dog and the Barbet, although their exact lineage is unknown.

In Britain Irish Water Spaniels became popular for their skill and ability at retrieving game from frigid waters. They were first recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1878. In 1875 they were one of the most popular sporting dogs in Britain and America, however today they are much rarer.