A dog of very ancient lineage, the Irish Water spaniel can be traced back to the period, centuries ago, when the family of spaniels was divided into the land and the water varieties. The water spaniels included the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel as well as both the English and the Irish varieties. Printed in 1607, the book "Historie of the Foure-tooted Beastes", describes and illustrates the "Water Spagnel". The first known painting of an IWS was done in 1841. The Irish Water Spaniel, as its name implies, was developed in Ireland from two different strains which were in existence prior to the 1850's - the "South Country Water Spaniel" and the "North Country Water Spaniel". Both were distinct types in terms of color and size. The Northern dog has short ears, with little feather on them or on the legs, but with considerable curl in this coat. His color was liver with more or less white markings. The Southern dog was invariably solid liver with ears long and well feathered with the entire coat consisting of short, crisp curls. The IWS as we know it today, more closely follows the variety found in Southern IrelandBy 1859, dog shows were providing a special class for the IWS. In Dublin, a sportsman by the name Justin McCarthy sought to isolate the breed type as we know it today. He is given credit for refining the breed from its various varieties into a distinct and repeatable type. His celebrated dog, "Boatswain", was one of the first pure-type and best known of all IWSs. It is not known whether McCarthy saved a dying breed or"manufactured" one from the different varieties at the time. One thing he did do was fix type; no existing breed of dog has a more marked individuality of type and no breed has shown less inclination to diverge from it.Many have suggested that the Irish Water Spaniel came from a cross between the Poodle and another breed. However the only resemblances between these two breeds are a great nose, a desire to hunt game, and a coat that will cord if neglected or allowed to grow long. On yet another vein, one can look at photos of Afghan Hounds from 70 years ago and notice a striking similarity to the IWS: smooth face, topknot, all four legs well feathered with a smooth patch just above the foot, and the body coat shorter than the leg coat. Both may have shared a remotely, ancient common ancestor and gradually over the years, man has shaped the Irish Water Spaniel as we know it todayThe Irish Water Spaniel was quickly received by both Irish and English sportsmen for its bold and daring retrieves, its extreme hardiness in the cold North Sea waters, and its superb disposition. By the 1870s, the reputation of the breed became known in America, and a number were brought over at that time. By 1875, the IWS was the third most popular sporting dog in the U.S. Over the years both field and hobby kennels have produced IWSs of great character, correct breed type and with a natural working ability.
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| GENERAL
APPEARANCE *** The Irish Water Spaniel presents a picture of a smart,
upstanding strongly built sporting dog. Great intelligence is combined
with rugged endurance and a bold, dashing eagerness of temperament.
Distinguishing characteristics are a topknot of long, loose curls, a
body covered with a dense, crisply curled liver colored coat, contrasted
by a smooth face and a smooth rat tail.
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| SIZE
*** PROPORTION*** SUBSTANCE *** Strongly built and well boned, the Irish
Water Spaniel is a dog of medium length, slightly rectangular in
appearance. He is well balanced and shows no legginess or coarseness.
Dogs 22 to 24 inches, bitches 21 to 23 inches, measured at the highest
point of the shoulder. Dogs 55 to 65 pounds, bitches 45 to 58 pounds.\
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| HEAD***
The head is cleanly chiseled, not cheeky, and should not present a
short, wedge shaped appearance. The skull is rather large and high in
the dome, with a prominent occiput and a gradual stop. The muzzle is
square and rather long, with a deep mouth opening and lips fine in
texture. The nose large and liver in color. Teeth strong and regular
with a scissor or level bite. The hair on the face is short and smooth,
except for a beard which grows in a narrow line at the back of the jaw.
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| TOPKNOT
*** A characteristic of the breed, consists of long, loose curls growing
down into a well-defined peak between the eyes and falling like a shawl
over the tops of the ears and occiput. Trimming of this breed
characteristic in an exaggerated manner is highly objectionable.
EYES *** Medium in size, slightly almond shaped with tight eyelids. Eyes are hazel in color, preferably of a dark shade. The expression is keenly alert, intelligent, direct and quizzical.
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| EARS
*** Long, lobular, set low, with leathers reaching about to the end of
the nose when extended forward, and abundantly covered with long curls,
extending two or more inches below the tips of the leathers.
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| NECK
***TOPLINE *** BODY *** The NECK is long, arching, strong and
muscular: smoothly set into cleanly sloping shoulders. TOPLINE-Strong
and level, or slightly higher in the rear; never descending, or showing
sag or roach. BODY-The body is of medium length, slightly rectangular.
Chest deep, with brisket extending to the elbows. Ribs well sprung and
carried well back. Immediately behind the shoulders ribs are flattened
enough to allow free movement of the forelegs, becoming rounder behind.
Loin short, wide and muscular. The body should not present a tucked-up
appearance.
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| FOREQUARTERS
*** The entire front gives the impression of strength without heaviness.
Shoulders are sloping and clean. Forelegs well boned, muscular, medium
in length; with sufficient length of upper arm to ensure efficient
reach. Elbows close set. Forefeet are large, thick and somewhat
spreading; well clothed with hair both over and between the toes.
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| HINDQUARTERS
*** Sound hindquarters are of great importance to provide swimming power
and drive. They should be as high or slightly higher than the shoulders,
powerful and muscular, with well developed upper and second thighs. Hips
wide, stifles moderately bent, hocks set low and moderately bent. Rear
angulation is moderate, and balance of front and rear angulation is of
paramount importance. Rear feet are large, thick and somewhat spreading;
well clothed with hair. Tail should be set on low enough to give a
rather rounded appearance to the hindquarters and should be carried
nearly level with the back.
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| TAIL
*** The so-called "rat-tail" is a striking characteristic of
the breed. At the root it is thick and covered for two or three inches
with short curls. It tapers to a fine point at the end; and from the
root curls is covered with short, smooth hair so as to look as if it had
been clipped. The tail should not be long enough to reach the hock
joint.
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| COAT
*** Proper double coat is of vital importance to protect the dog while
working. The neck, back, sides, and rear are densely covered with tight,
crisp ringlets, with the hair longer underneath the ribs. Forelegs are
well covered with abundant curls or waves. The hind legs should also be
abundantly covered by hair falling in curls or waves, except that the
hair should be short and smooth on the front of the legs below the
hocks. The hair on the throat is very short and smooth, forming a
V-shaped patch. All curled areas should be clearly defined by curls of
sufficient length to form a sharp contrast with the smooth coat on face,
throat, tail, and rear legs below the hocks. Fore and hind feet should
be well clothed with hair both over and between the toes. Dogs may be
shown in natural coat or trimmed. However, no dog should be groomed or
trimmed so excessively as to obscure the curl or texture of the coat.
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| COLOR
** * Solid liver. With the exception of graying due to age, white hair
or markings objectionable.
GAIT *** The Irish Water Spaniel moves with a smooth, free, ground covering action that, when viewed from the side, exhibits balanced reach and drive. True and precise coming and going. When walking or standing, the legs are perpendicular to the ground, toeing neither in nor out.
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| TEMPERAMENT
***Very alert and inquisitive, the Irish Water Spaniel is often reserved
with strangers. However, aggressive behavior or excessive shyness should
be penalized. A stable temperament is essential in a hunting dog.
FAULTS *** The foregoing description is that of the ideal Irish Water Spaniel in hard working condition. Any deviation from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation, keeping in mind the importance of various features toward the basic original purpose of the breed. Note *** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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Irish Water Spaniel 
HISTORY
OF THE IRISH WATER SPANIEL 
