Irish Water Spaniels are medium to large-sized dogs, most weighing 44 to 70 pounds and standing around 20 to 23 inches tall. Males generally stand between 22 to 23 inches at the shoulder, while females are slightly smaller.

Irish Water Spaniels generally reach their full adult size between 12 to 18 months of age. They may still mature physically and mentally for a few more months after this time. Proper nutrition, exercise, and care during their growth stages are crucial for ensuring that they develop into healthy adults.

A healthy Irish Water Spaniel will have a lifespan of about 12 to 13 years. Like all breeds, their longevity can be influenced by factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, and overall health care. Regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, and an active lifestyle can contribute to a longer and healthier life for your Irish Water Spaniel.

Yes, Irish Water Spaniels shed, although they shed very lightly and can be a great companion to allergy sufferers. Their curly, water-resistant coat is designed to be low-shedding compared to many other breeds. Although they shed less, their coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and to keep it healthy. Weekly brushing is recommended to manage their curls and remove loose hair.

Yes, the Irish Water Spaniel is capable of getting along with cats, but it’s best if they’re raised alongside them or adequately socialized to them. The breed was bred to hunt and retrieve small, furry things, but training and supervision can guide them to behave appropriately around feline companions. Irish Water Spaniel’s interactions with cats will largely depend on individual temperament, early socialization, and proper introduction.

Yes, Irish Water Spaniels are great with kids and sometimes have enough energy to outpace any child. This makes them fantastic playmates to older children, especially those who know how to behave properly around animals. Irish Water Spaniels form strong bonds with family members and have a protective streak, which can add an extra layer of security for the family.

As with any breed, it is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your Irish Water Spaniel to keep both the child and dog safe. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child, as is teaching dogs how to interact gently with children.

Yes, Irish Water Spaniels get along well with other dogs due to their sociable nature. Their playful and energetic disposition often makes them good playmates for other dogs.  Early socialization and proper introductions are key to ensuring positive interactions with other dogs. Exposing them to different dogs and environments while they are young can help them develop good social skills. However, their independent and playful nature means they may play rough or exhibit assertive behavior. Proper training and socialization can help manage this and ensure they interact well with their peers.

Irish Water Spaniels have a deep bark that they use sparingly – they’re not a very vocal breed. They are generally alert and responsive, which means they might bark to alert their parents to the presence of strangers or unusual activity. However, they are not typically known to be excessive barkers. With proper training and socialization, you can help manage their barking and teach them when it’s appropriate to bark and when to be quiet.

Yes, Irish Water Spaniels can make excellent family dogs. They are friendly, energetic, and affectionate, which makes them well-suited to family life. The Irish Water Spaniel used to be one of the most popular breeds in America, and though they are now considered a rare breed, they are no less delightful, easygoing, and people-pleasing companions. They often seek out attention and enjoy spending time with their loved ones. They are smart and eager to learn, which can make training relatively straightforward, and their energy levels can be a great match for active kids. They do have a lot of energy and require quite a lot of exercise, so an active family would be the best match for this human-loving breed.

Yes, the Irish Water Spaniel rates very high in intelligence and is thus quite easily trainable using positive reinforcement techniques. Their intelligence makes them capable of picking up new skills and understanding training cues. They are often eager to please their pet parents, which can make training more straightforward. Positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats, praise, and play, work well with this breed. Incorporating engaging activities and varied training exercises can keep them motivated.

While they are generally trainable, Irish Water Spaniels can have a strong independent streak due to their history as working dogs. This means they might sometimes test boundaries or need more patience and consistency in training. Early socialization and training are important. Begin training and socializing your Irish Water Spaniel while they are still a puppy to help them develop good habits and behaviors.

Just keep in mind that even if a certain dog breed is known to be easy to train, training any dog requires a long-term commitment.

Yes, Irish Water Spaniels are smart dogs. Their intelligence is one of their notable traits and contributes to their effectiveness as working dogs and companions. They are capable of learning commands and tasks quickly. Their ability to understand and retain training makes them responsive to various commands and training exercises. They have good problem-solving skills, can figure out puzzles, and can be trained to perform a wide range of tasks and tricks. 

Make sure to provide your Irish Water Spaniel with plenty of mental stimulation and engaging activities, as well as consistent training and clear communication. They benefit from structured training sessions and positive reinforcement.

Yes, Irish Water Spaniels are friendly dogs. They are affectionate with families and often seek out companionship. They have a playful and energetic disposition, which makes them enjoyable playmates. They are generally sociable and can get along well with new people and other animals, especially if they have been properly socialized from a young age. Irish Water Spaniels are known for their loyalty to their families. They form strong bonds with their pet parents and can be protective of their loved ones.

Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone for moderate periods, but they do best with some form of companionship or mental stimulation during the day. Irish Water Spaniels are social and can become lonely or bored if left alone for too long. They thrive on interaction and may become anxious or stressed if left alone frequently or for extended periods. They have high energy levels and need regular exercise and mental stimulation. If left alone for long periods, they may become restless and exhibit destructive behaviors.

Gradual training can help them become more comfortable with being alone. Start with short periods and gradually increase the duration as they become more accustomed to it. Providing engaging toys and puzzles can help keep them occupied. If possible, consider arranging for a dog walker, pet sitter, or doggy daycare to provide additional interaction and stimulation during the day.

Irish Water Spaniels are, as their name suggests, from Ireland. Justin McCarthy is credited with creating the breed in the 1830s. McCarthy didn’t leave behind any breeding records, so we are not sure of what exact breeds helped create this water-loving, brave retriever spaniel, but they were originally bred as versatile hunting dogs, known for their excellent skills in retrieving game from water and land.

The Irish Water Spaniel comes in one specific color: liver. Their coat color is uniform and should be rich and glossy. The Irish Water Spaniel is known for their curly, water-resistant coat.

Irish Water Spaniels are mostly a very healthy breed. Diseases to watch out for include: 

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing an Irish Water Spaniel, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia so you know what they will be able to handle regarding activities and exercise.

• Eye issues: This breed may develop progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness, and distichiasis, an abnormal growth of eyelashes on the margin of the eye (the extra eyelashes and abnormal location result in irritation to the eye).

• Hypothyroidism: This thyroid malfunction results in low hormone production and could cause obesity, low energy, and a brittle coat.

• Gastric dilatation-volvulus: This is a sudden, painful, and life-threatening swelling and twisting of the abdomen. 

To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip, ear, and blood tests for the dog.

Irish Water Spaniels are not considered hypoallergenic, but they are often better suited for people with allergies compared to some other breeds. Their curly, water-resistant coat is less likely to shed heavily compared to some other breeds. The curls can help trap dander, which might reduce the amount of allergens in the environment. 

People with allergies to dogs may still have reactions to Irish Water Spaniels, as individual sensitivities vary. It’s essential to spend time with the breed before making a decision to see how your allergies might be affected.