Irish Water Spaniel

Temperament: Playful, Hardworking, Brave

Group: Sporting Group

Height: 53.3–61.0 in

Weight: 20.4–30.8 lb

Life Expectancy: 12.0–13.0 yrs

Energy Level: Needs Lots of Activity

Trainability: Easy Training

Shedding: Seasonal

Grooming Frequency: Weekly Brushing

Standing 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder and weighing 55 to 65 pounds, the Irish Water Spaniel straddles the line between “medium” and “large” dogs on our scale of size. Among its distinguishing characteristics are a crisply curled, liver-colored, waterproof coat; a tapered “rat tail”; and a cleanly chiseled head crowned with a topknot of long, loose curls. The IWS moves with a smooth ground-covering gait, enabling him to put in a long day’s work in the field. The tallest of the AKC’s spaniels, the Irish Water Spaniel is instantly recognizable by its crisply curled coat and tapering “rat tail.” Among the champion swimmers of dogdom, the alert and inquisitive IWS is hardworking and brave in the field, and playfully affectionate at home.