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The Irish Water Spaniel is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Bogdog. It was developed from the old Southern Irish Water Spaniel, mainly as a waterfowl retriever, but also as a breed that can be trained to point.  This is the largest of the spaniel dog breeds. Unlike the spaniels, which are specialized for flushing, this is a dog that leaps into the cold waters to bring back dead or wounded waterfowl. He has been described as "a lamb at home and a lion in the chase". Having great stamina and speed, as well as a very fine nose, the Irish Water Spaniel loves water and can withstand almost any temperature. Once they hit the water, their webbed feet allow them to paddle with ease and their long tails act like rudders. Irish Waters will break through ice to reach a duck, retrieve it and be willing to do it again.
The IWS is cool and reserved with strangers, and in general is not sociable with other dogs. These dogs require as much mental stimulation as physical activity.
Photo courtesy of domainehaisha.com
Irish Water Spaniel Breed Outline
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Country of Origin: | Ireland |
| FCI Classification: |
Group 8 - Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs; Section 3 - Water Dogs (with working trial)
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| AKC Classification: |
Sporting Group |
| Utilization: |
Generally used as retriever of waterfowl, he can be trained to point and retrieve from heavy cover. |
| Personality: | Strong-willed, bold and eager hunter. Fun-loving, loyal, calm and very intelligent family companion. He tends to devote himself to the entire family. |
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Size: | Medium |
| Height: | 21-24 inches at shoulders |
| Colors: |
Solid liver; white markings are not allowed. |
| Coat: |
Double waterproof coat: soft undercoat and dense, curly outercoat. |
| Other Names: | The Bogdog |
| Litter Size: | 4-6 |
| Life Span: | 12 years |
| Grooming Requirements: | Since the coat attracts burrs like Velcro, he needs to be brushed and combed at least twice a week to avoid accumulation of dirt and prevent matting. Matted hair must be broken because it can pull against the dog's skin and cause sores. The breed can be shown in natural coat or trimmed. |
| Shedding: | Little |
| Social skills: |
Irish Water Spaniels are not usually sociable with other dogs. |
| Suitability for Children: | The IWS makes a wonderful companion for children, but because of his size, he is probably not suited for families with toddlers.
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| Exercise Needs: | This is an active sporting breed and exercise must be a an important part of his daily routine. |
| Train Ability: | The breed is easily trained, very easy to housebreak, obedient and very intelligent. However, he is also independent thinker and balks at repetitious drills. He makes a dedicated and very instinctive hunting companion which easily adapts to marshy ground. The breed is "soft-mouthed" which means that it does not harm the bird when he picks it up. |
| Health & Behavior Issues: | Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, seizures, entropion, paronychia.
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More about Irish Water Spaniel
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