--- title: "Irish Water Spaniel" id: "191436" type: "breeds" slug: "irish-water-spaniel" published_at: "2022-07-02T04:19:10+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-17T04:27:33+00:00" url: "https://jaxpetland.com/breed/irish-water-spaniel/" markdown_url: "https://jaxpetland.com/breed/irish-water-spaniel.md" excerpt: "The Irish Water Spaniel, a spirited and intelligent breed, has a fascinating history that dates back to the 19th century as a versatile hunting companion in Ireland. These medium-sized pups are known for their distinctive curly coat and delightful personality,..." taxonomy_breed_group: - "Sporting Group" taxonomy_breed_size: - "Large" --- [Back to Breeds](https://jaxpetland.com/breed/) Large breed # Irish Water Spaniel Puppies Often referred to as the spaniel family clown because of the curly hair that peaks between its eyes, as well as its clownish character, the Irish Water Spaniel is one of the most beautiful dog breeds in the world. Also known as the tallest of the spaniel breeds, very agile, lovely, and extremely smart, they are one of the most sought-after breeds in Ireland and England today. Discover more about our **Irish Water Spaniel**puppies for sale below! - Great with kids - Active breed - Alert watchdog - Allergy friendly [Ask about Irish Water Spaniel puppies](#pb-ask) We do not have Irish Water Spaniel puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well. - Exercise 60 min a day ![Irish-Water-Spaniel](https://jaxpetland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/irish-water-spaniel-1-600x600.jpg) Share[https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fjaxpetland.com%2Fbreed%2Firish-water-spaniel%2F](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fjaxpetland.com%2Fbreed%2Firish-water-spaniel%2F) [https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjaxpetland.com%2Fbreed%2Firish-water-spaniel%2F&description=Irish%20Water%20Spaniel%20puppies](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjaxpetland.com%2Fbreed%2Firish-water-spaniel%2F&description=Irish%20Water%20Spaniel%20puppies) ## About the Irish Water Spaniel [Stay connected via Google News Follow us for the latest pet updates and guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=jaxpetland.com) The Irish Water Spaniel, a spirited and intelligent breed, has a fascinating history that dates back to the 19th century as a versatile hunting companion in Ireland. These medium-sized pups are known for their distinctive curly coat and delightful personality, making them a great addition to families seeking both adventure and companionship. Their affectionate nature means they thrive in a loving environment, and their playful spirit makes them wonderful friends for children, often bonding deeply with their young human siblings. Read more about the Irish Water Spaniel Show less As a breed, Irish Water Spaniels possess moderate energy levels, requiring regular exercise to keep them both happy and healthy. Daily walks, playtime in the yard, or even some time splashing around in water will satisfy their playful curiosity. Though they are generally okay in apartments, it’s best if they have access to outdoor spaces where they can engage in activities that allow their playful energy to shine. This breed is known for getting along well with other dogs and usually adapts positively to feline friends, making them suitable for diverse family settings. Grooming your Irish Water Spaniel can be a rewarding experience. With weekly brushing, their beautiful coat stays clean and mat-free. They do shed a moderate amount, so staying consistent with grooming will help manage loose fur around your home. Training an Irish Water Spaniel can be an enjoyable journey as they are fairly trainable and possess a good level of intelligence, responding well to positive reinforcement and consistency. If you are ready to welcome a lively and affectionate companion into your home, consider the lovely Irish Water Spaniel, a breed that will surely bring joy and laughter to your family. Looking for an Irish Water Spaniel in Petland Jacksonville, Florida? You can find the perfect pet to complete your family! [Stay connected via Google News Follow us for the latest pet updates and guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=jaxpetland.com) ## Irish Water Spaniel breed profile Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse. ### Temperament - Affection Very affectionate - Playfulness Very playful - With strangers Warms up - Territorial Somewhat - Prey drive Moderate ### Family & other pets - Young children Good - Older children Good - Other dogs Sociable - Cats With introductions ### Energy & exercise - Energy High - Mental stimulation High ### Training - Trainability Willing learner - Intelligence Very bright - Stubbornness Biddable ### Care & upkeep - Shedding Moderate - Drooling Minimal - Barking Moderate ### Home life - Apartment living Prefers a house - Time alone A few hours - Cold weather Comfortable - Warm weather Average ### A good match for - First-time owners Manageable - Senior owners Suitable - Running partner Good - Hiking Good - Therapy work Possible - Guarding Low ## Living with a Irish Water Spaniel ### Breed History The origin of the Irish Water Spaniel can best be traced to Ireland in the 1830s. ‘Boatswain’, a dog owned by Justin McCarthy is said to be the first dog of the Irish Water Spaniel breed. Mr. McCarthy kept the sources of his breeding a secret until he died, so it is not really clear where exactly the breed came from. It is, however, being speculated that it came from the early Poodle or Barbet dog breeds from France. The Irish Water Spaniel breed was first showcased in 1862, at a show in Birmingham, and it ran in a field trial for the first time in 1899. The breed was introduced to the United States in the 1870s and became popular, although not as popular as it is in its native country, Ireland. ### Temperament Just as it is with most other spaniel breeds, the Irish Water Spaniel has an alert and inquisitive temperament. They may, however, tend to be reserved around strangers, which is unlike many other spaniels. They have a highly independent mind and would often want to get their way with things whenever they can. But they are nonetheless quite trainable, affectionate, and loyal to their owners. Factors that often affect their temperament include heredity, socialization, training, etc. It is best advised to expose your Irish Water Spaniels to different people, sounds, sights, and experiences when they are still puppies as this helps them to grow into well-rounded dogs. ### Environment The Irish Water Spaniel is a very verse and energetic breed. For this, they need enough space to run around as they are also very active. The ideal environment for the Irish Water Spaniel would be a yard with a strong, well-built fence, and enough space for activities that will stimulate them both mentally and physically. The breed is not suited for apartment life as there will not be enough space for it to run around and exercise. This might affect them psychologically and cause them to display irritable characters. A pool in the yard is also recommended for the Irish Water Spaniels as they love to swim and would not hesitate to jump into the water whenever they get the chance. You, however, will have to watch it carefully for safety and make sure to teach it how to safely get out of the pool. ### Exercise The Irish Water Spaniel will have different exercise needs at different stages of its life. At a young age of about 9 to 16 weeks, you can start their exercises by allowing them a playtime of 20 to 30 minutes in the yard every morning and evening. At 4 to 6 months, you can start walking them to half miles and back every day, plus obedience classes and playtime in the yard. From 6 months to 1 year, they can start playing fetch for about 40 minutes in the mornings and evenings, plus a daily half-mile walk. After one year, you can continue to increase their exercise and walk time to 1 hour and more. Make sure the increase in time is gradual with enough rest breaks in-between to allow them to adapt well. This will help to build their developing bones and give them more strength. Exercise is very important to Irish Water Spaniels, and they need constant mental and physical stimulation for a healthy living. If you do not give them enough activities, they might seek entertainment for themselves by displaying irritable characters and destroying your properties. You should also allow them frequent swimming opportunities. ### Grooming Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot of hair. However, they still need to be groomed at least two times every week to keep them clean and to keep their coat from matting and tangling. Their coat carries oil that can easily attract dirt and debris. Because of this, regular brushing is recommended to help keep their skin healthy. It is also advised to clean their ears every time they go for a swim to help them avoid ear infections. Our **Irish Water Spaniel**puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country. The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering **Irish Water Spaniel**puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. ## Caring for a Irish Water Spaniel GroomingWeekly brushing Grooming costAverage Monthly foodAverage Outdoor spaceA yard is recommended Allergy friendlyOften suits allergy sufferers ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Are Irish Water Spaniels suitable for first-time dog owners? Irish Water Spaniels are not the most suitable breed for first-time dog owners because of their strong and independent minds. ### Do Irish Water Spaniels have allergies? Yes. They are allergic to sulfa drugs, leptospirosis component, and such other vaccines. ### How often do Irish Water Spaniels need exercise? Because of their very energetic and active nature, Irish Water Spaniels need daily exercise. ### How do I handle Irish Water Spaniels socialization? Exposing them to different people, sights, sounds, activities, etc. at a tender age is a good way to start. ### Can Irish Water Spaniels really swim? Yes. Irish Water Spaniels are natural swimmers ### Do Irish Water Spaniels get along well with other pets? Not all Irish Water Spaniel can be trusted to be cool with other pets, especially smaller pets. ### Are Irish Water Spaniels prone to any health conditions? Generally, Irish Water Spaniels are a healthy breed, but just like other breeds, they can be prone to some health conditions too. ### How do I get a healthy Irish Water Spaniel? It is best advised to get from reliable and reputable dealers who test their dogs to ensure they are totally healthy. ### How much do Irish Water Spaniels weigh? The male Irish Water Spaniel weighs between 55 to 65 pounds, while the female weighs between 45 to 60 pounds. ### Do Irish Water Spaniels need grooming? Yes. Irish Water Spaniels need constant grooming to stay healthy. If you are looking for an all-round active, intelligent and entertaining dog, the Irish Water Spaniel is just the right option for you. ## Similar Breeds ![Cocker-Spaniel](https://jaxpetland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cocker-spaniel-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Cocker Spaniel](https://jaxpetland.com/breed/cocker-spaniel/) 1 available ![American-Water-Spaniel](https://jaxpetland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/american-water-spaniel-1-300x300.jpg) ### [American Water Spaniel](https://jaxpetland.com/breed/american-water-spaniel/) ![Brittany-Spaniel](https://jaxpetland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/brittany-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Brittany](https://jaxpetland.com/breed/brittany/) ![Chesapeake-Bay-Retriever](https://jaxpetland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/chesapeake-bay-retriever-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Chesapeake Bay Retriever](https://jaxpetland.com/breed/chesapeake-bay-retriever/) ## Ready to Meet Them? Call us to check current availability or to arrange a visit with a Irish Water Spaniel. - [Jacksonville, FL 904-330-0152](tel:9043300152) ## Ask About Irish Water Spaniel Puppies Our pet counselors are ready to help you find your new best friend. "*" indicates required fields ``` Petland Jacksonville 841 Google reviews Write a review Posted on Google Dakota Gunnoe Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Loved this place, TJ was awesome and helped me find what I needed, and he even recommended a good dog food for my new puppy. I can't thank him enough. Posted on Google Kisha Briscoe Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. TJ was great! Very informative and knew his stuff when it came to those puppies! I will definitely be back soon to take home a fur baby!!!!! Posted on Google Sydnie Xo Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Sweetest golden boy ever, veryyyy playful and has plenty of puppy energy to go around! Posted on Google Milton Thompkins Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. TJMax ...Great!!! Posted on Google ella perez Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. so cute and very socialized puppies!!! this is a great place to look or if you want to just play with the little puppies Posted on Google Edward Leonard Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. TJ and his whole crew (Jeanette, Kaitlyn, Shannon) are amazing. They have amazingly bred animals. There is a wide variety of puppies and bunnies. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Posted on Google Elsie Zaragoza Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Katelyn at Petland was excellent in providing information on a particular AKC puppy. She is professional, pleasant and thorough explaining all protective services, warranties, health and training benefits. We are very happy with our bundle of energy purchased. Posted on Google Deanna Henry Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great customer service and we love our new preppy Posted on Google Shawn Greene Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They have a ouch of special dog a lot of options great puppy sanctuary ```