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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

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

About the Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel is a charming breed known for its playful nature and distinctive curly coat, making it a wonderful companion for families. With origins that trace back to Ireland, this breed has a rich history as both a water retriever and a loyal family pet. Their affectionate disposition and love for social interaction make them an excellent fit for households with children and other dogs, where they often thrive in playful environments.

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Though they are of medium size, Irish Water Spaniels possess a moderate energy level, requiring regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy. Daily walks and interactive playtime will ensure they get the activity they need. However, they can adapt to smaller living spaces, as long as their exercise needs are met. They are generally quite trainable and intelligent, responding well to positive reinforcement techniques. The love for their humans shines through in their eagerness to please, which can lead to excellent training experiences.

Grooming this breed involves a weekly commitment to maintain their unique coat and keep shedding at a moderate level. Though they are known to shed, proper grooming helps minimize this while keeping their coat looking its best. With a joyful temperament and compatibility with various family members, the Irish Water Spaniel is sure to bring laughter and companionship into your home. If you’re looking for a delightful and engaging pet, consider visiting Petland Batavia, Illinois, to meet this wonderful breed.

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 Friendly
  • Territorial Relaxed
  • Prey drive Moderate

Family & other pets

  • Young children Good
  • Older children Excellent
  • Other dogs Sociable
  • Cats With introductions

Energy & exercise

  • Energy High
  • Mental stimulation High

Training

  • Trainability Quick to learn
  • 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 Good
  • Guarding Alert

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 licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country. 

The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the 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

Grooming
Weekly brushing
Grooming cost
Average
Monthly food
Average
Outdoor space
A yard is recommended
Allergy friendly
Often 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.

Similar Breeds

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Kevin
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Amazing staff. All very nice and answered all my questions. I loved all the dogs but I had to see the dog named Kevin! I went in with a completely negative view on petlands but the staff really changed my mind by going over all the breeder info, If I am ever in need of a puppy I will go there and you should too.
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Cecilia Caballero
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We came at a time they were very busy and never once did we feel rushed, or given attitude while asking questions. The two on staff were amazing and sweet!
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Noelle Chaney
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I went in to get my dogs nails trimmed and was met with a smile and warm greeting from an employee, Dean. The trimming was quick and they really showed my scared dog good care. It was the most pleasant experience I’ve had when it comes to some of these pet places!
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Shayna V
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We just went for a walk”puppy therapy.” Look at how cute they are. I was a little surprised that considering how few customers were in at the time & yet we only got a “let us know if we can help you with anything” and that was it. There were plenty of employees in store, as it was probably the beginning of the Friday night shift, before families started coming in. I had made an appointment, just in case we decided to see any of the dogs. I guess I’m accustomed to the employees being more personal and wanting to tell me things based on the conversation my group is having without me having to reach out to them.
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