Irish Water Spaniel dog: proper care, breed description and reviews

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Irish Water Spaniel dog: proper care, breed description and reviews
Irish Water Spaniel dog: proper care, breed description and reviews

Video: Irish Water Spaniel dog: proper care, breed description and reviews

Video: Irish Water Spaniel dog: proper care, breed description and reviews
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The history of this breed is unknown. Scientists have several versions about the possible ancestors of these dogs. One version says that their ancestors are barbets, or, in other words, an extinct breed of English water spaniels. Another version: the ancestors of Irish Water Spaniels are Portuguese water dogs, which were brought by fishermen. It is known that in the 12th century Irish Spaniels were increasingly used as hunting dogs. This breed also has poodles among its ancestors. It is to them that spaniels owe their curly hair. 1859 - this period is considered the birth of the breed, because then they were more actively engaged in its breeding.

irish water spaniel
irish water spaniel

Description of the breed

The Irish Spaniel is obviously not suitable for inexperienced owners, those who take a dog for the first time in their lives. These dogs have remarkable strength and energy, so they need long walks and a lot of active games. Socialization at an early age is not required (the dog is not aggressive).

Physique

Such a dog has almostsquare body. The dog should not appear angular or too light. The constitution of representatives of this breed should give the impression of a strong, powerful and hardy dog with a strong spine.

irish water spaniel
irish water spaniel

This medium sized strong dog is the tallest of the spaniels. She has a proportional head, a powerful and long muzzle, a wide and large nose. The color is usually brown.

Head

Spaniels have a high-set head. The muzzle of representatives of this breed is long. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is quite well marked. Spaniel eyes are small and ideally dark brown. These dogs have a correct bite and a powerful mouth. The nose is usually chocolate or brown in color, fairly wide and large. Long floppy ears are covered with curly hair.

Limbs

The Spaniel has powerful front and hind legs, which will provide a good push when running and free movement of the body. The hind limbs of these dogs are more muscular than the front.

irish water spaniel kennel
irish water spaniel kennel

Tail

What is the distinguishing feature of the breed? Rat tail. In Irish Water Spaniels, it is quite short. At the base it is covered with long hair and is very thick, and then narrows, the hair is shortened, starting to fit snugly to the tail.

Wool cover

A dog with a coat that is practically impervious to moisture and does not shed is the Irish Water Spaniel. The nursery can offer representatives of the liver orliver color and velvety or lilac sheen. The whole body of the spaniel is covered with thick curly curly hair with developed undercoat. Longer hair can be on the beard, on the head as a small "cap", and also on the underside of the chest. On the muzzle, neck, end of the tail is short hair that fits snugly to the body.

dog irish water spaniel
dog irish water spaniel

Character

Non-aggressive and very good-natured dog - Irish Water Spaniel. The breed, or rather its representatives, under the condition of competent socialization, gets along well with everyone around. The spaniel is very energetic and needs long-term active walks. Cowardice and aggression in this breed are considered vices. He is very wary of strangers, but not aggressive at all.

Temperament

According to the owners, the Irish Water Spaniel is a self-confident, loyal and very intelligent dog. This is a family dog that requires a lot of attention. Representatives of this breed truly love human contact. They are best suited for families where the children have reached an older age, however, this dog will never offend the little ones either. If a pet is well socialized, then it will get along well with other companion animals. As a rule, spaniels are quiet dogs and only bark when they need to. According to the owners, they are protective dogs.

Irish Water Spaniel dog: proper care

All the rules of care for keeping the dog in good shape are simple, but require regular implementation. If the dog isprospective exhibitor, she needs a series of procedures that will keep the wool within the norms of the standard. If a representative of the breed is just a pet, then the coat is simply sheared, making it easier to care for.

dog irish water spaniel proper care
dog irish water spaniel proper care

The Irish Water Spaniel is easy to care for. This dog needs proper coat care, proper nutrition and sufficient physical activity. The spaniel is combed and the ears are examined. Also, the dog needs regular visits to the veterinarian to prevent various diseases: representatives of this breed are prone to bone cancer, so it is necessary to monitor the well-being of the pet and, in case of any suspicion, take him to the doctor.

Ears

The Irish Water Spaniel has floppy ears. Like many other breeds with such ears, it can develop inflammation. Washing them regularly and removing secretions with cotton swabs will help to avoid such problems. If there is too much discharge, then this is a possible consequence of an already existing inflammatory process.

Wool

Description of the dog breed Irish Water Spaniel first of all tells about the thick, long and curly coat that protects pets from cold weather and at the same time does not prevent them from swimming. On the muzzle and on the tail, the hair is short and smooth, and on the head there is a small cap with bangs of longer wool. Also, longer hair grows on the hanging ears of dogs. Representatives of the breed need to be combed: if the coat is regularlycut, you can remove dead hairs with a brush once a week. If the dog has long hair, then it is necessary to use special combs and disassemble the tangled hair, especially on the ears. Mild shampoo and infrequent washing will keep the coat from becoming too coarse.

irish water spaniel breed
irish water spaniel breed

Activity

Let's talk about mobility. The Irish Water Spaniel needs regular exercise. It can consist in games and long walks. Thanks to this, the excess energy of the dog will not be reflected on your favorite sofa or Persian rug.

Puppies

Babies need the same care as adults of the breed. Initially, most of the procedures are carried out only so that the puppy gets used to them. So, being already an adult dog, he will not resist care.

Training

The Irish Water Spaniel, like many other hunting dogs, is distinguished by deep intelligence, and this is confirmed by many owners of these wonderful animals. The dog lends itself well to training and quickly learns new information. They begin to educate her from the first days of her appearance in the house. The sooner she begins the period of socialization, the faster and easier it will pass.

Training this breed of dog begins with obedience training. She is taught to respond to her name: this is one of the easiest ways to establish contact with a pet. The Irish Water Spaniel requires very strict handling. The owners note that there is stubbornness in the nature of this breed, so you should bepatient and persistent in raising the young.

If you intend to use a puppy for hunting, then from the first days of life it must be taught endurance. To do this, he is kept near a bowl of food. Further, the dog (Irish Water Spaniel) is trained to search for prey using ordinary games. Only an obedient puppy can be taken on a hunt. However, even if you want to raise a pet for yourself, the dog still needs strict education.

Irish Water Spaniel Dog Breed Description
Irish Water Spaniel Dog Breed Description

The Irish Water Spaniel can be brought up and trained without much difficulty: only a certain amount of attention, patience and rigor is needed. The dog calmly treats small and large animal cohabitants. She simply adores children, especially if they want to play, and is completely non-aggressive towards strangers. The Irish Water Spaniel will never offend a baby and will always stand up for him.

Owners advise bringing a dog into a large family.

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