Known as the 'clown' of the spaniel family, the Irish Water Spaniel is the largest and likely oldest breed of spaniels. It is also one of the rarest with only around 500 dogs left in the UK.

Appearance
The Irish Water Spaniel is a stout dog Native to Ireland. The coat consists of dense curls, shedding only slightly. The colour is liver/puce and has a very definite purple hue unlike the colour of any other known breed. Coat is also unusual in that it is comprised of hair, not fur (hence the tendency not to shed). This characteristic means that people usually allergic to dogs might have less of an allergic reaction to Irish Water Spaniels, and also means that the dogs must have regular haircuts, as humans. The dogs are strongly built, and a bit taller and more squarish than other spaniels. There is a curly topknot upon the head and the face is smooth. The most distinguishing characteristic of these dogs is their long "rat-like" tails, which are a striking contrast to their otherwise curly coats. Dogs range in height from 22 to 24 inches (56-61 cm), and weigh 55 to 65 pounds (25-30 kg). As their name would imply these dogs LOVE water and to this end they have evolved slightly webbed feet to aid this.

Temperament
This is an active breed that is usually found in a real working retriever environment. They are smart, quick to learn, alert, and inquisitive. They sometimes display humorous antics while working, earning them their "clownish" reputation. With proper socialisation they can be gentle dogs with family and children, but are often shy around strangers. Irish Water Spaniels require lots of exercise and need an experienced trainer, and therefore are probably not the best choice for a casual dog owner or partment dweller. They also require access to water to swim, an activity they specialise in.

History
Although the current breed stock are Irish, the ultimate origin of the breed is unknown. It is possible that more than one ancient breed of spaniel has gone into its makeup. Irish Water Spaniels share a common lineage with the Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, and Barbet, but whether they are antecedents, descendants, or mixtures of these other breeds is a matter of speculation. What is clear is the breed has ancient roots, though the modern breed as we know it was developed in Ireland in the 1830s.

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