Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel (Irish: An Spáinnéar Uisce) is a breed of dog that is the tallest of the spaniels. It is one of Ireland's nine native dog breeds, also known as a "bog-dog". As a common hunting dog, they were often kept by historic landowning classes along with minor gentry, who commonly hunted and shot game. Performing a wide range of skills, such as the combined duties of pointers, setters, retrievers, and spaniels, they were a good fit for people who were unable to keep a team of dogs. The breed thrives in a working environment. They often love to please their owners, hunting and retrieving game happily. They are characterized by their curly coat, a distinctive "rat tail", and webbed feet, being very active and intelligent. They have a lifespan of about 10-12 years. Their inquisitive nature has earned them the nickname the "clown" of the spaniel family, and they'll often find surprising methods to complete tasks.Historically bred to hunt animals in marine settings such as marshes, today, their webbed feet make them skilled swimmers and are still used to hunt waterfowl. Now considered a rare breed, only a few thousand exist today, classifying them as a vulnerable native breed.
| Life Span | 10-14 years |
| Weight | 10-30 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an Irish Water Spaniel
Finding a responsible Irish Water Spaniel breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells dogs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Irish Water Spaniel. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Irish Water Spaniels appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for an Irish Water Spaniel breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
Search USDA Breeders
