The Irish Water Spaniel is breed of dog that is the largest and one of the oldest of spaniels. It is also one of the rarest. This is an active breed that is usually found in a real working retriever environment.

They are intelligent, quick to learn, alert, and inquisitive. Gentle with those they know, as well as protective of the family and home. They are a natural retriever and a good swimmer with webbed toes making them a powerful swimmer.

The largest of the spaniels, the Irish Water Spaniel is a solid brown crisp-textured and curly-coated. Both the face and tail have short hair as contrasted with the long curls of the body.

The Irish Water Spaniel is the sole surviving water dog of the British Isles. Its exact origins are unknown, although it is generally thought to have evolved in part from dogs brought to Ireland by way of the Iberian Peninsula. By the mid-nineteenth century, the breed had been developed as a retriever of waterfowl, and soon became America's most popular retrieving breed.

In appearance little has changed in over 150 years, and these dogs are still bred for their original purposes - for hunting and as a companion dogs. A reliable watch dog, the breed has slowly increased in numbers.

Water Spaniels are devoted companions, but demand attention. They are boisterous and enjoy outdoor romping. Irish Water Spaniels love being inside but are not considered a house dog because of their size. They are not recommended for families with toddlers, very small children or inactive people.

The normal height is 19-24 inches and weight is 40-65 pounds.