Water gundog Large size 20-30 kg

Irish Water Spaniel

A clever, energetic curly-coated retriever with a low-shedding coat - a joy for active outdoorsy owners, but easily bored and reserved with strangers.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
20-30 kg, 51-59 cm
Very high
Activity
Built for all-day work; needs serious daily exercise
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Pack-minded; dislikes long hours alone
Easy
Trainability
Willing and quick with consistency
Moderate
Coat care
Curly coat mats; brush and clip regularly
Good
Fit with kids
Good with kids given supervision
Good
Other pets
Pack-social; usually fine with other dogs
Light
Health burden
Hips, eyes, and ears to watch

The Irish Water Spaniel typically weighs 20-30 kg, stands 51-59 cm, and lives 11-13 years.

Consider this breed if…

you are outdoors and active daily and want a dog to bring along,
you like water, swimming, and retrieving games,
you want a low-shedding coat and will keep up the grooming,
you can give real training and daily exercise, not just walks.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would regularly be alone 6 or more hours,
you want a laid-back, low-energy house dog,
you dislike regular brushing and clipping of a curly coat,
you cannot commit to consistent training and socialization.

A typical day with a Irish Water Spaniel

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    45-60 min run, swim, or retrieving work
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest, chew, settle near you
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Walk with sniffing and short training
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Fetch or water play if available
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk or a training session
  6. 21:00 · Night
    A well-worked dog settles calmly

Temperament and training

Trainability High
Energy Very high
Reserve with strangers Moderate
Playfulness High
Sensitivity Moderate
Independence Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Underestimating the exercise a working water dog needs · Skipping coat care until the curls mat badly · Harsh handling with a sensitive, thinking breed

Family and environment

Kids Good
Playful with older kids; supervise the bouncy energy.
Dogs Good
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Retrieving drive means best raised together.
Apartment Poor
Too active and needs space; hard in a flat.
House with a yard Suitable
A secure yard helps, but does not replace exercise.
City Manages
Workable with committed daily activity.
Countryside Ideal
Space and water are what this breed loves.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock; manage weight and joint load
Progressive retinal atrophy Inherited; DNA tests exist in many lines
Chronic ear infections Drop, hairy ears need regular cleaning
Hypothyroidism Manageable with daily medication

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Another curly water retriever
Curly Coated Retriever
An independent, athletic retriever with a distinctive curly coat - loyal and versatile for active owners who enjoy training.
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Smaller water-working cousin
American Water Spaniel
A rare, versatile hunting spaniel that is eager and biddable, suited to an active owner who will keep its curly coat in order.
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Low-shedding, clever, and active
Poodle (Standard)
A sharp, athletic, low-shedding all-rounder whose coat trades shed hair for a standing grooming appointment you cannot skip.
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Frequently asked questions

How much does an Irish Water Spaniel cost?
This is an uncommon breed, so expect waitlists and limited litters. Puppies from health-tested lines commonly run about $1,500-$3,000 in the US, sometimes more with import or shipping. Over an 11-13 year life, food, grooming, and routine vet care typically add $12,000-$20,000 or more, and a chronic issue like joint disease can push that higher.
Does an Irish Water Spaniel shed?
Very little. The tight curly coat sheds minimally, which is part of the appeal, but that same coat needs regular brushing and periodic clipping to stay free of mats. It is low-shedding, not low-maintenance.
Is an Irish Water Spaniel hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but the low-shedding curly coat means less loose hair and dander around the home than many breeds. People with mild allergies sometimes tolerate them better, though reactions vary from person to person.
Do they make good family dogs?
Yes for active families. They are affectionate and playful with their people and good with older kids, but they are energetic and can be reserved with strangers. A home that walks, hikes, or swims daily gets the best out of the breed.