Sketch by SueB.
When looking for a new gundog I guess it would be fair to say that most people will go for a Labrador or ESS based on their breeding and their reliability in the shooting field. A breed such as the Irish Water Spaniel is not a breed that readily comes to mind when a decision has to be made. It is usually overlooked as are many of the minor gundog breeds, by passed or not even considered.
However, the breed like most minor breeds does and always has had a dedicated following in the shooting field. Years back in the late 1930’s and 1940’s it was a breed whose owners both showed the dogs in the show ring and shot over them. However, the onset of the war years took their toll on the breed and it declined in popularity.
A minor native Irish breed and the last of the original water dogs it has many characteristics that make it a versatile and useful gundog in the shooting field. Its strengths are that it will hunt / flush / retrieve and many also point. so can be trained to fill a number of roles. IWS are sometimes considered a one man or family dog and they can also be slightly reserved in nature. Their coat is always liver in colour and is best kept clipped or cut short. The breed does not moult as such and can often be tolerated by those suffering from allergies.
IWS also have their draw backs, one the nature of the breed itself, it is slow to mature and highly intelligent. As a result training requires patience and thought. It is often best to seek advice and help from a professional gundog trainer or gundog society.
In the late 30’s / 40’s / 50’s the Irish Water Spaniel Association ran Field Trials for the breed. The stalwarts of the breed at that time were Florence and Fred Taylor, Andrew Haydock, Lt. Col. Guy Thompson, Florence Barrington, Gwen Barrington, Picia Harvey-Kelly, and Joan Long to name but a few. Most of these enthusiasts were the people that showed, worked and also shot over their dogs.
During the 70’s / 80’s somewhat of a revival came about in Ireland where the breed has always run as a retriever for competitive purposes, and at that time Eddie Lennon of the Lisnabrogue kennels began to pave a way for others to follow. He had successes in both Novice and Open stake Field Trials and made up two Field Trial Champions running against some of Ireland’s top Any Variety filed trial dogs. The dogs were also shown a requirement of the IKC to make up a dogs title. Proof indeed that it is possible to train this breed up to a very high standard.
During 1980 and 1990 the breed was re- classified for competition in the UK by the EKC to run as a retriever. The Irish Water Spaniel again ran Field Trials, this time A.V. except labs or goldens; these were very successful and the IWS kennels that featured in their awards were Pepi Barrington’s Fynder, Martyn Ford’s Cuboglach Elaine Griffin’s Tyheulog, and Lois Ferrans Killountain. These successful dogs were also run in general A.V. Novice stakes and gained awards.
At the present time the organisation dedicated to the working Irish Water Spaniel is the Sporting Irish Water Spaniel Club. They now have K.C recognition and are to run their first A.V. Novice Field Trial in December 2009. An enthusiastic body which hold many working events both breed confined and Any Variety where visitors and spectators are always welcome.
When looking for an IWS puppy for work, I would look for breeders that consider temperament, health and working ability as paramount. I would look for pedigrees with dogs that have Field Trial awards. The gene pool in IWS has been limited but with the introduction of the Pet Passport scheme, some breeders have been introducing different bloodlines form thee US and the continent.
The IWS has always been considered the clown of the gundog group, a breed with a sense of humour. They make outstanding working dogs and great family companions, most people who have once had an IWS become hooked and will invariably seek out another.