#irishdog

𝑰𝑹𝑰𝑺𝑯 𝑾𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑺𝑷𝑨𝑵𝑰𝑬𝑳

The exact origins of the

breed remain obscure. Generally it is thought that Water Spaniels

evolved from dogs that originated in Persia and came to Ireland via

Spain. The first Irish reference to “ water dogs that pursue water

fowl” dates from 1600, so we know that dogs with waterproof coats

were used in Ireland even before the advent of the fowling piece.

There is no real evidence of the ancestry of the Irish Water Spaniel

except in its most peculiar feature-the rat tail. This feature appears

in no similar dog and makes it very likely that the modern breed had

an indigenous Irish ancestor. The tail has given rise to the names “

Whip Tail” and “ Rat Tail”. In any event the descendants of these

dogs were accepted and achieved great success on show benches in

the second half of the 19th century. In 1890 the Irish Water Spaniel

Club was formed to promote the interests of the breed.

Smart, upstanding, strongly built, compact or cobby

#imagine: www.enci.it