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
#text FCI-Standard N° 124
