Comparison: American Water Spaniel and Irish Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniel and Irish Water Spaniel are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

American Water Spaniel
Photo: awsguy1 Uploaded by Awsguy1 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Irish Water Spaniel
Photo: Roete002, CC BY 4.0, source
American Water SpanielIrish Water Spaniel
FCI group8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Country of originUnited StatesIreland
CategoryMediumMedium
Height at withers38–46 cm51–59 cm
Weight11–20 kg–
Recognition features
  • Marcel (even-waved) to closely curled liver, brown or dark chocolate coat
  • Medium-sized muscular dog, slightly longer than tall
  • Smooth forehead without topknot, well-haired ears, tail with moderate feathering
  • Dense, tight crisp ringlets in a rich puce-liver colour
  • Smooth face and a V-shaped smooth patch on the throat, with curls on neck and body
  • Distinctive "rat tail"
CoatRanges from marcel (uniform waves) to closely curled, varying across the body; undercoat is important for protection against weather and water. Forehead covered with short smooth hair without topknot; tail hair to the tip with moderate feathering. May be trimmed, ears may be shaved. Colour solid liver, brown or dark chocolate; a little white on toes and chest permissible.Dense, tight, crisp ringlets entirely free from woolliness but with a natural oiliness; neck covered with curls, throat smooth in a V-shaped patch, forelegs abundantly feathered. A very rich puce liver; white on the chest is objectionable.
PurposeAn all-round hunting dog developed in the USA to retrieve from skiffs and canoes and to work the ground with ease.A versatile gundog traditionally the choice of the wildfowler; it adapts to most forms of shooting, hunts, often points, and retrieves readily from heavy cover.

Breed page: American Water Spaniel · Breed page: Irish Water Spaniel

Learn to recognise this breed and many more

In the Dogtice quiz you practise breeds on photos and see the differences between look-alike breeds.

Try the demo quizComing soon to Google Play

The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.