Comparison: Irish Water Spaniel and Spanish Water Dog

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

	Irish Water Spaniel	Spanish Water Dog
FCI group	8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs	8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Country of origin	Ireland	Spain
Category	Medium	Medium
Height at withers	51–59 cm	40–50 cm
Weight	–	14–22 kg
Recognition features	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"	Always curly, woolly coat that may form cords when long White, black, chestnut or bicoloured (white with black or brown) Rustic, rather elongated athletic dog with triangular drooping ears
Coat	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.	Always curly and woolly; curly when short, may form cords when long. Complete even clipping is accepted. Colours: solid (white, black, chestnut in their shades) or bicoloured (white and black or white and brown); tricolours and black and tan or hazelnut and tan are not admitted.
Purpose	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.	Used as a shepherd dog, hunting dog and assistant to the fisherman.

Breed page: Irish Water Spaniel · Breed page: Spanish Water Dog

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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.