Irish Water Spaniel

• Brief Description 

  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”.

  (Source: Irish Kennel Club)

  
  
• Links to Breed Descriptions 
  • Irish Kennel Club
  
  
• Country of Origin and Parent Breed Club 

  Country of origin: Ireland

  
  
• Health and Well-Being 

  Some sources of health information include:

  1. National kennel clubs and breed clubs (see, e.g. Breeding/Health Strategy Documents, below)
  2. Population-level statistics (see, e.g., Swedish Insurance Data, below)
  3. Research articles
  4. Breed club surveys
  
  
• Breed Standards 

  There are numerous breed standards.

  The basis of breed/conformation shows is the judging of pedigree dogs against the 'Breed Standard', which is a picture in words that describes the range of features that are deemed appropriate for the breed.

  Three of the major international standards are:

  The American Kennel Club

  The Kennel Club, UK

  FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale)

   

  
  
• Breed-Specific Statistics 

  1. Swedish Insurance Data Breed-specific information on rates of disease and death from Agria Pet Insurance (Agria Djurförsäkring) is available for many breeds.

  
  
• Breeding/Health Strategy Documents 

  Health/Breeding Strategy Documents and Links:

  1. The Kennel Club, UK: Breed Watch
  2. Sweden: Breed-specific Breeding Strategies: (in Swedish) and/ or English summary
  3. Finland
  
  
• Breed-Specific DNA Tests 

  The Kennel Club list of DNA tests available for each breed along with an indication as to whether the test is part of the Assured Breeder Scheme (recommended or required) and whether it is recorded on the Kennel Club registration database: http://www.dogwellnet.com/content/_/health-and-breeding/screening-tests/dna/dna-tests-for-use-in-breeding-decisions/the-kennel-club-breed-specific-dna-tests-upd-r234

  
  
• Breed Clubs 

  We are listing sites for breed clubs with health or other information that might be helpful. Follow links below.

  
  

Edited September 11, 20178 yr by Dave St. Louis