FAQs

How do I find out more about the Irish Water Spaniel breed?

The Irish Water Spaniel Club of America has a wonderful site with many excellent videos and articles for you to examine. Other suggestions to check out are the Sporting Irish Water Spaniel Club, visit a local dog show if you see an IWS is entered and of course, find a local breeder who can put you in touch with examples of the breed for you to meet. Meeting the breed should be a must… there’s nothing quite like an introduction to an Irish Water Spaniel!

How much do Irish Water Spaniels cost and why?

While prices range, Irish Water Spaniels are often roughly about $3000US. That is our current price for a puppy. Most purebred Irish Water Spaniel breeders do extensive OFA and CERF testing to achieve Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) certification on their breeding stock. That means X-rays for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia with board-certified veterinary radiologists, an echo cardiogram with a cardiologist for heart abnormalities, eye exams with veterinary ophthalmologists and optional thyroid blood screening. We encourage all puppy seekers to think twice about high-cost puppies that are “vet checked”, have “champion bloodlines” or “designer colours” but have no real health data or competition titles to justify the cost.

Why can’t I find an Irish Water Spaniel puppy? If they’re so great, why are they so hard to get?

Irish Water Spaniels average 300-350 puppies born per year in North America. Luckpuddle kennels only averages a litter once every couple of years. You may have to wait quite a long while or travel quite a distance to another kennel to get your very own Irish Water Spaniel puppy. They are a unique, very challenging and special breed and you may find Irish Water Spaniel breeders are very selective for the right performance and show homes where their dogs can thrive. They are also not fashionable, popular or trendy, and therefore breeders who want to breed for profit and for the “pet market” basically can’t exist. They are a labour of love.

I have allergies in my family, are Irish Water Spaniels hypoallergenic / non-shedding?

Irish Water Spaniels have a double curly coat that is short and smooth on the muzzle and the tail. No dog breed is “hypoallergenic”, but they are often very good for people with canine allergies. Meeting the breed and even the specific bloodlines you are getting a puppy from is recommended. Their undercoat catches in the top layer so they are very low-shedding, but not non-shedding. You will find occasional tumbleweeds in the house. Regular grooming at home or regular trips to the groomer to be clipped is required.