Appearance
The Irish Water Spaniel is the largest and one of the oldest spaniels, as well as the most rare. They are stout and cobby dogs native to Ireland.
The dogs are strongly built, taller and more squarish than other spaniels. There is a curly topknot on the head, the face is smooth. The most distinguishing characteristic of these dogs is their medium length "rat-like" tails, which are a striking contrast to their otherwise curly coats.
Coat and Color
The coat, consisting of dense curls, sheds very little, making them a good dog for people who are generally allergic to dogs. The color is liver and puce with a very definite purple hue unlike the color of any other known breed.
Size
Dogs range in height from 22 to 24 inches (56 to 61 centimeters), and weigh 55 to 65 pounds (25 to 30 kilograms). As their name would imply, they love water and have evolved slightly webbed feet.