Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Curly coat, medium.
A Irish Water Spaniel suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 5 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
Think twice if
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 4 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 4 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 1 of 5 and a watchdog score of 3, expect a fairly quiet dog. Grooming at 3 of 5 means weekly brushing.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 174.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Spanish Water DogKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Irish Water Spaniel vs Lagotto Romagnolo · Irish Water Spaniel vs Spanish Water Dog · Irish Water Spaniel vs Glen of Imaal Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Irish Water Spaniels good with kids?
The AKC rates the Irish Water Spaniel 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 3 out of 5.
Are Irish Water Spaniels easy to train?
Trainability is rated 5 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 4 out of 5.
How much energy does a Irish Water Spaniel have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 5 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Irish Water Spaniel page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.