The Irish Water Spaniel has been bred to be a companion hunting dog. They are talented retrievers and good family dogs. Sometimes called "the clown of the spaniel family," they have a definite sense of humor and take pride in amusing people. They are intelligent, inquisitive, and creative. They are born with a desire to please, but they must respect their owner before they will obey him. This breed is slow to mature and can be a bit headstrong. The Irish Water Spaniel really needs a fair, firm, patient, and consistent trainer. With this type of owner, they are very easy to train and discipline. They have active bodies and active minds, and both need to be stimulated. An Irish Water Spaniel can be destructive if he gets bored. This active breed is athletic, agile, and fast. They love to spend time outdoors having a good run around. Families who don't hunt with their Irish (and even some who do) compete with their dogs in obedience, rally, and agility. He needs regular exercise and has incredible stamina. He will protect his owners if necessary, but the Irish Water Spaniel has been bred not to bark excessively. They can be reserved with strangers. They are not a "one person dog" but are devoted and loyal to the entire family. They can coexist with small children if they are socialized around them from a young age. They love to be a part of the family, as they truly love human company. They drool and slobber quite a bit!http://www.justdogbreeds.com
