| Documentary evidence for water dogs traces back to
AD 17, and water spaniels have been known in lreland
for more than a millennium. The Irish Water Spaniel
is thought to have developed through crosses with
Poodles and Curly-coated Retrievers. Prior to 1859,
there were two separate strains of the breed, one in
the north and one in the south. The southern strain,
which resembled the Standard Poodle, probably
formed the basis of the modern breed.
The Irish Water Spaniel is a brave, loving, and
intelligent animal. Maintaining its coat of curls is not
such a chore as might be expected. However, it does
need to be groomed at least once a week using a steel
comb. Some stripping of unwanted hair is necessary,
as is trimming around the feet.
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