Irish Water Spaniel grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding
A practical grooming routine for the Irish Water Spaniel: coat care, baths, nails and ears.
This coat rewards a routine. Once or twice a week, work through it with a comb and a slicker brush down to the skin, focusing on the ears, armpits, collar area and between the hind legs. After swimming in salt water or muddy ponds, rinse with fresh water, squeeze out the excess and let the coat dry naturally so the ringlets reform.
Most owners scissor the coat every 6 to 8 weeks to follow the breed's natural outline and keep length manageable, around 2 to 5 cm on the body. Leave the topknot longer and keep the face and the smooth part of the tail short. Clean the ears weekly, since long, hairy flaps plus frequent swimming trap moisture, and check the feet for burrs and grass seeds after every field walk.
Irish Water Spaniel grooming in numbers
This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.
| Task | Planning example |
|---|---|
| Brushing | 4 to 5 times a week |
| Bathing | Every 3 to 6 weeks |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| Nail trim | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ear check | Weekly |
| Teeth | Daily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful |
Coat
Dense, crisp ringlets with a natural oil that repels water, finishing in a smooth-haired 'rat tail'.
Grooming needs
Shedding
Drooling