Irish Water Spaniel - update

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Bestdogdash

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Some of you may remember that last July, I posted looking to find an Irish WS. I carried on looking, ideally looking to rescue, carried on searching, no real joy. It is surprising difficult to rescue/re home a dog. I must have contacted 5 different breed rescues and was, as often as not, met with at best indifference and worst rudeness e.g, messages, emails not answered and - yes you, Dorset Dog Rescue - then when, contact eventually made, an abrupt text message saying dog I called about not available (it is still on their web site by the way). No chance to talk through what we could offer another of their dogs and no possibility of any conversation. Sorry, went off on a mini rant thee for a moment!

Anyway, because of my post, we were contacted by a very nice lady, who needed to re home an IWS through no fault of his own, and this morning Rowlf arrived from Ireland. He 4, settled quite quickly, and fully installed in front of the aga.

So, whilst this forum is inexplicable most of the time, funny sometimes and really useful now and again, I thank it from the bottom of my heart for the latest edition to the family.
 
Im so pleased you managed to find an IWS, they really are fabulous dogs. Ive had 2, 1 was a rescue and the 2nd we had for 11 years from a pup, both were brilliant, loyal and lovable dogs. I do think some pictures are needed though :)
 
Thats great news and yes we need photos, love the name Rowlf lol.

Re Dorset dog rescue, something came up on fb about this and people were not complementary about them, I know a lot of these rescues are run by volunteers but they really need to read up on their people skills.
 
Setting aside your comments, regarding some of the rescue bodies, and no matter how well justified they may claim to be, there seems to be a plethora of people setting up such centres, and appointing themselves as instant authorities, when some of their utterances are barking! That's 'some', not all.

Back to your acquisition, and from my position of no experience of the breed, I do think that they're the most handsome of animals, though the word is that they can be a trifle stubborn! By all accounts, the females of the species tend to be a little more amenable than the males! I often say to myself "One-day", but that day seems to still be some way off!

It's my understanding of the breed, that though they are technically spaniels, in reality they're used more as retrievers. Would I be right?

As others, some pics would be excellent. Some information on her past and her breeding would be of interest too; does anyone in their homeland work them, for instance?

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
Setting aside your comments, regarding some of the rescue bodies, and no matter how well justified they may claim to be, there seems to be a plethora of people setting up such centres, and appointing themselves as instant authorities, when some of their utterances are barking! That's 'some', not all.

Back to your acquisition, and from my position of no experience of the breed, I do think that they're the most handsome of animals, though the word is that they can be a trifle stubborn! By all accounts, the females of the species tend to be a little more amenable than the males! I often say to myself "One-day", but that day seems to still be some way off!

It's my understanding of the breed, that though they are technically spaniels, in reality they're used more as retrievers. Would I be right?

As others, some pics would be excellent. Some information on her past and her breeding would be of interest too; does anyone in their homeland work them, for instance?

Alec.
Click to expand...
Hi Alec

They really are retrievers, bred for water retrieval, specifically ducks I think. Rowlf has the most enormous paws, which are actually webbed, and is very powerful around the neck/chest/shoulder area. He is the same height as my English Pointer, but much bigger in every respect. Not at all fat, just powerful and solid. I understand that they are actually believed to have poodle in their breeding many many moons ago, and you can see that in them. They are working dogs, but sadly quite rare these days, not sure why, but I suspect that it is because they are so 'specialist' and a lab or SS would retrieve from water as well as doing all the other stuff. Same as my pointer really, although she thinks that she is bred specifically to chase rabbit and squirrel!

Rowlf is actually really well bred. The people that had him showed him as a youngster and he won his section at crufts as a juvenile, but have to say that doesn't do much for me. One question I would be interested in views on is if I should keep him entire ? I have no real interest in breeding, too many dogs already, but they are quite a rare breed so ... Don't know

The original IWS was called Boatswain, which probably says it all.

Working on the photos... Any tips ? I keep failing to upload for some reason.

More anon
 
I cant remember who it was on here, but someones Mum breeds them I think, she might be able to advise on the entire or not debate if you can find out his breeding. Equally I am in touch with my old boys breeder so again could ask for you as to the viability of keeping him entire for the good of the breed. I always found that as pet dogs they are fab, a bit akin to a goldie, big, soppy and happy to sit on your lap! Murphy was exceptionally well behaved as well although they do have a reputation for being strong willed which is why they are not such a popular choice now as a working dog, technically they are HPR so should do it all. Now crack on with your techy skills and get those pics uploaded :)
 
Unfortunately the only IWS I ever knew well had the most vile temperament, I personally would castrate him immediately as there is no need to keep him entire. The breed are doing quite OK without needing random breeding :) :)
 
I can't see the photo but I imagine he's very handsome!
If he was mine I'd keep him entire if I didn't own any entire bitches as far as I've read in the vet lit there's no real health advantages to castrating (dogs with testicle cancer normally have cancer elsewhere that has just metastasized to the teste) if you don't want him to breed just don't let him roam free - not that I imagine you intend to.
 
Amicus said:
.......
If he was mine I'd keep him entire if I didn't own any entire bitches as far as I've read in the vet lit there's no real health advantages to castrating (dogs with testicle cancer normally have cancer elsewhere that has just metastasized to the teste) if you don't want him to breed just don't let him roam free - not that I imagine you intend to.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. The health benefits should be a very dubious route to persuade anyone to castrate, just as are the correction of behavioural issues. As for the claim of unwanted pregnancies, that's laughable; any dog owner who allows their dog free access to receptive bitches shouldn't be a dog owner. I don't know of anyone with entire bitches who walk them in a public place whilst they are in season. Those that do run the risk of a vet's bill, or an unwanted litter of puppies.

Last Saturday I was shooting in the company of a highly respected canine vet and I asked his opinion. He pointed out that certainly in Norway, and possibly in Sweden and Germany, elective castration is illegal and is viewed as mutilation.

That dogs which have their masculinity taken from them may be the intention of those who are insistent, but in the process, as with horses, not only is the disposition altered, and the animal turned in to a eunuch, but so is the appearance.

In your shoes, and considering the age of the dog, I would leave him entire.

Alec.
 
I am so pleased to read this - I have always hankered after one but for the moment I've decided to stick with a breed I already know before I expand out! I think the problem with a lot of rescues are that they are run by a lot of volunteers who are devout to animals and are just not really people person - it is such a shame for the animals. Can't wait to see photos.
 
Hi
Am trying again to upload photos of Rowlf....

http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/Bestdogdash/library/
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/Bestdogdash/embed/slideshow/"></iframe>
http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/Bestdogdash/slideshow/

Do any of these work ? Hope so ! If not I give up ! He has really settled well and is a super boy - seriously could not have asked for a nicer dog. I think he is very handsome too but thats just a bonus !The reason I was pondering castration is that I do have an entire bitch, who I adore beyond all logic or reason, and can foresee a few issues when she is on heat - but in retrospect, it is probably a bit mean to give him the chop at his age, so we will mange somehow I guess.

The photo of him 'curly' was taken before he arrived. His last owner clipped him just before he left.
 
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Wow, he is just gorgeous, an absolutely stunning dog. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to rehome him (dont know the circumstances) but what a result for you that he came along. I hardly dare to show my OH those pics, he is desperate to get his hands on another IWS but I thought we should go smaller as we are getting older.
 
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