Irish Water Spaniel

Brushing Routine

Brush 2-3 times weekly with a wide-toothed comb and long-pin slicker brush to work through the dense, tightly curled, waterproof coat. Always mist the coat with water or detangling spray before combing -- dry brushing breaks the curls. The face and tail (rat tail) are naturally smooth and need only wiping. Focus on the body, legs, and topknot.

Bathing Tips

Bathe every 2-3 weeks with a moisturizing, curl-enhancing shampoo followed by conditioner. The dense, curly coat takes a long time to saturate and an equally long time to dry. Squeeze water out with towels, then diffuse-dry or air-dry. The coat should form tight, defined ringlets when properly maintained.

Common Issues

• Dense coat matting deeply if not combed regularly, especially behind ears and in armpits
• Ear infections from the curly ear flaps trapping moisture
• Slow drying time leading to trapped moisture and potential skin infections
• Coat losing curl definition from improper brushing technique
• Topknot tangles obscuring vision

Extend Your Grooming Results

Ensure the coat dries completely after every bath and swim -- trapped moisture in the dense curls causes skin infections and mildew. Trim the topknot to keep eyes clear. Keep the rat tail clean and free of debris. Apply a leave-in conditioner to maintain curl definition. Clip the body coat every 6-8 weeks to a manageable length.

Seasonal Care

Irish Water Spaniels do not shed seasonally, as their coat grows continuously. In Houston's humid summers, the dense curly coat retains heat -- keep it clipped to 1-2 inches for comfort. The waterproof coat handles rain and swimming well but must be dried thoroughly afterward. In winter, the coat provides excellent insulation at full length.

Maintenance Schedule

Comb 2-3 times weekly, topknot management daily, ear cleaning after water exposure plus weekly, full body clip every 6-8 weeks, bath every 2-3 weeks, nail trims every 3 weeks, professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.