Grooming the Irish Water Spaniel

By Tasha Mesina, Cindra Grooming Products

The Irish Water Spaniel is one of the most distinctive sporting breeds, instantly recognized by its dense curls, strong outline, and iconic “rat tail.” This coat is not decorative — it is functional, protective, and highly specialized. Correct grooming preserves curl structure, elasticity, and skin health while maintaining the breed’s correct silhouette.

This expanded grooming guide follows the master Golden Retriever grooming format used across Cindra breed pages, while going deeper into the hands-on techniques, tools, and trimming details unique to the Irish Water Spaniel.

COAT

The Irish Water Spaniel has a dense, curly double coat with a woolly texture. Tight ringlets cover the body, while the face, throat, and tail are more sparsely coated by design. The coat should feel springy and resilient — never fluffy, cottony, or stretched straight.

  • Tight, natural curls with strong water resistance
  • Dense undercoat that traps moisture if not dried properly
  • Minimal free shedding, but shed hair is retained in the coat
  • High matting risk without structured grooming

The goal is a clean, separated coat with clearly defined curls and healthy skin underneath.

CHARACTER

Irish Water Spaniels are intelligent, bold, and independent thinkers. They are active sporting dogs that thrive on engagement and routine.

Because they swim frequently and have a coat that holds moisture, grooming must be consistent and intentional. Regular grooming is not optional for this breed — it is essential for comfort, skin health, and coat preservation.

ESSENTIAL GROOMING TOOLS

Proper grooming starts with the right tools. These can be found at most pet supply stores and are essential for maintaining an Irish Water Spaniel coat correctly:

  • Wide-tooth steel comb
  • Medium steel comb
  • Pin brush
  • Slicker brush
  • Straight trimming shears
  • Thinning shears
  • Mat separator (mat rake)
  • Nail trimmer

STARTING GROOMING AS A PUPPY

Grooming should begin as soon as your Irish Water Spaniel comes home. At this stage, the focus is not on perfection — it is on creating a positive grooming experience.

  • Gentle brushing to remove dead hair and stimulate circulation
  • Regular nail trimming
  • Routine ear cleaning

Use short, frequent grooming sessions lasting only a few minutes. Introduce your puppy to standing on a grooming table or sturdy surface with non-slip footing. Praise, calm handling, and small treats help the puppy associate grooming with comfort and reward.

The most important goal during puppyhood is teaching the dog to enjoy being groomed.

GROOMING THE ADULT IRISH WATER SPANIEL

Adult grooming requires patience, good lighting, and a calm approach. Place your dog on a table, allow them to change position as needed, and speak to them throughout the process. Grooming should never feel rushed or stressful.

Brushing & Dematting

Start by brushing the coat with a pin brush or natural bristle brush to remove surface dirt. Follow with a wide-tooth comb, working through the entire coat.

If you encounter mats:

  • Break them apart gently with your fingers
  • Use a mat separator to loosen dense areas
  • If needed, carefully insert the lower blade of scissors into the mat and split it outward

Avoid cutting mats out whenever possible, as this leaves holes in the coat that are difficult to disguise.

Fluffing the Coat

Once mats are removed, use a slicker brush to gently brush against the fall of the hair, starting at the topknot and working toward the rear. This removes remaining dead hair and prepares the coat for trimming.

TRIMMING & SHAPING

Always hold scissors with the points down to minimize visible scissor marks.

Head & Topknot

  • Trim only enough to keep hair out of the eyes
  • Never cut straight across the forehead
  • Blend the topknot into the neck and ears

Ears & Face

  • Trim short under and behind the ears so they lie closer to the head
  • Lightly neaten the outer ear without removing curl length
  • Trim coarse whiskers and fuzz on the muzzle
  • Do not trim the beard or sideburns

Feet & Nails

Trim feet into a rounded “powder puff” shape. Hair between pads should be trimmed close. Nails should be kept short so they do not touch the floor, supporting proper movement and comfort.

Body & Legs

Trim sunburned or frizzy ends to even the coat. The body should be flat on the sides, rounded over the rear, and balanced overall. Use thinning shears sparingly to blend heavy areas, especially at elbows and shoulders.

Blend chest hair into the legs, tidy the apron, and shape the rear so the dog looks straight and balanced from all angles.

Tail

The Irish Water Spaniel tail should appear mostly bare except for the curls at the base. Remove stray hairs below the curl cluster to maintain the breed’s characteristic “rat tail.”

EAR, TEETH & FINISHING CARE

Clean ears regularly using cotton and a gentle cleaning solution. Long drop ears restrict airflow and require ongoing maintenance.

Dental care matters too. Wipe teeth with gauze or consult your veterinarian for professional cleanings as needed.

After grooming, lightly spray the coat with water or allow the dog to swim so curls reform naturally. Once dry, check for uneven areas and make final adjustments.

BATHING & DRYING

If the coat is maintained properly, frequent bathing is unnecessary. Swimming often cleans the coat naturally.

  • Rinse after salt or muddy water exposure
  • Bathe only when truly dirty or before special events
  • Never bathe immediately before a show

When bathing, use a high-quality dog shampoo, rinse thoroughly, towel dry, and allow the dog to air dry when possible. Curls look best when allowed to form naturally.

IRISH WATER SPANIEL GROOMING CHECKLIST

  • Brush 2–3 times per week
  • Line brush and demat as needed
  • Trim feet, head, and outline regularly
  • Clean ears consistently
  • Dry thoroughly after swimming

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do Irish Water Spaniels shed?

They shed minimally, but shed hair is retained in the curls and must be removed through grooming.

Can you shave an Irish Water Spaniel?

No. Shaving damages curl structure and coat function.

How often should I groom my Irish Water Spaniel?

Most coats need brushing several times per week and trimming every few weeks.

The Cindra Touch

At Cindra, grooming is about honoring coat structure, function, and breed history.

The Irish Water Spaniel coat was designed for water, work, and endurance. Grooming should enhance curl definition, maintain clean skin, and preserve the natural outline — never disguise or alter it.

With patience, practice, and the right products, grooming becomes a shared ritual that strengthens trust and showcases everything that makes this breed exceptional.