Irish Water Spaniel vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Irish Water Spaniel vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed ComparisonIrish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland but Dutch Shepherd is originated from Netherlands. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Dutch Shepherd are having almost same height. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Dutch Shepherd are having almost same weight. Irish Water Spaniel may live 3 years less than Dutch Shepherd. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Dutch Shepherd has almost same litter size. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Dutch Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance.

History

irish water spaniel - historyThe Irish Water Spaniel is one of the larger spaniel types and also one of the oldest.

He is sometimes referred to as the Southern Irish Water Spaniel. Hailing from Ireland, the precise origins of the dog aren't altogether sure. It is believed that the dog came from other dogs from Persia and there are references to these water dogs from as early as 1600.

The modern breed was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. The breed's purpose is that of a hunter of waterfowl and he swims strongly.

The Irish Water Spaniel was recognized by the AKC in 1884. In 1890 the Irish Water Spaniel Club was formed.

dutch shepherd - historyThe Dutch Shepherd is of Dutch origin, hailing from the Netherlands. They were originally used as herding dogs on the farms, where they became a jack-of-all-trades type of dog.

The Dutch Shepherd in those days, 100 odd years ago, were also known as Hollandse Herders.

These dogs are more rare in modern days, but when you do find them, they are being used as police or security dogs, as guides for the blind, or simply as family friends.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Ireland
Netherlands
Height Male:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
Height Female:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 12
6 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Hollandse Herder
Colors Available:
Dark Brown, Liver
brindle, red, Gold or silver
Coat:
Longish hair - thick and very curly
Short and dense but also long or wiry
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

irish water spaniel puppy - descriptionA peculiar feature of this dog is its hairless tail which is partly covered in curls which the rest is all but hairless, giving him the nickname of Rat Tail or Whip Tail.

Looking much like a Poodle with his tight oily curls, the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium to large sized purebred dog, a robust, compact built dog with a skull which is shaped like a dome.

The muzzle is longish, the eyes dark brown and intelligent looking and the ears are long and floppy.

His hair is thick and curly and it sheds very little so that the dog is regarded as being hypoallergenic. The medium length coat is a dark brown, liver color with fairly tight curls that may even tend to cover the eyes.

It is interesting to note that he has webbed feet, which is useful for when the dog swims.He stands at roughly 51cm to 61cm and weighs between 25 to 30kg.

Temperament:

Temperament in any dog is affected by socialization and the way the human owner raises the dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is a water loving dog, being active and energetic.

He is an intelligent dog and easy to train and socialize. When trained he becomes such an obedient dog. He has also got a light-hearted side to him and is actually known to be quite amusing and clownish, providing plenty of laughs for you.

They make good family dogs, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. They're also able to make good guard dogs, taking the protective roles seriously. He isn't an aggressive dog but he has a warning bark that can be a good warning to intruders.

dutch shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Dutch Shepherd dog is very similar in appearance to the popular German Shepherds, being a medium to large sized dog.

The males are slightly heavier than females, but both males and females can stand between 55 and 62cm and weigh between 20 and 32kg.

There are actually 3 varieties found in the Dutch Shepherd dogs - short-haired, long-haired, and wiry or rough-haired. The dog has a double coat, consisting of a woolly undercoat and a top coat. The basic color of the coat is gold or silver through to red, giving rise to the brindle variations. Too much black or white seen in the fur is considered a fault.

In 1914 it was decided that brindle coats would distinguish them from the others.

The eyes of the Dutch Shepherd are dark, almond shaped and slightly slanting, while the medium sized ears are erect and high on the head and the thick tail is slightly curved. The dog has an unusually long tongue which is often found hanging out.

Temperament:

Early training and socializing for this dog is important so that he can learn to stay calm around new people, or visitors to the property.

The beautiful Dutch Shepherd doesn’t like being left alone for too long, loving rather to be involved with all that the family is involved in. They get on well with other pets in the home as well as being child-friendly.

They are happy dogs, who can also be smart and cunning, therefore highly trainable. They soak up new commands easily. Dutch Shepherds are also good watchdogs as they are fiercely loyal, and do not take kindly to strangers.

Characteristics

irish water spaniel dog - characteristicsYour active Irish Water Spaniel just loves water so you can count him in whenever you go swimming. That is one characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel – he just loves to be involved in all the action you're busy with.

He makes an ideal family pet for an active family, and he will be a loyal and devoted pet who will provide a lot of fun to your family with his mischievous side.

He is confident, independent and strong willed so first time dog owners should bear this in mind. He is essentially just a fun loving, busy dog and if you make sure to exercise him well and make sure he is a participating member of your family, he'll be your most loving and devoted friend.

dutch shepherd dog - characteristicsYour alert, intelligent and somewhat rare Dutch Shepherd is a loyal, protective dog, and while he can be aggressive around intruders and be a great guard dog, he can also be a gentle, loving animal around his human family members.

Though his tongue is long and often hangs out, you won’t have to contend with drooling. He is a wonderfully active dog and doesn’t easily gain weight. He isn’t a barker or howler, and his exceptional intelligence makes him highly trainable.

Whether there are children or other animals in the house, you can rely on your Dutch Shepherd to get on well with them, making him a wonderful family pet and canine friend.

Health Problems

irish water spaniel puppies - health problemsA generally healthy breed, the Irish Water Spaniel, just like with most other dogs, can fall prey to some of the more common dog ailments of which hip dysplasia is one.

Bone and joint problems like this can lead to lameness even in young dogs.

Eye diseases are also a problem, and cataracts can form in the eye, particularly when the dog is older and create a cloudy look to the eye. It's not painful for the dog.

Hypothyroidism, a treatable hormonal disorder is another disease worth being aware of.

dutch shepherd puppies - health problemsThe Dutch Shepherd dogs are the healthiest of the Shepherd breeds. They have relatively few health problems.

However, like the German Shepherds they may develop hip dysplasia, but this is in fact fairly rare. Get your pet to the vet if you suspect this in your dog because it can lead to lameness.

In 2018 the University of Minnesota identified a disease in Dutch Shepherds called Miositis. This is an inflammatory myopathy causing painful inflammation of the skeletal muscle tissue.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish water spaniel dogs - caringYour Irish Water Spaniel requires quite a bit of grooming that will involve his coat, his nails, his teeth and his ears. The double coat doesn't shed much so it can be easily maintained by brushing the coat twice a week.

It can help your water spaniel to look good by sending him in to a doggy grooming parlor to have his curls neatened. This is a dog that loves water and swimming, and you will need to check the inside of his ears for dampness, wax build-up and debris. This can all combine to cause nasty ear infections.

Exercise:

The dog is energetic and will need to be exercised. Take him for walks, play ball games with him and allow him to go on hikes with you or to go swimming. He loves being involved in all your activities as he is a social, active dog.

Diet:

Highly energetic, it will be important to feed your Irish Water Spaniel with food that enhances his energy levels. There are some good quality commercially manufactured dog foods on the market. Choose one that caters for active, athletic dogs such as the Irish Water Spaniel.

Dry kibble is more recommended to prevent canine tooth decay. Mix in some home cooked foods from time to time such as cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables and try to include some raw meat every now and then as well. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

dutch shepherd dogs - caringUnfortunately Dutch Shepherds shed quite a bit of hair during their shedding period in spring and autumn. This makes regular brushing important during these seasons so as to remove the dead hairs, especially from the undercoat.

The wire- or rough-haired variety shouldn’t be brushed but should rather be groomed by a professional groomer every 6 months or so.

Their nails need to be trimmed when necessary, to avoid cracking, splitting, or an injury.

Their ears can be cleaned weekly to get rid of any debris or wax build-up. This, if left, can lead to infection. Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid dental disease which brings on a host of illnesses.

Exercise:

These dogs do need regular exercising, and at the same time need to be physically and mentally stimulated. He is the kind of dog that has been used for herding purpose on the farm and he just craves activity. Take him with you on your walks and include him in ball games, hikes, jogging, swimming or when you go cycling – he is game for all kinds of activities.

Diet:

The formula for their diet would be that of a medium to large dog with high energy levels. The top commercially manufactured foods have been developed to include all the important vitamins and minerals. Fish oil can also be added to their food to keep the coat shiny.

Add in cooked rice, cooked vegetables and chicken from time to time and be sure to add in some raw meat occasionally to prevent problems with the skin. Always ensure that your pet has fresh, cool water to drink.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  2. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  4. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Dutch Shepherd vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  6. Dutch Shepherd vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  7. Dutch Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  9. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  10. Dutch Shepherd vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  11. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  12. Dutch Shepherd vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  13. Dutch Shepherd vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  14. Dutch Shepherd vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  15. Dutch Shepherd vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Dutch Shepherd vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Dutch Shepherd vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  18. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  19. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  20. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  21. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  22. Dutch Shepherd vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  23. Dutch Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  24. English Shepherd vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  26. Pudelpointer vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  27. Picardy Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  29. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  30. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  31. Irish Water Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  32. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Setter - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Water Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Water Spaniel vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Water Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Water Spaniel vs Ariege Pointer - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Water Spaniel vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Water Spaniel vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Water Spaniel vs Deutsch Drahthaar - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Water Spaniel vs Clumber Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Water Spaniel vs Cesky Fousek - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Water Spaniel vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison
  46. Stabyhoun vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. Vizsla vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  49. Large Munsterlander vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  50. Tyrolean Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds