Irish Water Spaniel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Irish Water Spaniel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed ComparisonBelgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium but Irish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) may grow 7 cm / 3 inches higher than Irish Water Spaniel. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Irish Water Spaniel are of same weight. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Irish Water Spaniel has almost same life span. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) and Irish Water Spaniel has almost same litter size. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High Maintenance. But Irish Water Spaniel requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Gun dog
undefined
Belgium
Ireland
Height Male:
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
Height Female:
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
4 - 12
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Colors Available:
Black
Dark Brown, Liver
Coat:
Dense double coat
Longish hair - thick and very curly
Shedding:
Constant, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

belgian shepherd dog groenendaelLooking much like a pitch black German Shepherd dog, the Belgian Shepherd is a beautiful looking dog. Their roots go back to the 1800s to Groenendael, Belgium. This is where they were bred by a certain Nicolas Rose in 1910. The Groenendael is one of four different Belgian Sheepdog varieties but the Groenendael is sometimes treated as a distinct breed.

They have always been used for their intelligence, serving for instance in the police force and being message carriers in war situations. Originally, Belgian Shepherds were used to herd livestock. It was in 1911 that the Groenendael was registered in the United States, and not much later the first Belgian Sheepdog Club of America formed. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1912.

irish water spanielThe 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.

Description

Large, Strong and Well Proportioned

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppy - descriptionWith his alert, bright brown eyes, the Groenendael, referred to often as the Belgian Sheepdog, has erect ears with a long, feathered tail. The straight, strong legs are also feathered. He is well proportioned, athletic and strong. He has a dense double coat, and this working dog’s coat is black, but you sometimes find some small white markings around his paws and muzzle. The size of the Groenendael is roughly 60-66cm at the withers with the females sometimes being slightly smaller. The weight of the dog is roughly 25–30 kilograms.

He’s a Social Dog who Craves Companionship

The Groenendael is an active, intelligent breed and training and socializing will be necessary to ensure he knows how to behave around his human family. He is a big, social dog and won’t do well when left alone day after day in the back yard. In fact he may even show signs of separation anxiety if you leave him indefinitely. He makes for an excellent family dog, just loving their companionship and he becomes very protective of them.

An Intelligent, Alert Breed

He is used to making use of his intelligence and therefore he will need mental stimulation as opposed to lying around all day. He gets on well with adults, children and other pets, but he needs to grow up with children and not be put among children when he is already an adult. He is loyal and loving to his human family, forming a deep bond, especially with just one member of the family.

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.

Characteristics

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dog - characteristicsYour Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent, active, loyal companion for you. He is highly intelligent too, and will need the right owner who can meet his energetic needs. He therefore wouldn’t do well with in a small place where the owners are couch potatoes. He is a working dog and will require being kept busy.

Provide him with good food, look after that thick, lustrous coat of his, provide him with a warm, dry place to sleep and plenty of exercise, love and attention and he will turn out to be the wonderful pet that makes him such a popular breed.

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.

Health Problems

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppies - health problemsThe Belgian Groenendael is a healthy, strong breed with no major health problems and with an average lifespan of 12-14 years.

As with every dog breed, there will be some health issues to be aware of. Skin allergies, epilepsy, eye problems and hip- and joint dysplasia are some areas to look out for

Dental disease for instance, is a common problem with pets, and your Belgian Shepherd can have serious problems with their teeth. Tartar build-up on the teeth ca take you down a trail of infections and gum disease. If you don’t want to make use of a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste, your vet will do it for you.

Your Groenendael will also be susceptible to ticks, fleas and bacterial and viral infections. As a puppy of 6 – 8 weeks, vaccinations for parvo, rabies, and distemper will be necessary. You’ll also need to be generally watching your pet’s health and to get him to the vet when he shows signs of being run-down and ill.

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.

Caring The Pet

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dogs - caringThe Groenendael has a double coat and because it is also fairly long, his black coat may well be high maintenance and brushing every 2nd day will be necessary to keep the coat unmatted and to also get rid of those loose hairs. In fact, heavy shedding is part of this breed’s life and while heavy shedding happens twice a year, light shedding continues throughout the year. Sometimes is may be necessary to send him to a dog grooming parlour to snip his hair and to wash it.

Other care routines to watch for -

A healthy, quality diet it absolutely imperative. Speak to your vet about the best kind of wet- or dry food suited to an energetic breed like this and appropriate to his age. You need to include raw meat into your pets diet every day now and then to avoid skin problems. Always ensure a bowl of clean, cool water is available, The bowl will need to be washed out every other day.

make sure his ears are cleaned. Once again you have to be careful when prodding in a dog’s ear and your veterinarian will show you how.

keep him well exercised with long walks and ball games.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Water Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Irish Water Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Irish Water Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Irish Water Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Irish Water Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Irish Water Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Water Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Water Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Water Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Water Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Water Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Water Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Water Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Water Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Water Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Water Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Water Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Water Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Irish Water Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Irish Water Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Irish Water Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Irish Water Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison