The Irish Water Spaniel is extremely attractive in appearance, with a compact and sturdy body structure. It is a sporting breed, and one of the most robust among the hunting breeds. It is intelligent, brave, enthusiastic, obedient, and highly alert, excelling in hunting waterfowl. The topknot of fluffy and loose curls on its head, as well as its dense and distinct liver-colored curls, are its typical features. In addition, its small "rat" tail contrasts strongly with its massive body size, leaving a lasting impression.
The Irish Water Spaniel originated in Ireland in the 19th century and was primarily bred by a man named Justin McCarthy, although he did not disclose the exact breeds he used. It is speculated that the breed was developed from a combination of Poodles, Irish Setters, and possibly Portuguese Water Dogs or other curly-haired breeds.
In 1862, the Irish Water Spaniel made its first appearance in Birmingham.
In 1890, the first Irish Water Spaniel club was formed.
Because the Irish Water Spaniel has long and loose curly hair, it requires a lot of time to groom every day, which is not suitable for busy working people. In addition, it needs a spacious area and extensive training, so it is not suitable for living in city apartments.
1. Canine Infectious Diseases
Common infectious diseases in dogs include canine distemper, canine coronavirus, etc. Common clinical symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, sleepiness, difficulty breathing, bloody stools, purulent eye discharge, dry nose, cracked paws, etc.
Generally, this type of infectious and fatal disease is more common in dogs during the weaning period or around 1 year old. Puppies are more susceptible, have a lower cure rate, and are more likely to have sequelae.
How to prevent:
When bringing a dog home, it is recommended for the owner to choose a formal channel to select a dog, give the dog vaccines on time, and regularly disinfect the house. Don't take the dog out for a walk before the vaccination is completed, avoid contact with unfamiliar dogs, and don't let others touch the dog's mouth or nose at will.
2. Canine Skin Diseases
Because dogs often go for walks outside, they may accidentally contract various skin diseases. If the dog is infected with mites, bacteria, or fungi, there is a risk of long-term difficult healing. Therefore, pet owners must pay attention. Clinical symptoms of dog skin diseases include greasy skin, peeling, redness, itching, papules, ulcers, pus discharge, hair loss, scabs, etc.
How to prevent:
In daily care, it is necessary to keep the dog's living environment clean and tidy, avoid darkness and moisture. In addition, it is necessary to regularly disinfect the dog's living environment, conduct internal and external deworming for the dog, use dog-specific shampoo, comb the hair regularly, and supplement vitamins and fish oil.
3. Canine Parasites
Common parasites in dogs include roundworms, heartworms, ticks, fleas, etc., which often can cause skin diseases and intestinal diseases in dogs. It may cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, affecting the quality of their lives and physical development. In general, dogs with parasites are often weak and lethargic.
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How to prevent:
When feeding, the owner needs to pay attention and try not to feed the dog non-sterilized raw meat or unknown sources of meat. The dog's internal deworming should be done once every 3 months, external deworming once a month. When going out, prevent the dog from eating or licking randomly, going into the grass, and carefully check the dog after returning home.
1. The Irish Water Spaniel has a lot of curly hair and needs to be groomed regularly to ensure the cleanliness and shine of its coat. In addition to grooming, regular bathing is also necessary. In winter, when the temperature is too low, bathing should not be too frequent. After bathing, it should be dried immediately with a hair dryer to prevent catching a cold.
2. It is best to train dogs when they are puppies. It is difficult to change some habits after they become adults. During the puppy stage, they should be trained to relieve themselves in designated areas.
3. The Irish Water Spaniel likes to bark, which can be quite troublesome. It is best to train them not to bark loudly when they are young, so as not to disturb the daily routines of family members and neighbors.
1. Can't bathe frequently
When bathing the dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing the dog depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, you can wash the dog one or two more times, and in winter, you can reduce it by one or two times. But overall, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Be diligent in brushing
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn, when seasonal shedding is more severe. If you want the fur to grow well, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use special pet brushes to help the dog clean naturally shed hair and avoid tangling. Brushing once in the morning and evening for about five minutes is enough.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of the dog's fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. At the same time, the owner can let the dog exercise, which can improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Bad fur quality is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving them of nutrition, so deworming is essential. It is recommended to deworm both internally and externally. Deworming drugs can cause significant harm to the dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is advisable to feed probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have beautiful fur, it is necessary to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a suitable and nutritious dog food that meets the dog's needs. On the other hand, feed the dog a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil.
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