This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, January 2013 issue.
In 1990, the IWSCA had just a few ways to recognize versatility in Irish Water Spaniels. At the time, the number of different venues that an IWS could title in was limited to conformation, obedience, tracking, and field. Field included AKC Retriever Field Trials and AKC Retriever Hunt Tests, making it only five venues to title the breed in.
The then Board of Directors thought it was important to strive for honoring IWS that could meet the breed conformation standard, demonstrate trainability by achieving an obedience title, and show that the dog possessed the understanding needed to do what it was bred to do: find and retrieve birds.
So, early in the 90s, the IWSCA board approved a parent club award called the “AKC All-Around.” It’s awarded to an IWS earning an AKC title in conformation, obedience, and retriever hunt tests. In the 20 or so years this award has been available, 109 IWS have been so honored.
Since that time, the AKC has introduced agility titles in 1994, and Rally became a titling event in 2004. Just last year, the AKC opened Spaniel Hunt Tests to IWS, and we already have a Master Hunter Upland and numerous JHU and SHU titles. Today, there are a total of 11 venues that an IWS can obtain an AKC title in, with more to come.
Irish Water Spaniels can work in many other venues as well, in addition to the original ones. They are therapy dogs and participate in freestyle events. The AKC offers versatility certificates that recognize dogs with obedience, tracking, and agility titles, and the IWS have achieved those as well. Outside of the AKC, there are several working IWS service dogs, as well as successful flyball, dock-diving, and hunting dogs.
The IWS, as a breed, is able to participate in all these venues for two very notable reasons. First, they are not an extreme breed from a conformation perspective. The standard calls for a moderate and balanced dog of medium size. A proper IWS should be an athlete that can swim strongly, run with speed and grace, and be strong enough to carry large birds while also navigating tough terrain. They should also be a hardy dog that can withstand harsh conditions, including very cold water swims.
Secondly, IWS are wonderful companion-minded dogs. Their temperament enables the IWS to be versatile and capable of excelling in most venues. They love to work with their people, and it shows in their performance. They may not offer ultimate precision, but they always bring enthusiasm and inventiveness to the task at hand. All they ask in return is a fair and sharing owner, preferably one with a sense of humor and very little ego.
Today’s IWS can be found in Best in Show lineups, achieving OTCHs, MACHs, PACHs, and CTs, and competing in the Master National. Many more can be found as companions of owners who often stand grinning as their beloved IWS creates yet another amusing story to share with friends and family.
