Irish Water Spaniel Grooming Guide

The IWS Coat

What kind of coat does an Irish Water Spaniel have?

Last updated October 8, 2026

The Irish Water Spaniel has one of the most distinctive coats in the sporting group: a dense mass of tight, crisp ringlets covering the body and head (the characteristic topknot), with a smooth, naturally hairless face and the breed's signature rat tail — a smooth, tapered tail that rounds out the IWS's unmistakable silhouette.

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The coat is low-shedding — like most curly coats, shed hair remains in the coat rather than falling out. This means the coat must be brushed regularly to prevent mat formation, and trimmed professionally every 8–10 weeks to keep the ringlets at a manageable length. Over-bathing strips the oils that give the coat its water-resistant properties — the IWS coat is functional, not ornamental.

Grooming Tools You'll Need

• Wide-tooth metal comb — primary tool for working through ringlets
• Slicker brush — for surface brushing and finishing
  One option: Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush on Amazon. The Big G has long, angled pins set in a flexible cushioned pad, built for working through double, long and curly coats. Use light strokes; slicker pins can scratch skin if pressed hard.
• Dematting comb or spray detangler — for working through any tangles in dense areas
  One option: Coastal Safari De-Matting Comb on Amazon. A serrated stainless de-matting comb that cuts through a mat in strips so it can be brushed out instead of shaved. Blades face away from the skin; hold the mat at the base and work from the tips in. Tight mats on the skin are a groomer job.
• Ear cleaning solution and cotton balls
• Dog-safe shampoo formulated for curly or water-repellent coats
• Nail clippers or grinder
  One option: gonicc Nail Clippers (Medium & Large Dogs) on Amazon. Scissor-style clippers for medium and large dogs, with a safety stop that limits how much nail passes the blade and a small file hidden in the handle. Trim a little at a time; the safety stop doesn't show you where the quick is.

Regular Routine

How often should you groom an Irish Water Spaniel?

Weekly Home Maintenance

• Work through the entire coat with a wide-tooth metal comb, section by section — this is the primary mat-prevention tool for curly coats
• Pay extra attention to behind the ears, under the armpits, and in the leg area where mats form most readily in dense, curly coats
• Clean both ears thoroughly — the IWS's pendulous ears over a dense coat make ear infections a serious risk without consistent cleaning
• Check paw pads and between the toes — curly coat debris collection between the toes is common
• Wipe the smooth face area around the eyes as needed
  One option: Earth Rated Dog Eye Wipes, Unscented (70 ct) on Amazon. Unscented, vet-developed wipes for cleaning dirt and discharge from the fur around the eyes. For cleaning only; persistent staining, redness or discharge is a question for your vet.

Professional Trimming (Every 8–10 Weeks)

Professional trimming keeps the ringlets at a functional, manageable length. The typical IWS trim maintains the coat's characteristic appearance — the topknot, the curly body coat at moderate length, the feathered legs — while preventing the coat from growing into an unmanageable mass that mats and collects debris. The rat tail requires no trimming — it is naturally smooth.

Find a groomer experienced with curly-coated sporting dogs — Portuguese Water Dogs, Lagottos, and Poodles are comparable coat types. The IWS coat requires specific handling technique to maintain the natural ringlet structure.

Bathing

Bathe every 6–8 weeks or when genuinely necessary. Over-bathing strips the coat's natural oils and degrades its water-resistant properties. Use a shampoo formulated for curly or water-repellent coats. Rinse thoroughly. Allow the coat to air dry naturally when possible — the ringlet structure restores itself as it dries. After water work, rinse with fresh water to remove contaminants.

Ear Care and Rat Tail

Ear Cleaning and Rat Tail Maintenance

The Irish Water Spaniel's pendulous ears combined with regular water exposure make ear infections a common problem without preventive cleaning. Clean the ears thoroughly after every swimming session and as part of the weekly grooming routine. Apply veterinary ear cleaning solution, massage the base, let the dog shake, then wipe visible debris with cotton balls. Trim hair at the ear canal opening at every professional grooming session to maintain airflow.

The Rat Tail

The IWS's characteristic rat tail — thick at the base, tapering to a fine point, naturally covered in short smooth hair — requires no trimming. Keep the tail clean; debris can accumulate at the base where the smooth tail meets the curly body coat. Wipe the base of the tail during weekly maintenance and check the smooth skin of the tail for any irritation. Do not attempt to make the tail look curlier or clip it — it is a naturally smooth breed characteristic.

Drug Sensitivity Awareness

Irish Water Spaniels have documented sensitivity to certain medications, including sulfasalazine and some other drugs. This is important to flag with any veterinarian or emergency veterinarian. Carry a note of this breed-specific sensitivity and ensure it is noted in the veterinary record. When any new medication is prescribed, ask the vet to cross-reference it against known IWS sensitivities before dispensing.