Schapendoes vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Schapendoes vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed ComparisonIrish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland but Schapendoes is originated from Netherlands. Irish Water Spaniel may grow 9 cm / 4 inches higher than Schapendoes. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Schapendoes are having almost same weight. Irish Water Spaniel may live 3 years less than Schapendoes. Irish Water Spaniel may have more litter size than Schapendoes. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Schapendoes requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Herding dogs
undefined
Ireland
Netherlands
Height Male:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
40 - 50 cm
15 - 20 inches
Height Female:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
40 - 50 cm
15 - 20 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
12 - 25 kg
26 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
12 - 25 kg
26 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 12
2 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Dutch Sheepdog
Colors Available:
Dark Brown, Liver
black, white, grey, Brown, reddish blonde - mix of these colors
Coat:
Longish hair - thick and very curly
Thick double-coat, medium length, wavy
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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.

schapendoesKnown also as the Dutch Sheepdog, the Schapendoes originates in the Netherlands.

It has always been known as a herding dog and farm dog. There were times during the 1940s when the dog’s numbers dropped considerably, but fortunately a breed club known as the Nederlandse Schapendoes was formed in 1947.

It wasn’t until 1971 that the dog earned recognition as a Dutch breed and the Federation Cynologique Internationale recognized this Dutch Sheepdog in 1989.

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.

schapendoes puppy - descriptionThe Schapendoes is a medium sized herding dog standing at between 40 and 50cm in height and weighing between 12 and 25kg.

When you look at him, you’re reminded of the Old English Sheepdog or the Bearded Collie. The thick, double coat of the dog can be a mix of colors and can be brown and white, black and white and gray and a mix of all these colors.

In spite of the thick coat, the dog sheds very little. He is an active dog and is known to be able to jump high. This makes him perfect for ball and frisbee games as he will leap into the air to try and catch the ball.

He has medium length floppy ears and the tail is long and feathered, carried high when busy, but when he is relaxed the tail hangs low.

Temperament:

Brave, cheerful,social and loyal, the Schapendoes is a shaggy Dutch dog who makes a splendid pet and companion for active people.

He is intelligent too, and in fact it is why he makes such a great farm dog too as he is able to work on his own and co-operates with his owner. He just loves being active, and will happily join you on all your hikes, runs on the beach, swimming, walks and other activities.

He thrives on being counted in as one of the active family members. This intelligence of his makes him easy to train and socialize, making him well mannered and obedient.

His amicable nature allows him to get on with all well disciplined children as well as with other pets in the home.

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.

schapendoes dog - characteristicsBecause this dog has always been a working dog, he has learned to be independent.

They’re eager to please their owners and easy to train too. They’re not aggressive and are friendly and affectionate and want to protect their owners.

They’re cheerful and playful and are tolerant of children and pets in the home. However, they don’t want little children being allowed to climb over them.

You can expect these big cuddly dogs to make loyal, devoted pets when treated with love, care, kindness and respect.

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.

schapendoes puppies - health problemsYour Schapendoes is a generally healthy breed and with good food, a good amount of exercise and plenty of love and care, he can reach the ripe age of 15 or so.

Every dog however, has the potential to get one of the many canine diseases there are. Some of these canine diseases to look out for include hip dysplasia, dental problems, eye diseases, bloat, cancer and others.

Dental Disease:

Some people think that problems with teeth are mild – nothing to worry about and yet bad teeth can affect the quality of life for your pet.

Problems with the pet’s teeth usually start with a build- up of plaque that leads to tartar. This can lead to gingivitis and then periodontal disease can develop. Dogs can have bad teeth and this can affect organs in the body.

Problems with the teeth can be serious and your veterinarian will need to do an oral checkup and dental cleaning. If your dog has oral problems, you may notice bad breath, loose teeth, dribbling, tartar on the teeth and pawing at the mouth.

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:

schapendoes dogs - caringThe Schapendoes has a dense double coat which can become quite long in places. The hair is slightly waved and there is quite a lot of hair around the face which includes a mustache and beard.

He will need to have his hair brushed twice a week, and some people choose to have him professionally clipped.

Trim his nails, check inside the ears for ear infection, check that the eyes are nice and clear without discharge, check inside the mouth for rotten teeth and check him over for any unusual lumps.

Diet:

Your Schapendoes is an active dog and you want to ensure that the food you buy him keeps him active and healthy.

It is important to choose the best dog food if you buy commercially manufactured dog food. Then you can be sure it will have the right formulation of vitamins and minerals.

Home-made food is also an excellent choice for your pet. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots can be very healthy and tasty. Keep it simple like this. Chop it all up and add it into the dry kibble a couple of times a week to give him a nutritious treat.

Some raw meat added in occasionally will do him the world of good and keep the skin and coat healthy. Never leave your pet without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

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