Killountain Working Irish Water Spaniels

About us

Irish Water Spaniels; I have had a lifetime interest in Irish Water Spaniels my Father used them for wildfowling on the Ribble estuaries and I have always retained an interest.When I developed an interest in the breed as a working gundog both for the shooting field and for competitive work like most people I set out my goals for breeding. Temperament, health and of course working ability come first and foremost on my list.

As a breed the IWS is a versatile gundog and can have various usues in the shooting field 'though of course as opposed to the Lab and ESS it does have it's drawbacks. IWS are a breed with a strong personality it is also a breed that is slow to mature. The curl and ringlet coat can to some be a problem. Personally I find if the coat is kept resonably short it is relatively easy to manage.

Competitively the IWS is classified as a retriever and if trained well is quite capable of competing with other retriever breeds.My dogs over many years have been successful in both GWT and in Field Trials and have strong working Irish lines behind them My highest award was at Crom Castle in Ireland when my bitch Ann Marie of Lisnabrogue (Katy) (bred by Eddie Lennon) won a 14 dog Open Qualifier for the Irish Retriever Championship.

Other dogs of mine running both in UK and in Ireland had placings in Trials and GWT and my most recent dog Killountain Trader is currently the most widely known, and by awards in numbers was the most successful.Trader not only competed but was also invited to give demonstrations and on one occasion participated at the CLA by invitation of North West Counties F.T. Society as one of their four dog team. The Sporting Irish Water Spaniel Club is an organisation which is devoted to the working IWS and its welfare. Visit their web site.My current dogs are now used in the shooting field for picking up along with my labradors as I no longer participate in competative work.Breed enquires are always welcome please mail or ring.Puppies are sometimes available.Colour picture by permission of Louisa Nally. Artist. (Thank you.).