When it comes to Irish Water Spaniel grooming and coat care in particular, this is not a job for newbies. These dogs have specialized coats that are water- and oil-resistant, are formed of tight ringlets of rough hair, and have two layers to help keep out the cold, the debris, and the water. You'll need to learn how to properly groom these dogs by watching a professional, or simply by letting a pro do it. Either way, it's neither easy nor cheap to make sure that this breed's coat is kept healthy, nice, and intact. This breed is highly prone to hot spots, skin infections, and other such problem.
These dogs shed extremely little. They have coats not unlike Poodles, and so they must be trimmed frequently. They have no seasonal coat blowouts, but they are hypoallergenic. As the coat covers the paws and is in and around the pads, and the paws are webbed, this means even more work that must be gently performed — especially after a swim, a mud run, or a long hunt.
Another part of the body that is unusual is the topknot on the head. Looking less like a tied knot and more like an explosion of stringed curls, this part of the coat must be groomed carefully and constantly. The hair hangs just over the eyes and can be problematic if neglected.
Under the chin must also be done, and likewise are the ears. You'll have a lot of work to keep both areas from getting tangles or allowing infections. It's easy to overlook them until a problem sets in, and you don't want that to happen.
Finally, there is the easiest and hardest aspect: the tail. One look and you'll see why it basically needs no real work — until you get to the base. The hard, tight curls, which can catch a lot of debris, must be kept trimmed, cleaned, and monitored.
