Water Dogs

Irish Water Spaniel

This section contains three breeds that were originally bred to hunt waterfowl in marshes and boggy terrains. Each breed is not only different in the way they hunted, but they also developed in countries completely isolated from one another. These breeds are the Water Spaniel of Ireland, the Tolling Retriever of Canada, and the Lagotto which first developed in the Romagnolo region of Italy. The Lagotto more recently became specialised to find truffles. We have also included in this section a couple of other breeds of water dogs from Europe.

Irish Water Spaniel

A relic from the past, the Irish Water Spaniel is not your conventional Gundog! Unique with his barrel shaped body giving him a characteristic roll when he trots, his large, spreading, hairy feet, his hairless 'rat tail', and his oily, curly, rich dark liver coat, he is the only remaining British Water Spaniel among today's pure breeds. »» Read more...

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

One of our more recent pure breeds, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is smallest of all Retrievers. He was developed in Nova Scotia, Canada for the special purpose of duck tolling, a trait that makes him a playful companion ideally suitable for modern family life. »» Read more...

Lagotto Romagnolo

An ancient Italian medium-sized water dog, the Lagotto is a very ancient breed. Developed in Italy in one of the earliest cradles of civilization, perhaps he was in the background of many ancient Water Dogs like those described by Gervase Markham in his book 'La Livre de Chasse' (published 1655 AD). By the mid-1800's the Lagotto was used almost exclusively ... »» Read more...

Spanish Water Dog

Here we have the Spanish Water Dog pictured which is a newcomer to Australia. On this page it is compared to the Lagotto which is about the same size and, except for the coat could appear similar. »» Read more...

Murray River Retrievers

The Murray River Retriever is the latest ANKC recognised pure breed. An Australian icon, it is also Australia's only home grown Gundog. The earliest reference has been traced back to early to mid 1800's and they have breed true ever since. A fair dinkum Aussie, its high-set well furnished ears that frame the face, give it its unique expression. »» Read more...

American Water Spaniel

Like the Murray River Retriever of Australia, the American Water Spaniel was also a product of the Irish Water Spaniel which, by 1864 which had become an established pure breed in Britain and their unique external features accepted when they were listed in the First English Stud Book. Consequently, it is interesting to take a look at the American Water ... »» Read more...