Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Water Spaniel - Vintage Picture
1936

Thought by some to be an ancestor of the French Poodle which it somewhat resembles, the Irish Water Spaniel, as its name implies, originated in Ireland. The old type of this dog was curly-coated but lower to the ground; and it is stated that a Pointer was used to improve the breed - a theory which seems to be proved on examination of the face. Although there are many of these dogs in Ireland they are exceedingly rare in England.

1936 DOGS - First SERIES OF 48 No 20 ISSUED BY GALLAHER

The cards illustrated are all scans of the original vintage cards ... they originally came in cigarette packets
each card is of a standard size: approx 1½ x 2¾ inches
the descriptions on the back were often duplicated or reproduced with little variation.

Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Water Spaniel - vintage picture
1929

This fine breed is at least a thousand years old, for the Irish Water Spaniel is mentioned in a code of Welsh Laws of the 10th century. Dr Caius, the well known old writer on dogs, describes how he used the Water Spaniel to bring "boultes and arrowes out of the water." About a hundred years ago the breed was revived and ultimately brought to perfection by Mr. Justin McCarthy, whose dog Boatswain played a great part in the revival of this breed. Dogs are about 21-23 in. at shoulder, bitches 20-22 in.

1929 DOGS HEADS - No 35 in a series of 50, issued by Players

Spaniel Breeds - more different types

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