The Irish Water Spaniel has ancient roots, and may very well be the largest and oldest of all Spaniel breeds. The modern version of the Irish Water Spaniel originated in Ireland in the 1830's, the founding father of the breed was a dog born in Dublin in 1834 named "Boatswain." While the exact lineage of the Irish Water Spaniel is unknown, it is possible that they share common ancestry with the Poodle, the Portuguese Water Dog and the Barbet.
Irish Water Spaniels became popular in Britain for their ability to retrieve game from frigid waters. The breed was introduced to North America during Boatswain's time, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878. In 1875 it was one of the most popular sporting dogs in Britain and America, but today is much rarer.
