Irish Water Spaniel Weight & Growth Chart

Complete weight guide with growth charts for male and female Irish Water Spaniels from puppy to adult.

Male Adult Weight

45–68 lbs

Female Adult Weight

38–59 lbs

Irish Water Spaniel Weight Overview

Weight range for the Irish Water Spaniel: 45–68 lbs overall. Males: 45–68 lbs. Females: 38–59 lbs.

Males 55-68 lbs, females 45-58 lbs. The tallest of all spaniels at 21-24 inches. Should appear strong and athletic with a distinctive topknot of curls.. Consult the growth chart below for typical weight progression by age.

Growth Chart

When Does a Irish Water Spaniel Stop Growing?

As a medium-sized sporting breed from Ireland, the Irish Water Spaniel reaches full height of 21–24 inches by approximately 12–15 months. Full adult weight of 45–68 lbs follows within a few months as the dog fills out.

Nutrition during the growth phase is critical. Given the breed's predisposition to Hip Dysplasia, proper growth-rate management is especially important.

Is My Irish Water Spaniel Overweight?

To determine if your Irish Water Spaniel is at a healthy weight (45–68 lbs target):

Rib test: You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard, with a thin layer of fat covering them
Waist check: Viewed from above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs
Tuck-up: From the side, the abdomen should tuck up behind the rib cage

Their curly coat can mask weight gain, so hands-on assessment is essential. If your Irish Water Spaniel is overweight, work with your veterinarian to develop a safe weight loss plan. Even a 10% reduction can reduce the risk of Hip Dysplasia and other conditions.

Feeding Recommendation

Plan on 0.7–1.4 cups of premium dry food daily for your adult Irish Water Spaniel, divided into morning and evening meals. Given this sporting breed's predisposition to Hip Dysplasia, discuss dietary approaches that may help manage this risk with your vet. Males 55-68 lbs, females 45-58 lbs. The tallest of all spaniels at 21-24 inches. Should appear strong and athletic with a distinctive topknot of curls..

Weight by Age Table

Age	Male (lbs)	Female (lbs)
3 months	15.4–18.6	13.0–15.9
6 months	33.8–41.0	28.7–34.9
9 months	49.2–59.6	41.7–50.7
12 months	61.5–74.5	52.2–63.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Males: 45–68 lbs. Females: 38–59 lbs. Males 55-68 lbs, females 45-58 lbs. The tallest of all spaniels at 21-24 inches. Should appear strong and athletic with a distinctive topknot of curls.. Consult your vet for a personalized assessment.

Most Irish Water Spaniels reach adult height of 21–24 inches by 12–15 months, with full body weight of 45–68 lbs achieved shortly after. Males 55-68 lbs, females 45-58 lbs. The tallest of all spaniels at 21-24 inches. Should appear strong and athletic with a distinctive topknot of curls..

Three quick checks for your Irish Water Spaniel: (1) Feel the ribs–they should be easily palpable under a thin fat layer. (2) View from above–there should be a visible waist behind the ribs. (3) Side profile–the abdomen should tuck up. Target weight: 45–68 lbs. Their curly coat can make visual assessment harder, so hands-on rib checks are especially important. Consult your vet for a body condition score.

Feeding amounts depend on age, current weight, and the Irish Water Spaniel's expected adult size of 45–68 lbs. Puppies under 6 months need 3–4 meals daily; older puppies eat twice daily. A high-quality puppy food formulated for medium breeds provides the right nutrient balance. Moderate health issues overall with particular attention needed for drug sensitivities. The breed's rarity means some health conditions may be underreported..

Poor weight gain in a Irish Water Spaniel puppy warrants a vet visit. For a breed that should reach 45–68 lbs at maturity, slow growth can signal parasites (very common in puppies), underfeeding, food intolerance, or illness. Given this breed's curly coat, it can be hard to visually assess body condition–weigh your puppy weekly. Your vet will likely run a fecal test and blood work.