irish water spaniel
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A breed of dog: The Irish Water Spaniel is a specific breed of large gun dog, originally developed in Ireland. It is characterized by a distinctive, dense coat of tight, liver-colored (rich brown) curls, a topknot of long curls on the head, and a tail that is nearly hairless ("rat tail").
Usage Notes
- The term "Irish Water Spaniel" is a proper noun referring to a specific, recognized breed. It is always capitalized.
- It is used as a countable noun (e.g., an Irish Water Spaniel, two Irish Water Spaniels).
- This term refers specifically to the breed standard as defined by kennel clubs. It is not a general term for any spaniel from Ireland or any spaniel that likes water.
Examples
- The Irish Water Spaniel is known for its excellent swimming ability and intelligence.
- We are considering getting an Irish Water Spaniel as a family pet.
- Her Irish Water Spaniel won first place in the sporting group at the dog show.
- The distinctive "rat tail" of the Irish Water Spaniel helps identify the breed.
Advanced Usage
- The breed is often referred to by its initials IWS in informal contexts among dog enthusiasts and breeders.
- It can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to the breed (e.g., , ).
Variants and Related Words
- Spaniel (n): A broader category of gun dogs known for their flushing and retrieving abilities, especially in hunting game birds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a member of this group.
- Water dog (n): A general term for breeds of dogs historically bred to retrieve waterfowl. The Irish Water Spaniel is a classic example of a water dog.
Synonyms
- IWS (initialism)
- Rat Tail Spaniel (an informal, descriptive name based on its tail)
Related Phrases
- Topknot: The tuft of long, loose curls on top of the dog's head, which is a key breed characteristic.
- Liver-colored: The specific shade of brown (resembling the color of liver) that is the only acceptable color for the breed's coat.
- Sporting group: The category in which the Irish Water Spaniel is placed in kennel club dog shows, which includes other breeds used for finding, flushing, and retrieving game.
Noun
- breed of large spaniels developed in Ireland having a heavy coat of liver-colored curls and a topknot of long curls and a nearly hairless tail