When we featured the Irish Water Spaniel as a Purebred of Interest back in December of 2013, few of us were able to resist the breed’s charms: Alert, fun loving, and comical to the point of being the canine comedian, the ancient Irish Water Spaniel is still a serious hunting water dog. They have a roll in their gait best described by Edward M. Gilbert and Patricia H. Gibert in their must-have book, “The Encyclopedia of Canine Terminology:” As the IWS maneuvers in the peat bogs of Ireland in search of wounded game, its conformation causes a distinctive roll in its movement. With every step, the movement of the legs causes an exaggerated motion of the skin and coat over the well sprung ribs. Out of the water, the expanded rib cage and somewhat elevated rear construction creates a rolling action of skin and coat.”
After reading about this breed, it makes perfect sense to us that this gait is described as a “drunken sailor roll,” a weaving and wheeling peripatetic motion that reminds one of a seaman on leave.
“Trin 3” by Kathy Liebrum Bailey is available in print form here
The reference to moving like a drunken sailor goes back to the old Irish KC standard for the breed. The Gilberts were friendly with the late Ruth Roes of Co-R’s O’Blue Max IWSs, & I’m sure that they attended at least one of her seminars on the breed.
A marvelous piece of information to share, Florence, thank you!