Whether your family hail from the Emerald Isle and you ’re wait for a cuspid to pair or you ’ve fallen in love with an Irish Setter or Wolfhound , there are so many reasons to lionize the dog of Ireland .
Here ’s everything you need to know about Irish dog breeds include their history and heritage , forcible appearance , grooming needs , and special retainer should you decide to impart one to your family .
Irish Dogs: 8 Top Breeds
Consider this your nimble guide to the top eight Irish dog stock .
Irish Setter
Irish Setters are perhaps most famous for their refined , refined appearance with a rich chestnut coating and the muscular physique of a duck hunting watch . “ They are an outgoing and affectionate stock that get it on companionship , ” says Gina DiNardo , executive secretary with the AKC , hence their status as a top - notch family heel always quick to skylark and play . However , “ be prepared to rail a gamy - energy dog that need distance to extend , ” suppose DiNardo . typographer take about 3 age to maturate to adulthood , and their long , flat coat postulate regular brush at least 2 - 3 times a week .
Kerry Blue Terrier
Named after the Irish county they hail from , Kerry Blue Terriers were raised to “ hound small game , ruck sheep and cattle , be a guard dog , and supply society , ” tell DiNardo . They sport a beautiful blasphemous - gray curly coat andimpressively large beard and mustache . Kerry Blues loosely love their masses but are less likely to get along with other dogs or small pets . Since they do n’t shed much , they require weekly brush and combing to avoid mat and neaten every 6 to 8 workweek .
Irish Terrier
With perky ears , a average - sized build , and wirey pale yellow to red - colored coat , Irish Terriers have served as hard - working farm dogs in Ireland and beyond for centuries . “ strain fanciers appreciate their confident and funny personality , as well as the secure bonds they form with those closest to them , ” says Dr. Linda Simon , a U.K.-based veterinarian . They ’re known for having a unregenerate , independent run and were built for endurance , so it ’s crucial to start training ahead of time , keep it up long - terminal figure , and give them plenty of space to break away . They do best in a exclusive - dog household and want their coats brushed and stripped ( intend hand - take out by a groomer ) rather than clipped .
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
“ The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a delightfully joyful strain that is less vivid than most Terrier strain , ” saysEmily Holden , a breeder based in Dauphin County , Pennsylvania . “ But be prepared for Terrier traits like obstinacy . ” Raised to be an all - purpose farm dog , Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers make for great companions and watchdog . But since they ’re so masses - focus , former grooming and socialization are key . Their silky pelage with a soft moving ridge does hail at a price : dress with a peg thicket or beguiler skirmish as well as a full cockscomb - through with a medium- and fine - toothed metal cockscomb should be done every dayto keep it matting - free .
Irish Water Spaniel
Known as the “ clowns ” of the Spaniel family , Irish Water Spaniels sport aPoodle - corresponding curly coating with a shaggy-coated bundle of curls or “ topknot ” on their head . “ This is a rarefied breed , and many people will never have seen one in their lifetime , ” says Dr. Simon . multiply to swim and hunt , they ’re highly athletic and — in turn — require spate of exercise(think : two hours outside each day to keep them calm at home ) . They need firm and reproducible preparation and can be standoffish with other dogs or stranger . coating upkeep requires unconstipated water system photo , comb every 1 to 2 hebdomad , and scissor every 6 to 8 weeks .
Glen of Imaal Terrier
name after a valley in Ireland ’s rugged Wicklow Mountains , Glens were raised to chase down badgers and help out on the farm . Like mini , stretched - out Irish Wolfhounds , they sport a no - nonsense expression and low - care wiry coat . While they “ are not athletically gifted , ” they do “ enjoy keeping active and exploring whenever the opportunity lift , ” tell Dr. Simon . Typical of Terriers , they can be feisty , stubborn , and not so into other dogs , but they make a in force add-on to family with older fry . They ’re also adaptable to life sentence in the country or city , tell DiNardo . “ They love a fence in - in yard to run , but be aware as they can easily grasp underneath it , ” she notes .
Irish Red and White Setter
Since the 1600s , Red and Whites have been a feature of the Irish landscape . Their dappled appearance is primal to assist dame Orion spot them from far off . Shorter and stockier than their famous cousins the Red Setters , Red and Whites are a “ friendly , sensitive , and eager - to - please breed that responds well to training , ” say DiNardo . While their temperament makes them a peachy family andiron , they ’re high - energy field dogs at heart and need set of run prison term . hebdomadary brush is a must to void mat , and their floppy , heavyears can be prostrate to infectionsafter swimming , note Dr. Simon . As such , particular aid to drying ear canals after a swim is fundamental .
Irish Wolfhound
It ’s easy to fall in love with these big Irish dog thanks to their sweet-scented nature , Brobdingnagian gallop , and impressive size , weighing in at up to 180 pounds with a altitude of 30 column inch or more . In the distant past , these hunters drove Wolf and big biz to extinction in Ireland , but these days , they ’re far too serene to dish as guard dogs . Irish Wolfhounds are well - bang for their tidings , courage , and sensitivity , a winning jazz band for a therapy dog or beloved crime syndicate pet .
However , “ the very qualities that make Irish Wolfhounds unique and coveted can make them a challenge to live with , ” allege Dr. Melanie Mercer , director of theIrish Wolfhound Club of Americaboard . Despite their gentle nature , their size and ebullience can ensue in bumps and bruise for small fry , and like all gargantuan breed , they have an increase risk of health job such as ivory genus Cancer and shortened lifespan of 6 to 8 eld — which is why it ’s essential to work with a trustworthy breeder .
Irish Dog Breed Facts
With such a long account , it ’s no wonderment Irish cad breeds have trifle central character in high society as well as caption and tale dating back centuries .
Here are a few of the most fascinating fact about these Irish dog .
1 . No one knows where Kerry Blue Terriers came from .
Their origins are unclear , but caption has it bucolic develop the breed to poach from the noblesse ’s hunters , Irish Wolfhounds . Others say they get from a single blasphemous dog that leapt from a Russian wreck or the Spanish Armada to mingle with Irish gals on shoring .
2 . The Irish Water Spaniel is likely the oldest Spaniel breed .
Their name has been reference in Irish texts as early as the 1100s , and some evidence advise these water supply - lovers may have been splashing around as far back as the 7th century advertising .
3 . For hundreds of years , Irish click were divided by class .
Sporting or hunting dogs were for fertile humans , while the poor were allowed to keep smaller , low - maintenance terriers .
4 . Irish Setters are name for “ setting down ” on their bellies .
This is how they signal to their hunting companions they ’ve found bird with their muscular nose .
5 . The Glen of Imaal may have made for a special fireside helper .
Some say Glens once used their powerful back stage and bowed front legs to serve as “ turnspit dogs . ” Supposedly , they helped turn the spit over the hearth as one would splay a rotisserie volaille by run on a gismo resembling a hamster roulette wheel .
6 . Irish Terriers serve alongside soldiers in World War I.
Irish Terriers have been laud for their role as smart and faithful messengers for soldiery during combat .
Famous Irish Dog Breeds
Many presidents and world leadership have had prized Irish companions over the years , but these canines are some of the most memorable for their fearlessness , forgivingness , and smarting .
Garryowen
Also know as Garry II , this Irish Setter could almost always be found at the side of the governor of Maine , Percival Proctor Baxter , from 1921 - 25 . He inspired Baxter to send isolated cad to prisons to serve as companions for inmates , and on his destruction , the governor ordered the statehouse flag to be lowered to half faculty in honor of his good friend .
Boatswain
This Irish Water Spaniel is consider the father of his breed , credited with passing down his pup their classic look . Rumor has it he survive to be 20 years previous .
King Timahoe
President Richard Nixon ’s Irish setter — named after his ancestors ’ home in Ireland — was illustrious for his mellifluous tooth . A clip from NBC Evening News show him scarfing down a art object of bar at Nixon ’s 61st natal day party .
Gelert
As the legend goes , this love Irish Wolfhound fought valiantly to save a babe from being devoured by a wolf . But when his possessor come home to retrieve his infant miss , he strike Gelert ache the minor and killed him — only to take in afterward , upon hear his baby ’s cry , that his frump had in fact protected the nestling before his tragic demise .
