Irish Dog Breeds

Ireland is home to great selection of dog breeds. These dogs are clever, hard working and friendly with people. The Irish dogs that we know today have all originated from the Emerald Isle and they have been used for hunting and sporting in the past. Irish dog breeds include the Terriers of Ireland ( Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, etc.) , the Irish Gun Dogs (Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, etc.) and the Irish Hounds. For more information on these Irish Dog Breeds, check out the list below:

Irish Water Spaniel

Posted on 28. May, 2009 by admin.

The Irish Water Spaniel originated in Ireland and was bred to retrieve game from lakes or rivers. It is thought that this breed is a mixture of the Barbet, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog and Curly Coated Retriever but this is not certain. Although they make great working dogs both alone and along side their master, [...]

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Irish Red and White Setter

Posted on 28. May, 2009 by admin.

The Red and White Setter isn’t too well known outside of it’s native Ireland. There is two known Irish Setter breeds and it has been documented that the Red and White is the older of the two breeds. There has always been a slight confusion about the Irish Setter’s proper color because they were often [...]

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Irish Setter

Posted on 28. May, 2009 by admin.

The Irish Setter derived from a variety of spaniels, setters, and pointers. He is probably older then the English Setter, but both are ancestors of the heavier Old Spanish Pointer breed. The Irish Setter is both a pointer and retriever, who has a rich, exuberant red mahogany coat and a communicative expression. He is a [...]

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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Posted on 25. May, 2009 by admin.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier originated in Ireland and were bred to hunt rodents, to herd, and to guard farm animals. These dogs are believed to have blood relativity to the Kerry Blue Terrier and became popular in the mid 1940′s when they were brought over to the United States. This breed has a shaggy [...]

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Kerry Blue Terrier

Posted on 25. May, 2009 by admin.

The Kerry Blue Terrier originated in Ireland and was bred to hunt and retrieve small game for farmers and hunters alike. It is thought that the Wheaten, Irish Wolfhound and Portuguese Water Dog are in the bloodline of the Kerry Blue. This breed also called the Irish Blue Terrier and is famously known as the [...]

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Irish Terrier

Posted on 25. May, 2009 by admin.

The Irish Terrier originated in Ireland and were bred to hunt rodents and otters but can also be used for retrieving. Today they are primarily companion dogs but still have their hunting instincts! Their most obvious ancestors were the Black and Tan Terriers that originated in Britain. This breed has a long rectangular muzzle and [...]

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Glen of Imaal Terrier

Posted on 25. May, 2009 by admin.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier originated in Ireland and was bred to hunt badgers, foxes, and rodents. They are related to the Irish Terrier, Wheaten Terrier, and Kerry Blue Terrier. Their name comes from the region in Ireland from which they began to be bred. These dogs were used in pit fights that owners and [...]

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Irish Wolfhound

Posted on 21. May, 2009 by admin.

The Irish Wolfhound originated in Ireland, just as its name suggests. They were used to hunt wolf and were very capable of doing so as they are a large, agile breed that hunts using their sight. They are considered the largest dog in the world as they can grow up to a whopping 35 inches [...]