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, they also make excellent family pets, they are just not as well known as some of the more popular breeds of today.

This breed has a very unique coat being made up of all tightly coiled ringlets. This will help protect them from cold weather, as well as cold water making it much easier for them to hunt/retrieve. The Irish Water Spaniel has a lean, muscular body, a slender long tail, and strong toned legs making the swim to retrieve game faster. They have large floppy ears and a long powerful muzzle to carry birds in, but should be noted that they are quite gentle with their owners catch!

The Irish Water Spaniel is a head strong, willing, and happy dog that will be a great pet as well as a hard working partner. They get along well with children and smaller family pets as long as they both treat the dog with respect. This breed is not for a family or owner that has had no experience raising or training dogs because they have a stubborn attitude at times and will require more exercise and attention than the everyday house pet.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Males: 20-24 inches high
Females: 20-24 inches high

Weight

Males: 45-65 lbs
Females: 45-65 lbs

Color(s)

The Irish Water Spaniel will come in one colour only which is the rich brown. There is to be a purple-ish hue in the light making their coat unique only to them. Some lines will be a darker brown and other lines will be a more rich light brown.

Coat

These dogs have a tightly curled coat that will have the same texture throughout their entire body! Their fur is double layered with the outer layer being the curls which are a soft, clean texture and the under layer being thick and plush. They have this specific coat because they need extra warmth when swimming in extremely cold water.

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Personality

This breed will need a lot of socialization as a puppy, especially around other dogs and people so when in social situations they will not become timid or aggressive. The Irish Water Spaniel is a comical breed that will make a wonderful companion as long as they are raised by an owner who is firm yet fair. Training this breed will need to start as soon as they are brought home to ensure they understand what is acceptable in the household and what is not. The Irish Water Spaniel is a clever breed and will make a great addition to the right owner or family!

These dogs are protective, loyal and independent but still quite affectionate towards their masters. People they have never met before will in a sense, not matter unless they are formally introduced to the dog. Generally they are a goofy dog that has a charming personality and excellent demeanor. This agile and beautiful breed will be a great pet for people that enjoy physical activity or just enjoy the outdoors!

Care

The Irish Water Spaniel will need a moderate amount of grooming to keep their coat looking great. Brushing 4-5 times per week and bathing when the owner finds this necessary will be perfect. These dogs tend to be quite clean so the only real supervision should just be towards tangles developing in their coats. The Irish Water Spaniel is prone to ear infections, and hypothyroidism. Generally this breed is quite healthy but the parents medical history should be checked just for the potential owners awareness of any inheritable diseases.

Training

The Irish Water Spaniel will need an owner with experience to raise and train them in obedience. They have a stubborn side which will sometimes make them more difficult to train but consistency and repetition are always the key. These dogs are incredibly smart and have the motivation to please their owners, but need gentle yet firm guidance in order to follow commands. It is suggested that these dogs be given short training lessons multiple times per day so they have time to think about the commands and have the concepts sink in.

Activity

This breed will need at least an hour per day of exercise and this can be done at an off-leash park where they can run and stretch their legs or just by swimming! They will burn off much more energy being off-leash roaming, or chasing after a ball than on a walk. The Irish Water Spaniel will be better off in a household environment that has a backyard because they need as much indoor and outdoor space as possible to live in.

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 confused for each other. It was commonly thought that they were; in fact, the same breed, but they later noticed that the Red and White dogs were fading away. The breed was thought to be in extinction but during the late 1920s there was a lot of efforts being made to revive the breed. The hard work led to the breed being separately classified and given a champion status by the Irish Kennel Club.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Male dogs: 24.5 to 26 inches

Female dogs: 22.5 to 24 inches

Weight

Male: 50-75 lbs

Female: 50-70 lbs

Color(s)

As the name of the dog breed states; Red and White.

Coat

The Irish Red and White Setter has fine silky hair called feathering located on legs and a decent amount on the flank extending to the chest and throat. On the Setter’s head, legs and other parts of the body the hair is flat, short and straight. Curly hair is a disqualifying quality, but a slight wave of the hair is accepted.

Life Expectancy

About 11-15 years.

Personality

Irish Red and White Setters are an energetic, intelligent breed. They are very affectionate, tend to get along well with other animals and are great with children!

Care

A known health condition that affects many Irish Red and White Setters is Posterior Polar Cataract (PPC). They will not cause the dog to become blind, but it is present in this dog breed. Give these Setters a good amount of exercise and they should live a healthy life.

Training

These dogs can be very difficult to own without the proper training. Give these dogs a lot of exercise, firm handling and good communication and you will enjoy owning a Red and White! Make sure that you start training the dog at a young age to prevent it from developing any bad habits. Enforce the fact that you are their master because you don’t want to lose control of your dog.

Activity

It is difficult to manage an Irish Red and White Setter who doesn’t get much exercise because the breed will tend to become restless. A long walk is recommended daily and a big yard to run around safely is a plus.

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 fast field dog sturdy over any terrain and in any climate and nice hunting companion with an excellent sense of smell.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

24 – 28 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

60 – 75 lbs

Color(s)

The color of the Irish Setter is rich red from mahogany to chestnut.

Coat

The Irish Setter’s smooth coat is short and fine on head, forelegs and ear tips while moderately long and flat elsewhere.

Life Expectancy

About 11 – 15 years.

Personality

The Irish Setter has boundless energy, very impulsive this dog is full of life. Typically Irish with is friendly “sense of humor”, the Irish Setter seem ignoring apparent danger or difficulties, joyous, woozy and stubborn are used to outline this impulsive and lovable breed.

Good natured, intelligent and very affectionate the Irish Setter enjoy being around people, he is excellent with children and not aggressive towards other dogs, however, due to its boisterous and headstrong personality this breed is not recommended for the average home.

Care

The Irish Setter is especially prone to epilepsy and allergic skin diseases. They also suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and hypothyroidism.

Unfortunately this breed tends to bloat, it may be wise to feed them two or three small meals a day instead of one big one. The Irish Setter require only a daily brushing and combing to keep its coat in excellent condition free of mats or tangles. Bathing and dry shampoo only when necessary, this breed is a medium shedder.

Training

Often difficult to train because of their flighty and giddy personality the Irish Setter requires patient, firm and consistent training at an early age to prevent development of bad habits. The Irish Setter is a fine well-rounded hunting dog who does well on any terrain even on wetlands, some of its many talents include hunting, tracking, retrieving and pointing.

Activity

The Irish Setter is mostly more active than the other breeds and is best suited to country environment rather than apartment life. Without any outdoor activities scheduled or not given enough exercise the Irish Setter will become hyperactive and difficult to manage.

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 long coat and a tuft of hair covering the entire length of their face. Their muzzle is long and rectangular with their ears being large and pricked upwards. This breed has a muscular agile body and long athletic legs. Although they are a large breed, the Wheaten is precise and quick when it comes to hunting and herding animals making them great working dogs as well as great family pets.

The Wheaten has a goofy sweet temperament that qualifies them as the perfect family pet. They love children and will play for hours on end with them. Although they get along very well with people, smaller pets such as cats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. will not be safe around this breed. The Wheaten has a very high prey drive and any small animal that catches their eye will not be safe. This dog will grow an extremely strong bond with their families and will constantly show affection, loyalty and love.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 18-20 inches high
Females: 17-19 inches high

Weight

Males: 35-45 lbs
Females: 30-40 lbs

Color(s)

The soft coated Wheaten terrier will only come in one colouring, which is the wheat/blonde. Their puppies are completely black at birth and will lighten to their wheat colouring as they age!

Coat

This breed has a long messy looking coat that is thick and fluffy to keep them warm when hunting or herding in cold temperatures. They have a “hypoallergenic” coat meaning they shed a little amount of dander which will be great for people that suffer from animal related allergies. The Wheaten’s fur will continually grow, so they will need constant haircuts to keep their coat short and equal length.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Wheaten is an animated goofy character that has an infectiously happy personality. They love to be in the company of their family and will become depressed if left alone too often. They are known to be young at heart even when they get to be an older age. Charming and clever, the Wheaten will need thorough training in a gentle manner especially when teaching the house rules. Repetition and consistency will be needed so they can really understand their owners commands.

This breed will get along with other dogs well, but should not be around any smaller animals or pets because they consider these to be prey. Socialization as puppies will be needed around dogs and other animals to ensure this breed will be comfortable and aware of his surroundings as an adult.

Care

The soft coated Wheaten terrier will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing about once per week and bathing once every 2 months will be perfect for this dogs coat. They will need to have their fur trimmed quite often but this is up to how the owner would like the dog to look. Some owners prefer a long haired dog, others prefer their Wheaten to have short hair! This breed is prone to protein-losing enteropathy, hip dysplasia, allergies to fleas and kidney dysplasia.

Training

These dogs are incredibly smart and will not require too much training to understand basic obedience. They just need consistency and gentle repetitive methods to grasp the concept their owner is teaching them. Training should be made fun and include short lessons to encourage the dog to want to keep learning. Even as adults, the Wheaten will still act like a puppy so training will need to be an ongoing activity until they mature.

Activity

This breed will need to be taken to off-leash dog parks so they can run around freely or be taken on a long walk every day. They are not extremely hyper dogs, but do require a good amount of exercise every day. The Wheaten will do well in an apartment and would be better off with a backyard to run around in. When walking this breed, the owner should always have a leash on them in case the Wheaten spots a small animal and begins a chase.

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 dog of Ireland.

This breed is known for their unique coat colour and texture. They have very tight curls all over their body and their fur and skin are a slate blue colouring. The Kerry Blue’s muzzle is rectangular and will have long tufts of fur resembling a beard and moustache! Their ears are small and slightly pricked upward and they have round deep set eyes. This dog has a muscular body that allows them to be quick and agile when hunting and their tail is naturally long but will be docked for show purposes.

The Kerry Blue is an energetic, animated character that entertains their family on a regular basis. They have a loving, protective personality that gives them the trademark attitude they are well known for. Great for families, this breed loves people and will get along ok with other family dogs but when encountering strange dogs might be a bit aggressive. Smaller pets will need to be monitored around this dog as they have a high prey drive for rodents and game.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 18-20 inches high
Females: 17-19 inches high

Weight

Males: 33-40 lbs
Females: 33-40 lbs

Color(s)

The Kerry Blue Terriers coat has many varieties of one colour, that being a dark blue. These can darken and lighten depending on age but most common is a slate or medium grey colouring. Puppies are born completely black but will lighten as they grow up!

Coat

This breed is notorious for their coat texture which is unique only to them. It is a tightly curled, soft to the touch coat that is unlike any other breed. Their coat is very clean so it will not give off the “dog smell” and will shed only a small amount of fur.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Kerry Blue is a free-spirited dog that is independent and enjoys finding different jobs to entertain themselves. They are a stubborn breed making them a bit more difficult to train and raise so for first time owners, this dog is not recommended. They are devoted to their master and are extremely loyal dogs making them a perfect breed for hunters or farmers. The Kerry Blue will make a great watchdog because they’re responsive but are not barky dogs that alert the household for false reasons.

This breed will excel greatly in tracking and agility trials because they are energetic, exuberant dogs that will work hard for their masters. Socialization as puppies will be greatly needed especially around dogs and small animals to ensure that upon meeting, the Kerry Blue does not become aggressive or timid.

Care

This breed will need a fair amount of grooming to keep them looking great. Brushing should be done 2-3 times per week and bathing about once every month. Their ears will need to be plucked every month or 2 just to remove the excess fur that will collect debris. The Kerry Blue is prone to a few eye ailments such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy and cataracts, as well as hip dysplasia and entropian. Hair follicle tumors, hypothyroidism, cysts, and Keratoconjuctivitis sicca are other diseases they might genetically inherit.

Training

This breed will need an owner that has experience in raising dogs and training as they are not recommended for first time owners. These dogs are stubborn and will be more difficult to train, so a firm hand and fun training exercises will be the key to helping these dogs grasp the information. Sessions should be kept short and be repeated often as this encourages them to want to learn!

Activity

The Kerry Blue Terrier will need to be exercised on a daily basis and time spent in an off-leash park or on a long walk will be perfect. These dogs will do well in an apartment as long as they are exercised enough and do not need a back yard but having access to one would be a bonus.

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 small floppy ears. Their body is lean yet muscular and their legs are straight but toned to allow them quick starts to hunt down their prey. Naturally their tail is long and slender but for show purposes will be docked. The Irish Terrier has a scruffy appearance but was intentionally bred to have these characteristics.

These dogs are brave, temperamental yet completely free-spirited. They have a deep connection with their owners and will show affection and loyalty to them at all times. These dogs are curious little creatures and enjoy exploring new territory as well as hunting for small animals because they have such a very high prey drive!

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 18 inches high
Females: 18 inches high

Weight

Males: 25-27 lbs

Females: 25-27 lbs

Color(s)

The Irish Terrier will come in a solid wheat, red or a gold colouring. Most commonly seen is the golden colour.

Coat

This breed has a short, harsh textured coat that consists of two layers. The top coat is dense and wiry to the touch while the under coat is much softer and thicker keeping this breed warm during the colder temperatures.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 15 years.

Personality

The Irish Terrier is an energetic, fun loving dog that loves to be around their families. They have a bit of a temper and can be quite stubborn if a situation doesn’t suit them. This breed will be an excellent dog for families but would be best suited if there are no other pets in the household. Irish Terriers tend to be a bit more aggressive around other dogs and will consider small pets such as hamsters, mice, and guinea pigs etc. prey.

These dogs are not barkers but have good reason to when they do, making them good watchdogs. This breed is not only a great working and family dog, but they will also excel in agility, obedience, and tracking trials.

Care

This breed will need very minimal grooming as their coat is short and will not mat. Brushing should be done about once per week just to remove the dead fur and bathing about once every 2-3 months. The Irish Terrier is prone to cataracts, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism. They are generally a very healthy breed with few genetically inherited diseases.

Training

The Irish Terrier will need a firm owner who is consistent with basic obedience. They are intelligent dogs but need repetition and gentle training methods to grasp the obedience concept. If short sessions are made enjoyable they will encourage the Irish Terrier to want to learn as they have a high motivation to please their owners.

Activity

The Irish Terrier will need a long walk every day and also time spent in an off-leash area where they can run around. They are quite energetic dogs so about an hour or two of exercise daily will be needed to tire them out. These dogs will do well in an apartment if they get daily exercise. A fenced in backyard would be perfect so they can have an outdoor area at home to roam around in.

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 gamblers alike would bet on. The Glen of Imaal was also used for manual labor in a wheel shaped contraption that they would run in. As they ran the machine would slowly spin a long rod that would sear meat like an old age rotisserie!

These dogs have a shaggy coat and a long athletic body. The Glen of Imaal has a disproportionate body that is longer than it is tall. This breed has large ears that prick half way up as well as a rectangular shaped muzzle that is very powerful. Their tail is naturally long but is docked for show purposes. These dogs slightly resemble the Welsh Corgi in body shape and the West Highland White Terrier in facial expression.

This breed is a lively, playful, exuberant dog that has a bit of a stubborn streak. They are devoted to their owners and the family but will be less welcoming of new people to the household. Upon a couple of meetings, this breed will warm up and become much friendlier. The Glen of Imaal will make perfect family dogs as they adore children! This breed will be suitable in an environment that has no other pets because they are not as outgoing with other dogs and consider smaller animals such as cats, hamsters, rabbits etc. prey and will chase these.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 12-14 inches high
Females: 12-14 inches high

Weight

Males: 34-36 lbs
Females: 34-36 lbs

Color(s)

The Bull Terrier comes in solid white, brindle, fawn, red, tri-colour and black. Most commonly seen are the solid white and brindle colouring.

Coat

This breed has a double layered coat that has a thick, soft under layer and a tougher, more harsh textured outer coat. This will help them stay much warmer in colder temperatures when hunting alongside their owners. Their coat will need moderate grooming as they should be brushed about twice per week. Bathes should be given every 2-3 months and they will need to have their fur stripped about twice a year.

Life Expectancy

About 10-14 years.

Personality

The Glen of Imaal is a tough, scrappy dog that has a soft spot for their families. They are muscular hunters that are agile, intelligent and tenacious. They are hard working and extremely loyal to their owners and have a harsh attitude when it comes to hunting down their prey. It is said that the only way these dogs will release their grip from their prey is to force open their jaws! The Glen of Imaal has an intense love for their owners and are affectionate, playful and energetic. These dogs will make great family pets or working dogs for people that are looking for a loyal and hardworking breed.

This dog has an arrogant attitude but it exhibits his character about his confidence. They are outgoing and passionate dogs that need an owner who will be able to train, live with, and share their lifestyle with, as these types of dogs need owners who will be willing to go the extra mile with them!

Care

This breed will need to be brushed on a weekly basis as their coat is long and thick which will promote tangles and mats. Bathing will not need to be done often unless the dog dirties themselves but yearly stripping of their coat will be needed at least twice. The Glen of Imaal Terrier is prone to skin allergies and some eye diseases, one being Progressive Retinal Atrophy. On the whole this dog is a very healthy breed.

Training

The Glen of Imaal will need strict and firm training. These dogs are smart but have a stubborn attitude that will need to be worked on. Gentle methods are necessary but firm consistency and repetition will be the only way to train this breed. They have a high motivation to please their owners so once training is completely understood they show excellent understanding.

Activity

This breed will need daily long walks to burn off their energy. They play the majority of the day which usually tires them out but will still need more exercise. Trips to an area where they can run around would also be great for these dogs to play or chase a ball. The Glen of Imaal will do ok in an apartment as long as they have their daily exercise. A fenced in backyard would be ideal but isn’t necessary for this breed.

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 high!

The original blood lines of the Irish Wolfhound came from a dog called the Cu. They were used to hunt boar, elk and wolves as well. They were dogs owned by Irish nobility and were given as presents to royalty. This breed was so efficient that they eventually killed off wolves entirely in Ireland. From then on they were seen less and less as their job had been done!

The Irish Wolfhound is a regal and athletic breed of dog with a famously shaggy coat. They are an extra large breed that is gentle and sweet although they may not look it. They love people, children, and if raised with smaller pets will co-exist well as they are very loyal and love to be part of the pack.

Breed Group

Hound

Size

Males: 28-35 inches high

Females: 28-35 inches high

Weight

Males: 90-150 lbs

Females: 90-150 lbs

Color(s)

The Irish Wolfhounds most popular coat colouring is a solid gray. Solid white, red, black, brindle, fawn and brown are also acceptable colours.

Coat

This breed has a hard, bristle-like coat texture that is designed to keep them warm in cold temperatures. They have a distinctive face that is slender with fringed eyebrows making them look like big friendly dogs. Their coat will require weekly brushing and at least 2-3 times per year it will need to be plucked of the dead fur.

Life Expectancy

About 6 – 8 years.

Personality

The Irish Wolfhound is a loyal, loving companion that greatly enjoys the company of their owners. They are perfect for families as they love children and are generally well behaved and calm individuals. Friendly towards everyone, this big dog is an oafish giant. As puppies, they will grow at a very quick rate so premium food will be needed, and loads of it. Exercise should be kept to a moderate level as too much can be hard on their bodies which will affect them when they reach adulthood.

As a puppy, the Irish Wolfhound may seem to grow up quickly. Leash training will need to be started at an early age to get them used to walking at the owners pace or else when they’ve reached full grown size, there will be a large dog walking a person at the end of the leash!

Care

The Irish Wolfhound will need to be brushed about once or twice per week. Plucking their coat should be done about 2 or 3 times per year just to make sure all the dead fur is removed. This breed is prone to bloat, cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and bone cancer. During the first 6-8 month period of their life, the Irish Wolfhound will need to be monitored when exercising as over doing it at this age could result in overly stretched limbs. Unfortunately the bigger the dog doesn’t mean the bigger the lifespan. These dogs only live to around 8 years old.

Training

This breed is a relatively easy dog to train. They love to please their master so as long as basic obedience is taught in a firm but positive manner, there will be no problems. Negative training methods will not aide this dog. On the whole, this breed is very bright and will be able to understand and grasp training quickly.

Activity

This breed will need at least 1-2 long walks per day. They would not do well in an apartment as they need as much space as possible because they are very big dogs. Either a yard or even acreage would be perfect so they have room to run around. Oddly enough, daily walks will be sufficient for this breed but as puppies the exercise should be kept to a minimum.