8 Lucky Irish Dog Breeds Posted by:PetFoodDirect // March 15, 2014 // When referring to the luck of the Irish, one need not look any further than the magnificent dog breeds that hail from the Emerald Isle to know just how deep the luck runs. Dog breeds descending from Ireland reflect the temperament of the people and the land from which they originate, including courage, humor and strength. Learn more about Irish dog breeds, here… Glen of Imaal Terrier The Glen of Imaal Terrier, also known as the Wicklow Terrier, originated in the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow, Ireland. Known as “a big dog on short legs” the Glen of Imaal is considered a dwarf breed. Short and muscular, with a large head and half-prick ears, the breed is more substantial and muscular that other terriers and often weighs as much as 35 pounds. First recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934 and by the American Kennel Club in 2004, the Glen of Imaal evolved during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I from French hounds, who came over with French and Hessian mercenaries to keep peace in Ireland, and the local terriers. Used to hunt rat, fox, badger and otter, in addition to herding, the Glen of Imaal is a strong working dog that goes into the dens of their prey rather than sounding when their prey is found. Overall, the Glen of Imaal is intelligent, energetic and tenacious; yet tends to be more even-tempered than and not as vocal as other terriers. Like most terriers, there is a tendency to be stubborn so a firm hand is essential. While fearless, loyal and friendly with people, other dogs may present a problem and bring out some aggression. It has also been said that the Glen of Imaal was used as a turnspit dog, walking in a circle on a stone to turn meat over the fire; however, evidence of that is scarce. Irish Terrier One of the oldest terrier breeds, the Irish Terrier was first recognized at the Dublin Dog Show in 1873 and the first to create a separate class for Irish Terriers. An active and compact dog with a harsh red coat that protects it from rain and cold, the Irish Terrier should have an angular appearance, strong body and racy lines. Their tail are usually docked approximately two-thirds of the original length. The average weight of an Irish Terrier is 25-30 pounds. Irish Terriers should be socialized early, as they do tend to be dominant with other dogs and may become aggressive. Believed to have descended from the black and tan terrier like dogs of Britain and Ireland, the Irish Terrier is described as being “the poor man’s sentinel”, “the farmer’s friend”, and “the gentleman’s favorite”. An active dog, they are good with people and have a highly developed sense of loyalty, so a strong lead is an absolute necessity. In addition, they need a good deal of exercise, enjoy learning new tasks and problem solving such as puzzle toys . Famous Irish Terriers include Jerry and Michael, of Jack London’s books, Jerry of the Islands and Michael, Brother of Jerry; the canine star of 2007’s Firehouse Dog was an Irish Terrier; and, former Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King owned many Irish Terriers that he named. King also attempted to communicate with the original Pat via séances. Irish Setter Green may be the color of the Irish, but a dark red chestnut is the color of the beautiful dog known as the Irish Setter. A gundog and family dog, the first appearance of the Irish Setter in literature was in 1570 in Caius’s, De Canibus Britannicus. The setter described by Caius, while not the Irish Setter as we know it today, does share the working characteristics of today’s Irish Setter. Tireless and wide-raging hunters, Irish Setters are primarily bred to hunt and locate game birds, pointing in the direction of their owner’s prey. Besides a strong hunting instinct, the Irish Setter is also a great companion dog, a jovial family member who loves children, other dogs and other household pets. Full of energy, an Irish Setter should be watched around cats and small children as they can be rambunctious and ready for play that could be unintentionally dangerous. Because they are full of energy, Irish Setters require long, daily walks and time to run in an open area. However, before you let your Irish Setter off lead, make sure he is well trained and has mastered the command to “come,” as Irish Setters will often play deaf when allowed to run. In addition to having a great deal of energy, Irish Setters like having a job to do. A lack of focus The average Irish Setter weighs 60-70 pounds and has a silky, richly colored coat. Irish Water Spaniel Also known as the “Shannon Spaniel,” the “Whip-Tailed Spaniel,” and the “Rat-Tailed Spaniel,” the Irish Water Spaniel is one of the largest and oldest spaniels in addition to being one of the rarest. One of the original nine breeds to be recognized by the AKC in 1884, the Irish Water Spaniel is characterized by its webbed feet for powerful swimming, topknot of long, loose curls and a body covered with a dense, crisply curled liver colored coat, contrasted by a smooth face and a smooth rat tail. A natural water dog, the ancient breed is over 1,000 years old and is thought to be descended from the Dobhar-chu. Other possible breeds that may have influenced the makeup of the Irish Water Spaniel include the Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog and the now extinct English Water Spaniel. An active, eager and energetic companion, they have a natural instinct to please and are great family dog. However, the Irish Water Spaniel does not always get along well with other pets, so they must be socialized early. The largest of the Spaniel group, the Irish Water Spaniel is 22 to 24 inches in height and weighs 55 to 60 pounds. Irish Wolfhound The tallest of the dog breeds, Irish literature calls the ancient breed the “Big Dogs of Ireland.” In fact, it is thought that the breed may have been brought to Ireland in as early as 7000 B.C. The Roman’s first documented, and were amazed by the Wolfhound, in the year 391 A.D., where they were presented to the Roman Counsel as gifts. At an average of 32” tall and 120 pounds, indeed, the Irish Wolfhound is a truly magnificent and regal dog. A powerful, swift and keen hunter, the Irish Wolfhound requires a lot of room to run. Unlike many breeds, Irish Wolfhounds are known as not having similar personality, but rather are known for their personal quirks and individualism. Generally quiet in nature, they tend to be introverted, intelligent and reserved. They have a strong bond with their family, are gentle with children and don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time. Relatively easy to train, they work well with firm, gentle and consistent leadership. Kerry Blue Terrier The Kerry Blue hails from the Irish county of the same name; he had been purebred in that section of Ireland for more than a hundred years. Known for his superior working and hunting skills, the Kerry Blue is used for hunting small game and birds, and for retrieving from land as well as water. The breed was first recognized by the AKC in 1922. A strong-headed and highly spirited dog, they are a loyal and affectionate with their owners and gentle with children, but can be very aggressive and mean with other dogs. That said, a Kerry Blue should be socialized early with other dogs. Fast, strong and intelligent, they are great obedience dogs and have been used as police dogs, sheep herders and tracking. Kerry Blue Terriers require an owner who is active, skilled at obedience training and has a good sense of humor as they have a great sense of humor themselves. Michael Collins, an Irish revolutionary leader, was a proud owner of a Kerry Blue named Convict 224. So much so did he love the breed that Collins attempted to have the Kerry Blue adopted as the national breed of Ireland. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier An all purpose farm dog that has been bred in Ireland for over 200 years, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was used to herd, watch and guard livestock and hunt and kill vermin. While sharing a similar ancestry with the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Irish Terrier, they were not owned by gentry. In fact, they were often called the “poor man’s wolfhound,” as they were used on farms. An energetic and playful dog, the Soft Coated Wheaton needs patience and consistency in training. A trainer who is too harsh may cause fear or aggression. A positive tone and praise will work will with the intelligent, yet headstrong Wheaton. While possessing less terrier-tude than other breeds of terriers, the Wheaton still requires regular activity and mental stimulation as boredom may lead to destructive behavior. Overall Wheatens get along well with other dogs when socialized properly. Extremely friendly and loving pets, they do have a tendency to jump up and lick when greeting hello. This is known as the “Wheaton greetin.’” A generally friendly breed, Wheatons are great watch dogs, but poor guard dogs as they are generally friendly with most people. Irish Red & White Setter The Irish Red and White Setter is thought to have emerged at the end of the 17th Century in Ireland, and is red and white in color, as opposed to the solid red Irish Setter. The history of the breed is as mysterious as the myths and legends of the country of origin. Its original purpose was as a versatile hunting companion, providing food for the table, both fur and feather. The Irish Red and White Setter was fully recognized by the AKC in 2009. As companions, they are loving, loyal and best suited for a very active family. Like other setters, the Irish Red and White Setter was breed to hunt and retrieve game and birds. Once the prey is located, the dog freezes or points to where the bird is hiding. It may even crouch and remain rigid, while staring intensely at the location of the bird while sniffing the air. Overall, the Irish Red and White Setter is a devoted and affectionate family member that gets along well with children. An active and intelligent breed, it is important to keep them stimulated both mentally and physically. They would not do well in a city environment as they tend to need room to run.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 11:25:19 +0000
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