Ireland’s dog breeds range from the sleek Irish Setter to the towering Irish Wolfhound, each with real history behind it.
The Breeds
Irish Setter - brought to America in the mid-1860s, known for its striking red coat and skill locating game birds.
Irish Wolfhound - one of the world’s largest breeds, redeveloped in the late 19th century by Captain George Augustus Graham (recognised 1879) using Great Danes and Scottish Deerhounds to recreate the original, much older Irish Wolfhound line, which dates back at least to the 5th century.
Kerry Blue Terrier - believed connected to Spanish Armada-era dogs, bred to control vermin, known for a coat that changes from black to blue as it matures. Has a genuine, if informal, historical claim to being Ireland’s national dog - the breed was reportedly pushed for that formal status in the 1920s, associated with Michael Collins, though nothing was ever formalised.
Irish Terrier - descended from black-and-tan terrier-type dogs, served as messenger dogs in WWI trenches.
Irish Water Spaniel - developed in Ireland in the 1830s, an intelligent, independent breed excelling at retrieving.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier - a working farm dog with a documented history stretching back at least 200 years in Ireland.
Glen of Imaal Terrier - developed by farmers in the Wicklow Glens during the 17th-18th centuries, bred to hunt fox and badger, and historically used as a turnspit dog.
Kerry Beagle - dating to the late 18th century, believed descended from the Old Southern Hound.
Care Basics
Vaccination against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and kennel cough is standard. Most breeds here need 30 minutes to 2 hours of daily activity, and training benefits from starting early with positive reinforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ireland’s national dog? There’s no single official answer. The Kerry Blue Terrier has a real, if informal, historical claim - reportedly nearly formalised in the 1920s - while the Irish Wolfhound is also widely regarded as Ireland’s national or symbolic dog. Both claims are genuine; neither is officially settled.
Did Irish Wolfhounds go extinct? No - though the breed declined sharply by the late 1800s and was deliberately redeveloped through selective breeding using related large breeds.
What’s the oldest Irish dog breed? The Irish Wolfhound has the best-documented ancient lineage, referenced as far back as the 5th century.
What breeds actually come from Ireland? The Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Wolfhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, and Kerry Beagle are all genuinely Irish in origin.
