My dog Kelly is sporting a shamrock bandana in honor of her Irish canine brothers and sisters. On St. Patrick’s Day, we’re all Irish!
Like Kelly, you might participate in the wearin’ o’ the green. Or, if you’re a real Hibernophile (lover of all things Ireland!) and looking for a pet, you might want to consider one of these Irish breeds of dogs—and one cat!
1. Irish Setter
(Large, 60-70 pounds) This popular bird dog is best known for its flowing red hair. A high energy dog, the Irish Setter requires lots of room to run, but its sweet, stable personality makes it a great family pet. According to the Irish Setter Club of America, it “stays a puppy for a long time, and retains some of its merry Irish character forever.”
2. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
(Medium, 30-40 pounds) Like its name implies, this cute dog has a soft, buff colored coat. Terriers are known for being scrappy and playful, but this dog is also good with children. The Wheaten Terrier does well in the country, city or suburbs.
3. Kerry Blue Terrier
(Medium, 33-40 pounds) The way to distinguish a Kerry Blue Terrier is from its wavy gray to grayish-blue coat. This intelligent dog, native of County Kerry, was bred to retrieve and herd. Described as “energetic and fun loving,” this terrier is good with families, but may not be a good choice if you have cats or other dogs.
4. Irish Wolfhound
(Extra-large, 105-120 pounds) Want a really big dog? Then consider the Irish Wolfhound. While this breed is not the heaviest, it is one of the tallest, with individual dogs standing about 35 inches tall. The rough coat comes in several colors including gray, brindle, fawn or red. The Irish Wolfhound is a large, graceful, muscular dog, an excellent runner that makes a great family pet—but you’ll need a lot of space, and a large car!
5. Manx
(Medium, 8-10 pounds) This cat originated on the Isle of Man, an island off the coast of Ireland. The most unique feature of the Manx is a short stub tail, or no tail at all. The coat comes in both shorthair and longhair and in a variety of colors, including brown, black, orange, solid and bi-colored. The Manx is playful, a good jumper, and loves attention. A funny myth about the Manx is that Noah accidentally cut off its tail as he hurried to close the door of the ark!
In addition to dogs and cats, some breeds or horses originated in Ireland. If you’ve got the space for a horse, check out the Irish Draught and the Kerry Bog Pony.
