What ever way you look at it, we are an island of dog lovers. 1 in 4 Irish households has a dog and many of us have grown up with dogs all our lives. Dogs are an integral part of Irish life, from farming to recreational & companionship.
There are nine recognised native dogs breeds to Ireland, here is the list.
| # | Breed | Type |
| 1 | Irish Wolfhound | Hound |
| 2 | Kerry Beagle | Hound |
| 3 | Irish Red Setter | Gundog |
| 4 | Irish Red & White Setter | Gundog |
| 5 | Irish Water Spaniel | Gundog |
| 6 | Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier | Terrier |
| 7 | Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | Terrier |
| 8 | Irish Terrier | Terrier |
| 9 | Kerry Blue Terrier | Terrier |
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Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are a large breed of dog known for their tall, slender build and dignified appearance. They are the tallest breed of dog, with males standing at least 80 centimeters tall at the shoulder and females standing at least 72 centimeters tall. They typically weigh between 45 and 54 kilograms. They are the quintessential symbol of an Irish dog, and are subjects in many Irish folklore stories.
In terms of temperament, Irish Wolfhounds are known for their calm and gentle disposition. They are intelligent and easy to train, and they make excellent family pets. They are patient and good-natured with children and are generally good with other pets. They are also known for their loyal and protective nature, and they make excellent guard dogs. Despite their size, Irish Wolfhounds are known to be graceful and agile, and they excel in lure coursing and other sporting activities.
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Kerry Beagle
Kerry Beagles are larger than their namesakes. They are not recognised by the American Kennel Club or by FCI, but the IKC does have a designation for them since 1991. They can grow up to 27kgs / 60 lbs. They are quite a rare breed in Ireland. They are often mistaken for the standard beagle.
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Irish Red Setter
Irish Red Setters are a medium to large breed of dog known for their distinctive reddish-brown coat and energetic personality. They typically weigh between 25 and 32 kilograms and stand about 56 to 61 centimeters tall at the shoulder. They are very similar to the Irish Red & White Setter, except for colouring.
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Irish Red & White Setter
Irish Red and White Setters are a medium to large breed of dog known for their distinctive red and white coat and energetic personality. They typically weigh between 25 and 32 kilograms and stand about 56 to 61 centimeters tall at the shoulder.
In terms of temperament, Irish Red and White Setters are similar to Irish Red Setters in that they are friendly, outgoing, and intelligent. They are easy to train and excel in obedience and agility competitions. They also have strong hunting instincts and are often used as bird dogs.
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Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Water Spaniels are a medium-sized breed of dog known for their distinctive curly coat and energetic personality. They typically weigh between 20 and 25 kilograms and stand about 48 to 52 centimeters tall at the shoulder. They are known for their distinctive curly coat and “rat tail,” and are the largest of the spaniel breeds. This breed is not only an excellent swimmer but also has a unique, waterproof double coat, making it a superb retriever both in water and on land.
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Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier
Irish Glen of Imaal Terriers are a small to medium-sized breed of dog known for their shaggy, wheaten-colored coat and tough, energetic personality. They typically weigh between 14 and 18 kilograms and stand about 38 to 44 centimeters tall at the shoulder.
In terms of temperament, Glen of Imaal Terriers are known for their independent and energetic personality. They are intelligent and easy to train, but they can be stubborn at times and may require a firm hand. They are seeing a bit of a reassurance in breeding numbers in recent years.
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Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are a medium-sized breed of dog known for their soft, wheaten-colored coat and energetic personality. They typically weigh between 20 and 25 kilograms and stand about 45 to 50 centimeters tall at the shoulder.
In terms of temperament, Wheaten Terriers are known for their friendly, outgoing personality and their love of play. They are intelligent and easy to train, and they excel in obedience and agility competitions.
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Irish Terrier
Irish Terriers are a medium-sized breed of dog known for their wiry, red coat and energetic personality. They typically weigh between 11 and 16 kilograms and stand about 43 to 46 centimeters tall at the shoulder.
In terms of temperament, Irish Terriers are known for their fearless and energetic personality. They are intelligent and easy to train, and they excel in obedience and agility competitions. Irish Terriers are generally good with children and other pets and make excellent family pets.
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Kerry Blue Terrier
Kerry Blue Terriers are a medium to large breed of dog known for their distinctive blue-gray coat and energetic personality. They typically weigh between 20 and 25 kilograms and stand about 46 to 50 centimeters tall at the shoulder.
In terms of temperament, Kerry Blues are known for their intelligent and energetic personality. They are easy to train and excel in obedience and agility competitions. They are generally good with children and other pets and make excellent family pets. Kerry Blue Terriers are energetic and require regular exercise, and they enjoy going for long walks and runs.
