Ireland is known for its broad range of cultural heritage but for us at tails.com, our favourite thing about the Emerald Isle is its variety of dog breeds. The Irish word for dog is ‘madra’ and here are the 9 madraí that call Ireland their home.
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Name: Irish Red and White Setter
Known for: Friendly attitude and determination
Originally bred as: Gun dogs
Did You Know:
Despite not being recognised by the American Kennel Club until 2009, the Red and White Setter is the older of the two Irish setters. The breed almost became extinct but survived thanks to the efforts of an early 20th-century Irish clergyman, and the breed’s planned revival began in 1970. A keen, intelligent and aristocratic breed, the Red and White Setter makes a loyal and reliable companion.
Name: Irish Red Setter
Known for: Sleek and elegant auburn coat
Originally bred as: Working dogs for hunting game
Did You Know:
Perhaps one of the most commonly known Irish breeds, the Irish Red Setter has a distinct rich chestnut coloured coat. The breed developed from the Irish Red and White setter and was recognised by the Kennel Club in the 18th century. The breed’s intelligence and stamina makes for excellent working ability.
Name: Glen of Imaal Terrier
Known for: Its ability to withstand hard farm work
Originally bred as: General-purpose farm dogs for herding and family companionship and to control vermin
Did You Know:
The Glen of Imaal Terrier had to evolve through generations of hard work to become the sturdy dog we know today, due to the local farmers’ need for a strong dog to help manage harsh terrain during the 16th and 17th centuries. In modern times, they display typical terrier traits and harbour deep affection and high enthusiasm for their families.
Name: Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Known for: Their playful personalities
Originally bred as: All-purpose farm dogs
Did You Know:
Often known as the “Poor Man’s Wolfhound” in Ireland, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier shares ancestry with the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Irish Terrier. These dogs have a single coat which sheds very little hair, meaning that they can be easily tolerated by people who are allergic to dog hair. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an energetic and playful dog with high intelligence and a headstrong terrier nature.
Name: Irish Terrier
Known for: Being one of the oldest terrier breeds
Originally bred as: Vermin control
Did You Know:
The Irish Terrier is a remarkably loyal and good-tempered companion to their family, but if under threat, will respond with courageous determination. The Irish Terrier is easily trained and a loyal, gentle pet who lives up to an Irish writer’s description of them as “the poor man’s sentinel, the farmer’s friend and the gentleman’s favourite.”
Name: Irish Water Spaniel
Known for: Its waterproof coat and rat-like tail
Originally bred as: Retriever of waterfowl
Did You Know:
It’s thought that the Irish Water Spaniel evolved from dogs who originated in Persia, and journeyed to Ireland via Spain. Irish Water Spaniels have a mop of long, loose curls on top of their head, a ‘beard’ and a curly coat. In Irish folklore, the breed is believed to be the descendant of the Dobhar-chú, a mythical creature said to resemble both a dog and an otter.
Name: Irish Wolfhound
Known for: Being the tallest dog breed in the world
Originally bred as: Hunters of wolves and deer
Did You Know:
Written accounts of the Irish Wolfhound date back to 391 A.D. During the 15th Century, each county in Ireland was required to keep 24 wolfhounds to protect the farmers’ flocks from wolves. After the gradual disappearance of the wolf, their numbers were reduced to near extinction by the end of the 17th century, but were revived in the late 19th century due to the growth of Irish nationalism and the breed’s association as a symbol of Irish culture and Celtic history.
Name: Kerry Beagle
Known for: Being one of Ireland’s oldest breeds of dog
Originally bred as: Stag hounds
Did You Know:
According to local Irish legend, when Noah’s Ark arrived at Galtymore, the highest peak in Tipperary, the two black and tan hounds on board (thought to be the Kerry Beagle), smelled a fox and jumped off the ark to pursue it, never to be seen again. The Kerry Beagle doesn’t follow the Beagle characteristics recognised by the Kennel Club, but its ‘Beagle’ name instead is thought to derive from the Irish word ‘beag’, meaning small.
Name: Kerry Blue Terrier (Irish Blue Terrier)
Known for: Their ability to be an all-round farm dog and family dog
Originally bred as: Catchers of rats and other farm vermin
Did You Know:
A romantic Irish story speaks of a blue dog found swimming ashore from a shipwreck that mated with all the female Wheaten Terriers in Kerry, thus producing the Kerry Blue. Kerry Blue Terriers are born black, and gradually start to appear blue as they grow older. Their coats do not shed, but grow throughout the year, meaning that regular hair appointments are needed!
For more information about each breed, visit the Irish Kennel Club website.
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This entry should be corrected – the Irish Wolfhound was not revived. It went extinct and a clergyman bred other breeds together to achieve a similar – but different – dog.
That’s not entirely accurate. Yes Graham revived the breed, but he used the remaining wolfies to do it, and included other breeds as well. So it never went extinct.