Dogs of Ireland
There are a handful dogs that originate from Ireland. Most of these breeds were either used for hunting or various farm tasks, although it was also popular for some of them to be used in badger-baiting. This is one of many dog “sports” that is now illegal in Ireland and most countries worldwide.Ireland is the home of several terrier dog breeds, including the Glen of Imaal, Soft Coated Wheaten, Irish, and Kerry Blue Terrier. The Glen of Imaal and Irish Terrier were often used for hunting smaller animals, the former being proficient with fox and badger, while the later was often used to hunt otter and water rats. The larger Kerry Blue and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers were commonly used on farms and had duties such as herding, vermin control, and guarding.
Ireland is also the home of various hunting breeds, such as the Irish Red and Red and White Setters, breeds that are often used to hunt quail, pheasant, and grouse. This is also the home of one of the rarest of the spaniel breeds, the Irish Water Spaniel. Once more common, even in the United States, this breed lost popularity to the Labrador Retriever. The last of the hunting breeds from Ireland is the Irish Wolfhound, named for its prey rather than its appearance. Believed to be an extremely old breed, it is thought these dogs were originally kept by the ancient Celts as war dogs. They were excellent at hunting wolves, and although the wolf is now extinct in Ireland, the Irish Wolfhound still thrives there.
