Which Pets Come from Ireland?

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner.  It is the one day of the year that we all feel a little Irish.  But some animal breeds bring the luck of the Irish to the U.S. all year round.  So which pet breeds have a shamrock hidden in their paw print?

 

Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is probably the most well-known dog breed from Ireland.  It is a large breed with plenty of hair.  They are a healthy breed that can live up to ten years.  Bred for hunting and other jobs, Setters have a lot of energy and need a good amount of exercise.  Two hours a day is a good minimum.  Their long hair requires regular grooming.  Irish Setters are happiest in homes with larger yards.

 

Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier

This lesser known breed is medium-sized.  Like the Setter, they have a lengthy life-span of up to ten years.  They are not known for shedding but should be groomed fairly regularly.  More than once a week, if possible.  Their smaller stature makes the Irish Glen a perfect breed for someone with a medium or small sized home.  These little giants were bred in a harsh terrain so this is a powerful pup in a small package.

 

Irish Red and White Setter

The Irish Red and White is the grandfather of the Irish Setter.  Selective breeding of the Red and White created the all-red breed.  Like their grandchildren, the Irish Red and White can live up to ten years.  They are a large breed that requires a good amount of exercise, at least two hours a day.  Their coat is shorter than the Red but one should still expect some shedding.

 

Irish Wolf Hound

Large would be an understatement when describing this breed.  Males can tip the scales at 140 to 180 pounds.  Even females can weigh up to 140 pounds.  Although they have a medium-length coat, Wolf Hounds need their humans to brush them a couple of times a week.  These gentle giants need at least two hours of exercise every day.  Like most large breeds, sadly, the Wolfhound has a short lifespan of less than ten years.  Their size demands a large home with a large backyard.  The good news is that if you have a big home, there will be plenty of dog to go around.

 

We at Rover’s Recess hope everyone has a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!  Please give us a call for your pet-sitting needs and continue to follow our blog.