Essays and Such
Irish Cultural Society
of San Antonio Texas
Promoting Awareness of Irish Culture
DOGS OF IRELAND
by Janes Fitzsimon
Ancestry of Five Recognized Dog Breeds
DOGS OF IRELAND
Ireland holds the ancestry of five dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Many of these breeds are among the oldest known. Dublin was the center of the dog show world for most of the 1800's when many breed clubs were becoming well-established. The most popular breeds shown there would go on to English and Scottish shows, later to America. The New World proved to be a catalyst, many breeds gaining national acceptance and widespread popularity both as family pets and sporting dogs. THE IRISH WOLFHOUND - Hunting elk with your master, a noble king of Erin, you rurun with ease through the thick and ancient forest of beech and hickory so common two thousand years ago. You are the tallest of all cainine breeds - the Irish Wolfhound, Due to its adoration of the ancient Irish kings and queens, the breed is frequently mentioned in poems and stories. Only kings, poets and noblemen were allowed to own the breed, which was frequently given as gifts. Oliver Cromwell was forced to prohibit their export from the British Isles because the hounds were becoming rare and were needed to hunt wolves that were common in England at the time. The Irish Wolfhound has a breed standard of standing 32 inches at the shoulder. Add 8 to 10 more inches for the massive head and you have a dog that gives a commanding presence. At 105 to 120 lbs., the wolfhound weighs more than many ICSSA members! THE IRISH WATER SPANIEL - Another very old breed, the Water Spaniel is a descendant of Portuguese water dogs and spaniel root stock that came over to Ireland via the Iberian peninsula when natives of that country made raids to Ireland. Its lineage dates back, to as far as the 7th century. At one time, they were the most popular of spaniels, but now the Labrador Retreiver and Golden Labradors have taken over. The 'breed has great swimming abilities which make it a valuable gun dog, able to work in various terrains to retrieve game. Its trademark is a short rattail which acts as a rudder while swimming. THE IRISH SETTER - The solid, deep red of the Irish Setter is a fairly new variation of the breed which started off as a red and white dog up until the 19th century. They are a descendant of old Irish spaniel breeds -mixed with the Gordon, English, Water and Springer Spaniel as well as the pointer. The Irish Setter is treasured worldwide by sportsmen who enjoy strenuous hunting and have the stamina to follow its relentless pace. Previously, its beauty as a show dog was overvalued at the expense of its importance as a hunting dog. Today, the balance has been redressed among enthusiasts who recognize its dual role as a field and showdog. THE KERRY BLUE TERRIER - The "blue" is the breeders vernacular for gray. Born black, the adult dog's fur ends up a dark blue. For 150 years, the breed was predominately found in the mountains of Lake Killarney in Countv Kerry, used to hunt small game and birds and to herd sheep and cattle. The Kerry Blue is extremely intelligent.and tractable. For a terrier they are large, 33--40 lbs and require very strict grooming standards for the show ring. THE IRISH TERRIER - there is some debate over their exact history' but it is thought to be derived from the Scotisli Terrier, possibly Black and Tin Terrier, and the Irish Wolfhound, They were originally used to hunt woodchuck, rats and badgers among the hedgerows. They became a familiar site at the "potato pit", guarding the onetime Irish staple diet against a marauding family pig. The dense, wiry coat is yellow to a red or wheaten color with the usual white patch on the chest, The Irish Terrier normilly weighs in about 18 lbs. James Fitzsimon References: Reader's Digest Book of Dogs, Encarta Encyclopedia, Book of All Terriers This article is dedicated to "PJ" and "Mamadog"- Loving canine companions who recently left this earth but never our hearts. ALSO SEE