If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Kennel Club figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels in the last few years.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed.
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There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
All types of dog also have a geographical history, having a country where they were first bred and developed – before spreading across the world and being recognised by kennel clubs.
Here are 9 breeds of dog that have Irish heritage.
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5. Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
Refered to in their native Ireland as 'the Poor Man's Wolfhound', the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier has been used for over two hundred years as an all-purpose working dog. They share ancestry with the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Irish Terrier. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Irish Setter
The second breed of setter first developed in Ireland is the Red Setter. Sometimes referred to as the Irish Setter, there are two distinct types - show-bred and field-bred. Each have slightly different attributes required to carry out their roles. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Kerry Beagle
A breed believed to date back to the 16th century, the Kerry Beagle was first bred to hunt stags. They were exported to the USA and used in the development of the Coonhound and American Foxhound. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Irish Wolfhound
One of the largest breeds of dog in the world (second only to the Great Dane) the Irish Wolfhound was developed in the late 19th century by Captain George Augustus Graham. His aim was to recreate the extinct wolfhounds of Ireland, which were used to hunt of wolves. Photo: Canva/Getty Images