St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner! It’s always fun to celebrate Irish heritage, and perhaps indulge yourself in a Shamrock shake or some corned beef hash. Of course, our canine pals love celebrating the holidays with us. As it turns out, quite a few dogs are of Irish descent. A vet discusses some Irish dog breeds below.

I  rish Dog Breeds

The AKC officially recognizes eight pups that are native to Ireland. These include  Irish Water Spaniel, a liver-colored pup that loves swimming; the Irish Setter, an active, loyal field dog; and the Irish Terrier, a dog whose loyalty and bravery led to them being used as messengers in World War I. Next, we have the Kerry Blue Terrier, a great farm dog and guardian; and the larger than life Irish Wolfhound, a pup that was so impressive that they were given as gifts to Roman Consulate members back in 391 A.D. Finally, we have the adorable Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, a big, goofy cotton ball that loves life; and the Glen of Imaal Terrier, a small but high-spirited hunting dog that makes a wonderful companion.

These cute pups come in all sizes, from the small Glen of Imaal Terrier to the bigger Irish Wolfhound. One thing many of them have in common? Long coats! Some of these pups are curly, while others have waves or even straight locks.

Irish Dog Legends

Ireland, as you may know, certainly has its share of fascinating myths and legends. Dogs pop up quite frequently in some of these stories. Some of the more famous legendary pooches include the warrior poet Fionn mac Cumhaill’s dogs, Bran and Sceolan; the Cŵn Annwn or Hounds of Annwn, a pack of supernatural dogs; and Prince Llewellyn’s loyal hound, Gelert.

Celebrating With Fido

Is your canine buddy an Irish pup? Get into the spirit of the holiday, and give Fido something special. Corned beef is too salty for Man’s Best Friend, but some regular beef isn’t inappropriate, given that it’s a special occasion. Or, just snap some photos of your furry best buddy with something green and festive. Of course, no matter how you celebrate, don’t give your pooch any alcohol!

Do you have questions about your pup’s health or care? Contact us, your veterinary clinic, toda y!