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

Irish Dog Breeds

The AKC officially recognizes eight different breeds that are native to Ireland. These include the Irish Setter, an active, loyal field dog; the Irish Water Spaniel, a liver-colored pooch that loves swimming; and the Irish Terrier, a dog whose loyalty and bravery led to them being used as messengers during World War I. Next, we have the Kerry Blue Terrier, a wonderful farm dog and guardian; and the stout 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 adorable Glen of Imaal Terrier, a small but high-spirited hunting dog that makes a wonderful companion.

T  hese cute dogs come in all sizes, from the little Glen of Imaal Terrier to the bigger Irish Wolfhound. One thing that many of them have in common? Long fur! Some of these pups are curly, while others have wavy coats or even straight locks.

Irish Dog Legends

Ireland, as you may know, has many fascinating myths and legends. Our canine pals pop up quite frequently in some of these tales. Some of the more famous legendary pups include Bran and Sceolan, the warrior poet Fionn mac Cumhaill’s dogs; the Cŵn Annwn or Hounds of Annwn, a pack of supernatural dogs; and Prince Llewellyn’s hound, Gelert.

Celebrating With Fido

Do you have one of these pooches? Get into the spirit of the holiday, and give Fido something special as a treat. Corned beef is too salty for your pet, but some regular beef isn’t inappropriate, given that it’s a special occasion. A Shamrock shake also isn’t good for dogs, but you can make your furry friend something with a little mint in it. Or, just snap some photos of your pup 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 local veterinary clinic, today.