The Irish Setter is a high-spirited gundog known for grace, swiftness, and a flashy red coat. They are famously good family dogs: sweet-tempered companions for the folks, and rollicking playmates and tennis-ball fetchers for the children.

The calm, dignified, and kindly Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of all AKC breeds. Once fearless big-game hunters capable of dispatching a wolf in single combat, Wolfhounds today are the most serene and agreeable of companions.

The tallest of the AKC’s spaniels, the Irish Water Spaniel is instantly recognizable by its crisply curled coat and tapering “rat tail.” Among the champion swimmers of dogdom, the alert and inquisitive IWS is hardworking and brave in the field, and playfully affectionate at home.

The Irish Terrier, “Daredevil” of the Emerald Isle, is a bold, dashing, and courageous terrier of medium size. Known for his fiery red coat and a temperament to match, the Irish Terrier is stouthearted at work and tenderhearted at home.

The rollicking Irish Red and White Setter is an athletic medium-sized bird dog bred primarily for hunting. Fun-loving, friendly, and high-spirited, Irish Red and Whites are a bit shorter and stockier than their cousin the Irish Setter.

AKD 1.22 Irish Setter Club of America collection 1860-1991 7 linear ft in 17 boxes Processed by Norma Rosado-Blake, 2009; Additions and edits by Brynn White, 2016.   Click here to the view complete inventory and/or to search all AKC archival collections Click here for a printable PDF of the collection guide   The Irish Setter Club of America [...]

Here are 7 Irish Setter facts, which are interesting things to know about this beautiful breed.

The nation's top puppies — 1,395 of them to be exact — gathered in Orlando, Florida to compete for the title of AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy of the Year. The AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes event, held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, is open to all [...]

14-year-old junior handler Adam Kucera and 2-year-old Irish Setter "Stryker" already have some impressive titles under their belt, including NOHS BIS.

GCHS CH Bramblebush Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, an Irish Setter known as “Declan,” was named Best in Show at the December 17 AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals. Judge Dominic Palleschi Carota awarded the crown to the dog during the event, held during the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida [...]

From tenacious terriers to stunning sighthounds, learn more about the 8 AKC-recognized Irish dog breeds that hail from the Emerald Isle.

There is such a thing as being too good at your job. Just ask the Irish Wolfhound. As far back as Roman times, there were accounts of large Greyhound-like dogs in Ireland – called cú faoil in ancient Gaelic – revered for their size and ferocity. Some Irish chieftains and warriors even grafted the word cú onto [...]

Are you considering getting an Irish Wolfhound puppy? If so, it’s certainly understandable. These sweet-tempered creatures have beguiled us since ancient times. Originally bred as fearless big-game hunters capable of dispatching a wolf in single combat, Wolfhounds today are the most serene and agreeable of companions for owners of all ages. But, with [...]

The Irish Wolfhound is the gentle giant - the largest dog breed. Learn more about the breed with these Irish Wolfhound fun facts.

Header photo courtesy of Christina Phillips, AKC Breeder of Merit The Irish Red and White Setter is not as well known as his dazzling cousin, the Irish Setter, with only about 500 dogs in North America. Even in Ireland, the breed nearly went extinct during World War I. It took the dedication of a handful of [...]

The Irish Wolfhound is an ancient and giant breed. These tall, muscular dogs can weigh as much as 180 pounds and can stand as tall as seven feet when up on their hind legs. They have a strong instinct to hunt, which makes them a wonderful candidate for AKC sports like tracking, agility, and lure coursing [...]

Are you searching for the perfect name for a new dog? In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve compiled a list of Irish names, along with their meanings. You don’t have to be Irish to give your dog one of these names; you can choose one that’s descriptive of your dog [...]

An Irish Wolfhound in Westerlo, Belgium is now officially the proud holder of a Guinness World Record. The dog, named Keon, holds the record for the "longest tail on a dog." How long is his tail? 30.2 inches (or 2 feet and 6.2 inches). Not only is this an amazingly long tail, but it's also a total [...]

No matter what war they serve in, returning soldiers often come home to find the place they left very much changed. There are the sad discoveries of parents who pass. Sweethearts who stray. And, in the case of dog lovers, beloved breeds that are no more. The decimation of dog breeds during wartime comes down [...]

Two of the largest dog breeds in the world – and both sighthounds with wiry coats – it's no wonder that people often confused the Irish Wolfhound (IW) and the Scottish Deerhound (Deerhound). Although these two members of the Hound Group may have similarities on the surface, the truth is there are several qualities that make each [...]

The story of “Woodbine, the Pandemic Puppy” starts with Christmas 2019 when James Canavan surprised his wife, Breedette Hayes, with a gift book, “The Curious History of Irish Dogs,” by David Blake Knox. “We live in New York City but are originally from Ireland, so we were keen to learn more about native breeds,” says Canavan [...]

Ashwood She's Like The Wind, an Irish Setter known as “Windy” triumphed over 1,395 dogs ages six months to 18 months to become the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy of the Year, held today in Orlando, Fla in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. “Windy,” owned by Genea White Jones & Laura [...]

The AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHS CH Bramblebush Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, an Irish Setter known affectionately as “Declan” owned and handled by Cheryl L Stiehl DVM and bred by Cheryl L Stiehl DVM & Craig Larson. The 2022 NOHS Finals Best in Show winner was [...]

AKC spokesperson Gina Lash appeared live on the Today Show earlier today to celebrate the many dog breeds which hail from Ireland: the Irish Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and the Irish Red & White Setter. Watch the segment. Following the Today segment, the dogs [...]

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day on Monday, March 17th, 2003 the American Kennel Club celebrates seven purebred dogs of Irish heritage. Additional information including the full breed standards, links to Parent Club web sites and video clips of each breed, is available on this site.   The Glen of Imaal Terrier - "There is a [...]

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 17th, the American Kennel Club celebrates seven purebred dogs of Irish heritage that are AKC registrable or are in the AKC miscellaneous class. Additional information, including the full breed standards, links to Parent Club web sites and video clips of each breed, is available a [...]

AKC Celebrates 125th Anniversary and Tips its Hat to Two Irish Breeds That Were Among the First Recognized In honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) celebrates the loveable breeds of Irish descent. Notable Irish breeds include the Irish Red & White Setter which was welcomed into the [...]

"A dog owns nothing, yet is seldom dissatisfied."-Irish Proverb New York -- It's no surprise that Ireland has produced many immortal writers, poets and musicians, but did you know there are several dog breeds that hail from the Emerald Isle? In honor of St. Patrick's Day on March 17th, the American Kennel Club® celebrates [...]

"As the big hound is, so will the pup be."-- Irish Proverb New York -- It’s no surprise that Ireland has produced many immortal writers, poets and musicians, but did you know there are several dog breeds that hail from the Emerald Isle? In honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th [...]

by Elissa Kirkegard Ch. Realta's Galileo CD TD SH MHU QAA CGC (IWSCA ALL AROUND RETRIEVER AND IWSCA WCX) Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks? Nine year old veteran retriever and hunting dog, Gali, owned and handled by Elissa Kirkegard, took to the spaniel hunt test game with gusto. This is the [...]