Thursday, March 17, 2016

St. Paddy's Day




Happy St. Patrick’s Day.  The day they say everyone is Irish.  Unless you are a Polish Lowland Sheepdog.   I’m always Polish.



So today will be a holiday for some, and in some places people will be drinking green beer.  Humans are just so strange.



So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, it seems we should take a minute to recognize the Irish Dog breeds.  So here are a few trivia questions about the dogs of the Emerald Isle:





1.     This is the tallest dog breed in the world. Although known as a gentle giant, this breed was once used as a war dog who dragged men off horseback or from chariots.



2.     One of the oldest spaniels – this dog has a curly coat.  They are fairly rare.



3.     This member of the Sporting Group has a rich mahogany colored coat. 



4.     Thought to be among the oldest terriers, it is loyal, adaptable and spunky.



5.     This medium sized terrier has a golden wheat colored coat.  They are athletic dogs,  and can be great family dogs.



6.     This working terrier is a hardy tough dog, whose original job was to dig into burrows and hunt badgers.  Unlike many other terriers, it is not considered to be a “barker.”



7.     This athletic cobalt colored terrier was originally bred as a farm dog.  They are energetic and athletic and make great pets.



8.     This sporting dog is very old, even older than their mahogany cousin, yet nearly became extinct.  It wasn’t until the 1970s that a strong effort was made to revive this breed.





And here are your answers:



1.     Irish Wolfhound

2.     Irish Water Spaniel

3.     Irish Setter

4.     Irish Terrier

5.     Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier

6.     Glen of Imaal Terrier

7.     Kerry Blue Terrier

8.     Irish Red and White Setter



How did you do?  At one point, years ago, pre-PON, my human actually thought about getting a Glen of Imaal Terrier.  When the breeder asked her what she wanted to do with the dog, my human mentioned obedience.  The breeder said “get a different breed.”   So THAT was that. I guess those Irish guys can be even more stubborn than us Polish guys!



Anyway, I hope you have a lucky, rainbow-filled, pot-of-gold kind of day! Sláinte!




©  Linda Wozniak

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