Erin Go Bark: The Most Popular Irish Dog Breeds and Names

In celebration of St. Pawtrick’s — er, Patrick’s — Day, here are the most popular Irish dog breeds and names in the United States.

No matter what breed or mix of breeds your dog happens to be, have a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day. And let’s hope every homeless dog has the luck of the Irish and finds a forever family!

Top 5 Irish Dog Breeds

According to the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2022, these are the Irish breeds that made the list:

1. Irish Setter (71 on the list)
2. Irish Wolfhound (89; 85 in 2021)
3. Irish Terrier (131; 124 in 2021)
4. Irish Red and White Setter (168; 154 in 2021)
5. Irish Water Spaniel (183; 165 in 2021)

Top 5 St. Patrick’s Day-Inspired Dog Names

Back in 2015, the pet insurance provider VPI (now Nationwide) listed the most popular Irish-inspired pet names, based on its database of more than 525,000 insured pets.

These were the top 5 names:

1. Lucky
2. Seamus
3. Clover
4. Patrick
5. Shamrock

The most popular name for Irish Wolfhounds was Finnegan, VPI noted. Dublin, after the capital of Ireland, and Jameson, a famous Irish whiskey, were also popular names.

And if you want to give your new four-legged family member an Irish name, the AKC offers these suggestions, among others:

• Patrick
• Clover or Shamrock
• Madigan (Gaelic for “little dog”)
• Shandy (which is beer mixed with a soft drink, ick)
• Finn or Finnegan (Gaelic for “fair one,” aww)

Top 5 Irish Beer-Inspired Dog Names

These were the most popular beer-inspired names, according to VPI:

1. Murphy
2. Guinness
3. Harp
4. Smithwick
5. O’Hara

Although it’s not on the list, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bailey, after the famous cream liqueur, is also a very popular name, sure and begorrah.

Photos: peggycadigan; frame.fusion; Kathleen Tyler Conklin; Pleple2000