1. Harrier
2. Hungarian Vizsla
3. Ibizan Hound
4. Irish Setter refer to Irish Setter Dog Breed Page (open new window)
5. Irish Water Spaniel
6. Irish Wolfhound
7. Japanese Akita

Harrier

History and origin: The Harrier is an ancient British breed to which the first pack was recorded in 1260. The word "Harrier" is Norman French for "hunting dogs," and at one time all hunting dogs in Britain were known as Harriers. This breed was bred to hunt foxes and rabbits and has traditionally been used in packs.

Description: The Harrier stands 19 to 21 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 40 and 55 pounds. He has a strong, athletic body similar to that of the English and American Foxhounds, but smaller. The shedding coat is short, stiff, and only requires regular brushing with a hound glove. The color is a combination of black, white, and tan.

About the breed: The Harrier is a hardy, lively dog with a strong built and a first-rate hunter. He bears some similarity to the Beagle but more closely resembles the Foxhound. This hunting breed has a high energy level that makes him a difficult house pet. He needs to hunt. Though initially suspicious of strangers, the Harrier does not have the potential for non-thinking aggression that is sometimes seen in Bloodhounds and Coonhounds. He is typically good with his family, but may need to be watched with small children, who could be knocked down and injured during play. This breed is easily distracted by scent; this can present a major challenge in training. Obedience training should start early; the "Come" command is the toughest for this breed to learn. The Harrier needs a great deal of exercise and will become restless and destructive without it. He is noisy and may bark and dig if left in the yard for too long.

Feeding: Similar to the Foxhound, recommended feeding for the Harrier is an oatmeal mash called pudding and horse flesh. Harriers are not fed the day before the hunt.

Ideal home: A Harrier should be owned by an active person, preferably a hunter. A rural environment with a fenced yard or kennel is essential. Firm leadership and plenty of exercise as well as socialization are required. The elderly and the disabled may have trouble keeping up with the energy level of this athletic breed. Older children are fine as long as no roughhousing is allowed.

Hungarian Vizsla

History and origin: Hungary's national dog, the Hungarian Vizsla is a hunting dog who first appeared in Central Europe in the 13th and 14th centuries. He was used to locate and flush birds for falconers, whose trained birds of prey would then bring the hunted birds down. The Vizsla's short coat allowed him to be used in the warmer climates of southern Hungary.

Description: The Vizsla stands 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 45 and 60 pounds. He has a short, low-maintenance shedding coat that requires regular brushing to keep it in healthy condition. The color is a rich rust. The tail is docked.

About the breed: The Vizsla is a distinguished -looking dog and one of the purest breeds in the world. He is an active, playful, happy dog who makes an excellent family pet. This is an alert hunting breed who is good at pointing and retrieving and has a personality somewhere between that of a Pointer and a spaniel. Although he is easy to train, this breed is sensitive and stubborn, a combination that makes training a challenge. Also, similar to the Pointer, the Vizsla can be easily distracted by scent and may choose to ignore your commands if he smells something worth looking for. He can be timid around strangers and so must be socialized early on. He is usually fine with other dogs and with children, so long as no roughhousing occurs.

Some Vizslas can be hard to housebreak and can be submissive wetters. The Vizsla needs early obedience training to overcome a tendency toward nonthinking hyperactivity. The "Come" command is especially important, as it is with any breed with strong scenting ability. Due to his sensitive yet stubborn nature, the training must be firm but never harsh. Daily exercise is mandatory; without it, this breed will become restless and destructive. His lean, muscular body makes him the perfect jogging partner. Any kind of retrieving, field, or agility work will help direct this active breed's energy.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: The Vizsla needs to live in a house with a fenced yard and does not do well in the apartment. He needs daily exercise and perhaps a job such as hunting, retrieving, or agility work. A hunter or jogger would enjoy this dog. Cold climates are not the best for this short-coated breed. Children are fine as long as they do not roughhouse. The owner of a Vizsla must be patient yet firm, and must enjoy a dog with boundless energy. Harsh training techniques will ruin the dog. A Vizsla owner must have time to train and socialize this breed, which can be destructive and noisy if left alone for long periods. The elderly and disabled should avoid this active breed.

Ibizan Hound

History and origin: The Ibizan Hound was owned by the ancient pharaohs of Egypt and was drawn on rock. stone, and papyrus as early as 3000 B.C. He was a favorite among the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Romans for his ability to locate rabbits and other small game animals by sight and then run them down.

Description: The Ibizan Hound stands 22.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 40 and 50 pounds. He has a lithe, athletic body with a short, shedding coat that needs regular brushing. The coat may also be wire haired, but this is equally low maintenance. The color may be red or tan with white on the chest, forehead, and legs.

About the breed: This breed is a good gundog and also makes a wonderful house pet. He is a gentle, lithe, active sight hound with a reserved, dignified, quiet demeanor, and is not comfortable in a hectic environment. Though affectionate with his owners, he does not need or desire constant attention. The Ibizan Hound is friendlier than a Saluki or a Borzoi, however, having a temperament more similar to that of the Whippet. This breed is sensitive and easily hurts. He is a slow learner; training must proceed slowly, patiently, and with great precision. Let the dog know exactly what you want of him and make sure to take it in small steps. Overbearing methods will panic this breed. The Ibizan can be dog-aggressive and has a high prey drive toward small animals. He is wonderful with children as long as roughhousing or teasing is not permitted. Obedience training, socialization, and handling should all begin early in the dog's life. The "Come" command is the most important one for a sight hound to learn.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 - 1 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 3 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food. Raw fish and fruit is also beneficial to this breed's diet.

Ideal home: An apartment is suitable if the dog receives plenty of exercise. A quiet, predictable home is the best environment for this breed. The owner of an Ibizan Hound should be a calm, confident, patient leader who has time to socialize the dog. Nervous and overbearing persons should avoid this breed. Small animals in the home may create a problem due to this breed's high prey drive.

Irish Water Spaniel

History and origin: This is an old breed, developed in Ireland from several spaniel breeds toward the end of the 19th century. The Irish Water Spaniel, though capable of flushing birds like other spaniels, was actually bred to excel as a water retriever.

Description: The Irish Water Spaniel is the largest of the spaniels, standing between 21 and 24 inches at the shoulder and weighing 45 to 65 pounds. He has a strong physique and a dense, curly, water-resistant coat with minimal shedding. Daily brushing and weekly combing is required, as well as periodic clipping. This agile breed is known for his topknot of curls and his rat-like tail. The coat is liver-colored.

About the breed: The Irish Water Spaniel is an excellent water dog and retriever. He is beautiful, loyal, brave, and intelligent. He is also a very active and precocious dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is curious and expressive, active, somewhat stubborn, and independent. He is very affectionate and loving toward his owner, though he is suspicious of strangers and can be aggressive toward other dogs. Irish Water Spaniels tend to be very good watch dogs. Socialization and obedience training need to begin at an early age. This breed loves to work and needs to be given some duties to do, whether it is field work, tracking, obedience, or agility. He does not exhibit the possessive aggressive problems seen in some other spaniels. Irish Water Spaniels can be susceptible to hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Irish Water Spaniel is 1-1 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal parts or 3 cupfuls of a complete, dry food.

Ideal home: A house with a fenced yard is preferable, though he can adapt to apartment living as long as he is given plenty of exercise. These dogs need strong leadership from early on, otherwise, they will walk all over a spoiling, weak leader. They should be socialized with people and dogs from puppy hood. The Irish Water Spaniel is usually safe with children, provided no roughhousing occurs. This is a breed that needs to be given something to do or he will become restless. The elderly and the disabled might have trouble keeping up with this active breed.

Irish Wolfhound

History and origin: The national dog of Ireland, the Irish Wolfhound was used as a hunter of wolf and elk and may have existed as far back as the Roman times. Though considered a sight hound, the Irish Wolfhound was bred to have excellent scenting ability as well.

Description: The Irish Wolfhound stands 30 to 34 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 100 and 125 pounds. He has a statuesque, muscular body and a rough, weather-resistant shedding coat that requires only periodic brushing. The color may be gray, fawn, brindle, red, white, or black.

About the breed: This gentle giant is loyal, friendly, great with children, a wonderful house dog, and a magnificent show dog. The Irish Wolfhound is quiet, gentle, and often on the timid side, but fierce when provoked. He needs at least two years to mature physically and emotionally. Similar to the other sight hounds, this breed is quiet and calm in the home, but because of his size he requires a house with a large fenced yard. Keep in mind that this breed can easily jump a six-foot fence. The Irish Wolfhound is a bit stubborn, learns slowly, and has a mind of his own. Use patience, and expect the training to take a bit longer than it would with other breeds. A positive attitude and lots of confidence-building are needed. Overbearing training methods will panic this sensitive giant. Be patient and precise. Though usually friendly, this breed, given his great size, could easily hurt a child while playing. Initially suspicious of strangers, the Irish Wolfhound can also be aggressive toward dogs and small animals. Socialization, training, and handling must begin early. Irish Wolfhounds can be susceptible to bloat and hip dysplasia, and on average live only eight to ten years. To help prevent bloat, a life-threatening gaseous torsion of the stomach, break up feedings into smaller portions, and soak the food in warm water for ten minutes before feeding.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Irish Wolfhound is at least 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete dry dog food.

Ideal home: A quiet, predictable home with a fenced yard and no young children is best. The owner must be a patient, calm leader with no overbearing tendencies. Regular exercise must be provided, along with training, socialization, and handling. The owner must have time available for this. The elderly and the disabled should avoid this breed because of his great size. The owner must also be able to afford the large quantities of food this breed will consume.

Japanese Akita

History and origin: The Japanese Akita was named after the Akita province in Japan on the island of Honshu. This breed was initially developed as a versatile hunting dog with power, size, a good sense of smell, insulation against the cold, and a dominant, aggressive nature that enabled him to deal with bears,deer, and wild boars. Over the centuries the Akita came to be revered as a noble breed and a spiritual symbol of loyalty and beauty.

Description: The Akita stands 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 80 and 110 pounds. He is thick-boned and has a large, powerful body. The harsh, shedding coat is of medium length with a thick, dense undercoat. This breed sheds year-round and requires daily brushing. Colors include white, brindle, white with tan patches, and other combinations.

About the breed: This is an intelligent, strong, athletic, personable breed that is extremely faithful and affectionate to his owners. Although the Akita is usually easygoing in the home, he may exhibit marked territorial instincts, showing a reserved, suspicious nature with strangers. This dog will constantly contend for the dominant position and will use his body and mouth to exert control over those in the family who have not yet established dominance. Aggression toward family members is common when leadership is not established. Do not roughhouse with this breed. He can be very dog-aggressive and has a high prey drive toward small animals. This breed may not do well with small children. Obedience training, socialization, and handling must start early and must be firm, precise, and patient. He is very stubborn and may occasionally throw a tantrum when resisting.

The Akita is one of the more difficult breeds to train. Both sexes are susceptible to urinary tract infections when young and are hard to housebreak. They can also be prone to hip dysplasia. If you decide on a male, have him neutered by the seventh or eighth month. This will make training easier, will reduce aggression and dominance problems, and can prevent marking in the house. Do not buy litter mates, they will bond more closely to each other than to you, making control a major issue. They will also exhibit more territorial aggression. This breed loves cold weather and likes to play in the snow. Do not get one if you live in a warm climate. Avoid jogging with this breed, as he is big-boned and heavy and might develop arthritis later in life.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Japanese Akita is 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: The Japanese Akita needs a house with a fenced yard. The owner of this breed must be a natural leader and should desire an affectionate, independent dog that will be a challenge. Overbearing, submissive, nervous, and cautious people should avoid this breed, as should those with small children. The owner must be up to the physical challenge as well, as these dogs are very large and powerful. Because of this, he is not recommended to the elderly and the disabled. The owner of an Akita must find the time to train, socialize, handle, and groom the breed and must not keep him exclusively in the yard, where he will become noisy, territorial, and destructive.