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2016’s Most Popular Irish Dog Names for St. Patty’s Day

Diana Faria
by Diana Faria
Published:  March 16th, 2016
May the luck of the Irish be with you…and your dog! Here are some fast facts about the most popular Irish dog breeds and names, plus a brief history lesson about where it all began.

Top of the mornin’ to ya! In the spirit of the greenest day of the year, Rover.com compiled a grand list of Irish-themed names and breeds for St. Patrick’s Day, along with some other fun facts about this oh-so-celebrated day.


Let’s start with where it all started: Ireland, of course! St. Patrick’s day (not unlike Valentine’s day) celebrates a religious figure in history, in this case a Roman Catholic saint. He is none other than Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who died on March 17, 461 A.D. The shamrock has been said to be instrumental back in Saint Patrick’s day to explain parts of the Roman Catholic religion to pagans, and the color green has been associated with Irish history since 1640, when the green harp flag was introduced as Ireland’s unofficial flag.


It is no wonder then, in Ireland, an amazing 85.7 percent of Irish bred-dogs are more likely to sport an Irish name than other dogs. The most popular Irish breeds in the U.S. are the Soft-coated Wheaten terrier, Irish setter, Irish terrier, Glen of Imaal terrier and the Kerry blue terrier.


In the United States, the city with the highest concentration of Irish dog breeds is in Providence, Rhode Island, despite it ranking only 5th nationwide for human Irish residents. This means that those who are of non-Irish decent also appreciate these delightful Irish breeds. What’s not to love?! If you’ve never taken a look at a Glen of Imaal terrier, take a minute to google it- they are absolutely adorable. It’s okay, go ahead – we’ll wait!


If you have an Irish last name, you may be compelled to name your dog something Irish as well! In fact, dog owners with Irish last names are almost 15 percent more likely to give their dogs Irish names versus owners without last names from the Emerald Isle.


Speaking of Irish names, let’s get right into it! Top luck-themed names for dogs are Gold, Clover, Dice, Fortune and taking the top spot is, of course, Lucky! Lucky also happens to be the only luck-themed name that stayed on this list year-over-year. The top dog names that have to do with Irish food and drink are Bailey, Guinness, Stew, Jameson and Shepard, with North Carolina having the most dogs named after Irish food and drinks.


Related: Top 10 Irish Dog Breeds


If you’re not a fan of these names, but would still love to name your pooch something green, we have a few suggestions. Cash is the most popular green dog name followed by Pickle, Clover, Kiwi and, yup, even Kale. Speaking of food, you may want to let Fido in on some of the festivities by giving him some typical Irish food. While beer, corned beef and onions are a definite no-no, carrots, cooked potatoes and peas are given the green light (we couldn’t resist a pun here and there).


You may also want to name your dog after a popular Irish celebrity! Murray takes the top spot (after the famous Bill Murray), followed by Liam (Liam Neeson), Peter (Peter O’Toole), Graham (Graham Norton) and Bono (from U2).


Did the luck of the Irish inspire your dog’s name? See if it’s on the list by clicking on the infographic above. If they missed one, put your dog’s Irish-inspired name in the comment section below!

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Diana Faria
Diana Faria

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Study Confirms Dogs Prefer Food Over Toys

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Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

When it comes to eating, most dogs will eat just about anything – in fact, if it’s something that’s forbidden for them to eat or something that they really shouldn’t be munching on, their appetite only seems to increase. And unfortunately, that also includes poop. While it is definitely disgusting to see, it actually has a lot of science behind it. The behavior is called  coprophagia, and it is influenced by a lot of major factors. Getting to know them can help you better understand this odd behavior, and help you act accordingly. So let’s learn all about dogs and poop-eating.Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?Believe it or not, eating poop is a fairly common behavior in dogs. In fact, recent studies reveal that it is  in a dog’s DNA to eat poop. It isn’t, however, a behavior that should be ignored completely. Because it can give you insights into the health and mentality of your four-legged friend. If you spot your pet munching on the forbidden fudge, it could signal a major nutritional deficiency. So, basically, if a dog is lacking certain nutrients in their diet, they may seek to fulfill those needs by eating feces. Of course, it can also signal underlying medical issues. It is known that some medical conditions can lead to coprophagia, such as malabsorption disorders or  parasites. Coprophagia can also sometimes stem from behavioral issues, such as stress, anxiety, or boredom. Dogs may resort to eating poop as a way to cope with these feelings or out of sheer boredom. It can also come from simple attention-seeking. Yup, your dog can eat feces as a way to gain attention, especially if they've received a strong reaction from their owners in the past. And, if you notice that your doggo is nibbling on poop in the park or on the street, they could be attracted to the scent. The scent of feces attracts some dogs, especially if it's from another animal. Of course, neglect can also be a viable cause. Dogs that are confined in tight spaces or cages can exhibit unnatural behaviors, such as excessive eating of poop. It can also stem from anxiety, fear, isolation, or from problems related to diet. Either way, it is essential to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues and to address any behavioral concerns. Of course, ensuring your dog has a balanced diet, plenty of physical and mental stimulation, and positive reinforcement training can help deter this behavior. It can also be wise to supplement your dog’s diet with  quality multivitamins, which can balance their nutritional needs and prevent poop-eating. 

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One-year deadline imposed by the US National Park Service to shift almost 200 cats from 16th-century El Morro fortress.

Homeless Man Rescues a Litter of Orphaned Puppies During a Storm

An anonymous homeless man has become an internet sensation after rescuing a litter of puppies and taking them to the shelter during a storm. In the wake of a recent storm, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society in North Carolina discovered that a nameless man had dropped off a litter of five puppies at the shelter’s door. The puppies, estimated to be less than two months old, were left with a touching note. “The note was from a kind soul, a homeless man who, despite his own hardships, took it upon himself to rescue these innocent lives after their mother, a local stray he cared for, tragically passed away,” share the shelter in a Facebook post. The shelter also posted pictures of the note left by the homeless man, who apologized for not being able to care for the puppies himself. “Please help,” he wrote. “I found these puppies sadly after noticing a local stray dog that I would often feed when I could, dead by the road. She had been hit by a car.” The man added that he knew she had a litter of puppies nearby and that he searched the area for them, so they wouldn’t starve and freeze to death waiting for their mom to return. “I’m sorry for leaving them like this, but I myself am homeless and cannot afford to care for them,” the man explained. “My heart shatters for them and their mother. I just want them to be given the chance their mother, like myself, was never given.”“Please do not think poorly of me, but it felt wrong leaving them alone in the cold waiting on a mother that would not be coming home. Sincerely, the nameless man.” Touched by this selfless act of kindness, the shelter thanked the nameless man, saying that his good deed hadn’t gone unnoticed. The shelter promised to honor this selfless gesture by ensuring these puppies get all the love and care they deserve. “Your empathy in the face of adversity gives us hope and inspiration,” the shelter wrote. The staff invited the man to come by the shelter to visit the puppies and get a proper thank you. So far, the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society has not heard from the man but noted that many people have offered to help him get back on his feet if he comes forward. To acknowledge the lucky circumstances of their rescue, the shelter named the puppies Chance, Kismet, Serendipity, Fortun, and Fate. The puppies were extremely malnourished and small when they were rescued, so the shelter couldn’t yet determine their breed.“We are guessing they are lab mixes and will grow to be about 30 to 40 pounds, but again that’s a guess,” said the shelter. According to the shelter, the applications to adopt these cute puppies will open on February 1. The organization explained that they will only consider applicants from Cumberland County, North Carolina because the puppies are going home on a foster-to-adopt basis until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered. In the meantime, the organization is accepting donations and has a wish list available for anyone willing to assist in caring for these puppies. “Unfortunately, we still don’t have any updates about the kind man who brought these puppies to us. While the puppies have names now, their rescuer remains unknown. We continue to hope he’ll come forward,” the shelter wrote. “Thank you for your continued support and love for these animals. Together we’re making a difference in their lives one puppy at a time.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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