You may find it helpful to research dog breeds based on the alphabet they start with. In that case, you may be wondering what dog breeds start with the letter I.
Dog breeds that start with the letter I include the Irish Red and White Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Italian Greyhound, Irish Doodle, Italian Corso Dog, Ibizan Hound, Icelandic Sheepdog, and many more.
Below, we’ll cover these breeds in-depth.
Before you read this list of dog breeds that start with the letter I, check out: Black Dog Breeds with Brown Eyebrows – Top 7 Breeds! (2023) and 12 Dog Breeds That Whine a Lot! (2023).
Dog Breeds That Start With I
In this section, we’ve compiled a list of the many dog breeds that start with the letter I.
Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound is a slim and sharp ancient dog, originally bred as a rabbit courser on the rugged coastline of Spain’s Balearic Islands. Ibizans, who are known worldwide for their speed and agility, require large open areas in which to release their energy.
Students of ancient Egyptian art will be familiar with the elongated head with its prominent, perked ears. The sleek, elegant body measures 22.5″ and 27.5″ at the shoulder and might have a solid red or white coat or a red and white pattern.
The amber or caramel eyes look great with the rosy nose, eye rims, and lips. The breed’s gentle demeanor has been compared to that of a deer.
Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a small to medium-sized, social, and dependable all-purpose herder. It is the only dog breed native to Iceland. The Icelandic dog is a heavily covered Nordic Spitz breed that is extremely faithful to its humans.
There are roughly 50 northern breeds that are considered Spitzes, and the Icelandic is one of them. The breed’s “Spitziness” is manifested in physical characteristics such as a thick coat, a foxy face, pointy ears, and a thick, curled tail.
The average Icelandic is under 18 inches tall at the shoulder, putting them in the small to medium size range. There are a variety of different primary colors, and white marks are always present. One endearing quality is their face, which always looks as if they couldn’t be happier to be in your company.
Irish Red and White Setter
The lively Irish Red and White Setter is a medium-sized bird dog specifically bred for its athleticism and cheerful personality. Although they share many traits with their distantly related Irish Setter cousins, Irish Red and White Setters are smaller and stockier.
The sight of a majestic Setter standing on point as still as a statue is thrilling. You can count on these medium-to-large bird dogs to succeed. They are strong, sturdy, muscular, and have excellent bird sense.
Hunters can recognize their dog from a distance thanks to the distinctive coat, which features bright red spots set against a background of pearl white. The gorgeous face gives off an alert but friendly vibe.
Irish Setter
A graceful and speedy gundog with a striking red coat, the Irish Setter is a favorite among dog lovers everywhere. They have a well-deserved reputation as excellent family dogs, making gentle companions for adults while also providing energetic companionship for kids with tennis balls.
Many people consider the Irish Setter to be the most attractive dog. It has a magnificent mahogany or chestnut coat and stands almost two feet at the shoulder. The sporting dog has long, lean legs and a strong rear drive, making it one of the fastest breeds of dog.
The Irish Setter’s friendly nature has made it a popular pet. These fiery-haired dogs are still huge kids at heart, but they are willing to learn and will take well to gentle, positive training. They are courageous and tough hunting partners who take a carefree attitude toward the work that they do.
Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier, also known as the Daredevil of the Emerald Isle, is a medium-sized terrier known for its bravado and bravery. It has a reputation for having a blazing red coat and an equally fiery attitude. The Irish Terrier is a classic example of a terrier with long legs.
They stand about 18 inches tall at the shoulder and are elegant and graceful despite their strength. Every one of the body’s contours is striking, and every single thing is artistically composed. The temperament of this breed matches the intensity of its tight red coat. Irish Terriers are a dog owner’s dream.
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel stands out thanks to its tightly curled appearance coat and rat-like tail.
This intelligent and inquisitive breed is one of the top swimmers, known for diligence and bravery in the water as well as their fun and friendly nature at home.
The Irish Water Spaniel, which stands between 21 and 24 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 55 and 65 pounds, falls in the middle of the medium and large categories.
Its distinctive features include a liver-colored, waterproof coat that is tightly curled, a tapered rat tail, and a chiseled, domed head that is topped with a topknot of long, loose curls. The Irish Water Spaniel has a comfortable, ground-covering gait that allows him to work all day.
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of the AKC breeds, and its demeanor is elegant and kind. Wolfhounds were once ferocious big-game hunters, but these days they make the most calm and pleasant pets.
The friendly Irish Wolfhound is a huge, muscular hound related to a classic Greyhound, and it can gallop quickly. An Irish Wolfhound might weigh up to 180 pounds and be about three feet tall at the shoulder.
Females tend to be smaller than males, but they still pack a powerful hound punch. White, gray, brindle, red, black, and fawn are just some of the colors that can be found in the rough, hard coat.
Even though they are much too calm to make good guard dogs, Irish Wolfhounds nonetheless manage to deter would-be burglars just by their presence.
Irish Wolfhounds are known for their patience, though young children should be supervised. While owning an Irish Wolfhound has its benefits, taking on such a massive dog is a huge commitment.
Italian Greyhound
The sophisticated Italian Greyhound is a true toy Greyhound in every way. They are alert, lively, and affectionate. While Italian Greyhounds are beautiful to look at as decorative sofa dogs, their true calling is as fast and nimble coursing hounds.
These dogs are like smaller, slimmer versions of Greyhounds. The ideal height for a coursing hound is between 13 and 15 inches at the shoulder, and they all have the same elegant, slanted profile.
Characteristic traits include long, delicate legs. Expect these lap dogs to always be by your side. That said, they also have the intelligence of ancient aristocratic hounds.
These dogs have been bred for ages to be loving companions, and they refuse to be ignored. A specialist states, “The breed, on the whole, would much rather be in your lap or bed than on the floor.”
However, they are true sighthounds who will immediately take off after quick-moving prey. Italian Greyhounds are a short-coated, low-fat breed that needs special attention during winter months.
Irish Doodle
Irish Doodles get their quirky personalities from a combination of traits passed down from both parent breeds. This dog breed is high-energy, entertaining, and bright.
But they also have a soft side and enjoy cuddling up with their loved ones. Due to their Poodle pedigree, Irish Doodles are hypoallergenic and shed little. The Irish Doodle’s friendly demeanor makes him a potential all-around excellent pet.
Their parents’ genes can cause a small range in size. Miniature Poodles and Irish Setters have been crossbred to create Miniature Irish Doodles. They are also known as Setterdoodles, Poo Setters, Irish Setterdoodles, and Irish Doodle Setters.
Mini Irish Doodles are more expensive than regular-sized Poodles by an average of $500 to $600. Mini Irish doodles may only grow to be 12 to 15 inches tall, but they have the same cheerful disposition.
Italian Corso Dog
The intelligent and easily trainable Italian Corso, often known as the Cane Corso, is an unrivaled guard dog. The Corso may trace its ancestry back to the Roman Empire, and its name comes from the Latin for “bodyguard dog.”
Corsi are huge, stocky dogs who stand close to 28 inches at the shoulder and typically weigh over 100 pounds. They have a massive head, an alert gaze, and muscles that stretch under their short, stiff coat.
Their intimidating appearance serves as an initial deterrent to would-be invaders. The breed is often described as having “an understated air of cool competence, the kind of demeanor you’d expect from a professional bodyguard,” as one commentator put it.
Although they are trainable and devoted to their human companions, Corsi can become overbearing and dominant if their owner isn’t careful. Breeding responsibly and exposing puppies to people and other dogs at a young age are essential for any large guard dog.
Italian Spinone
The Italian Spinone, also known as the Spinone Italiano, is a kind, calm, and docile hunting dog with a dense coat. The Spinone, a dog with ancient Italian ancestry, is well-known as a versatile field companion across continental Europe.
The Italian Spinone is a sturdy hunting dog with a square body. Muscular and robust, the Spinoni is more suited for endurance than speed. The thick coat can range in color and pattern but always has a natural appearance because it does not need to be clipped.
The breed’s notable old-world charm is evident in the dog’s face. The combination of a tufted beard and unkempt eyebrows makes for a winning combination. This breed has won over many hearts in Italy and continues to do so in the United States.
Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
An energetic Irish farm dog, the Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is cheerful, sociable, loving, and just a little bit headstrong. Wheaten coats are low shedding but require special care to prevent matting due to their distinctive texture.
The silky, softly wavy coat is a defining characteristic, and it is also what differentiates them from other types of terriers. It ranges from a light beige to a bright gold reminiscent of maturing wheat.
Wheaten Terriers are square, strong dogs that can weigh up to 40 pounds and stand no more than 19 inches tall. This breed of working terrier has been likened to “an iron fist in a velvet glove” because of its tough muscles but soft coat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The American Kennel Club formally recognizes the Ibizan Hound.
Italian Greyhounds tend to vocalize as a warning for their owners.
The Irish Setter needs daily exercise, frequent grooming to prevent mats, and regular ear cleanings to stave off infections.
Conclusion for “Dog Breeds That Start With I”
Researching the various dog breeds available today can be quite overwhelming. But doing so is important if you want to evaluate the different options available to you when adopting a dog.
We hope this list of dog breeds that start with the letter I will prove useful in your research.
For more guides similar to this list of dog breeds that start with the letter I, check out:
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Learn more by watching “The 10 Extreme Loyal Dog Breeds” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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