From an early age, dogs have been an integral part of our lives. Regardless of breed, we deeply respect and cherish the unique bond with them, admiring their loyalty, selfless devotion, and remarkable versatility. Our journey with dogs began with sporting and hunting breeds, and in 2005, quite by chance, our first Irish Terrier, Kefe, joined our family. His intelligence and distinctive personality captivated us instantly. With him, our passion for the breed was born -a passion that has since become a way of life.
Our Philosophy
In 2008, we founded the Of The Hunterriers kennel. Today, we are proud to be raising the fifth generation within our breeding program. We firmly believe that every dog deserves equal care and attention. There can be no favorites, nor any neglected individuals, as dogs are social beings and should never be confined to kennels for days on end, only to be brought out occasionally for a show, a breeding, or a hunt. A responsible breeder must determine an optimal number of dogs, one that allows enough time, attention, and financial resources to provide proper care, nutrition, and veterinary support for each individual.
We also consider it extremely important that a breeder’s responsibility does not end when a puppy goes to its new home. A breeder’s duty continues well beyond that point! Think of the consequences of mistakes made during socialization, which can create challenges for the new owners, or of hereditary conditions that may only be diagnosed months or even years later. We believe that breeding dogs is a true responsibility, as a puppy leaving the breeder’s care will accompany and influence a family’s life for many, many years to come.
Approximately half of the puppies we breed go on to work as sport or working dogs. Many Hunterriers actively serve as hunting dogs across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and Hungary. At the same time, the breed’s versatility is reflected in its achievements in other fields as well. We are particularly proud of our therapy dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and accomplished sport dogs.
One of our key goals as breeders is to raise awareness of the Irish Terrier in Hungary. As a veterinarian, I often encounter situations where people choose a dog based on trends or marketing rather than on suitability. Too often, such choices result in disappointment for both the dog and the family. A dog is a 10–15 year commitment, and breeders carry a significant responsibility in guiding prospective owners. A conscientious breeder with a deep understanding of the breed can honestly evaluate whether it truly is the right match for a potential owner.
Many fashionable breeds with long coats come with high price tags and widespread popularity, yet they are often plagued by hereditary diseases, unstable temperaments, allergic tendencies, and an overabundance of dogs of unknown origin produced by irresponsible breeders. Fortunately, the Irish Terrier has never fallen victim to such trends. Its breeders have always approached their work with integrity and responsibility, which has allowed the breed to maintain excellent health and a stable temperament to this day. As a result, the concept of a “non-pedigree Irish Terrier” is virtually unheard of. We aim to raise awareness of the breed in our country, as it is an outstanding family companion, sport and working dog, distinguished by a sound nervous system and robust health.
Breeding is a lifelong learning process. One constantly learns from respected fellow breeders, as well as from one’s own successes and mistakes. Over the years, we have had the privilege of meeting renowned breeders abroad whose dogs we had previously admired only online. We have visited the Merrymac kennel in Sweden and the Emsmühle kennel in Germany. Karina and Hans Grüttner of Emsmühle generously shared invaluable theoretical and practical knowledge with us, for which we are sincerely grateful.
Our goal is to breed Irish Terriers that exemplify the breed’s excellence in both type and temperament.
Beauty, health, and the remarkable character so typical of the Irish Terrier – together, without compromise.
