Irish Terriers: A guide to dogs and puppies of the Irish Terrier breed

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The Irish Terrier!

Irish Terriers have flat skulls, long whiskers, bearded muzzles and powerful jaws. Though somewhat longer and taller, this medium-sized, well-proportioned terrier looks very similar to the Wirehaired Fox Terrier. Their nose is black with a really noticeable stop in profile. Irish Terriers have v-shaped ears that fold forward. They have shorter hair on the ears and often darker than the dog’s body. Their small, fiery eyes are framed with bushy eyebrows. Their long front legs are muscular, with a tail carried erect and measuring ¾ of its body length. Their rough looking and wiry outer jacket has a softer undercoat lining.

Some Quick Facts:

Life Expectancy:
12-15 years

Energy Level:
Quite energetic and hot-tempered.

Living Conditions:
Apartment is fine if provided sufficient exercise and a yard to play in.

Barking:
Slightly above average.

Exercise Needs:
Long daily walk and yard play.

Breed Group:
Terrier

Size:
Medium-Small

Height:
16-19 inches

Weight:
24 to 28 pounds

Standard Hair Colors:
Red, golden or wheaten – in solid colors.

National breed club:
The Irish Terrier Club of America

Irish Terrier Skills

Originally from Country Cork, Ireland, the Irish Terrier is probably one of the oldest terrier breeds. They are feisty hunters and exterminators of den animals, otters, and water rats. This breed has also been used to retrieve messages during wartime. Their many talents include hunting, retrieving, tracking, guarding, military work, and police work.

Irish Terrier Personality

Irish Terriers are affectionately called “Daredevils” by their fanciers. This breed is hot-tempered, reckless, and exceptionally courageous. They are animated, spirited, and loyal dogs. They play hard and can be good friends to active children. They are somewhat willful but they are intelligent and trainable. Irish Terriers can be quite a handful so they should be trained firmly from the beginning. These dogs are affectionate and kind with humans, but cannot be trusted with non-canine pets because they are quite combative. They have strong protective instincts so socialization with other people should begin at an early age. Irish Terriers can be difficult to housebreak because they like to explore, dig, and chase things but they are very loyal, entertaining companions.

Exercise Needs

They need a lot of exercise since they are bred for active work. They should be held firmly on a leash so it doesn’t fight with other dogs, especially when walking in public.

Living Conditions

If given the right amount of exercise, Irish Terriers can turn out to be well-mannered and behaved indoors. They will be okay living in an apartment provided they are sufficiently exercised. However, it is still recommended that they at least have a small yard to round around in.

Grooming Requirements

Only bathe Irish terriers when necessary. Their hard double coat is easy to groom and rarely sheds. Use a fine-tooth comb and brush regularly with a stiff bristle brush to remove dead hair.