Dog Breeds > Irish Terrier

The Irish Terrier

The Irish Terrier is popular for its racy red coat which can protect it in all weathers. It is also a great hunting dog and belongs to the Terrier family. They are usually friendly with humans but can be unsociable with other canines. This breed is very protective and aggressive which is why owners of this breed must be dominant.

Energy Playfulness Intelligence Grooming Popularity

Fascinating Facts

The Irish Terrier originated from Ireland and is thought to be one of the oldest terrier breeds. They are known to be hunters of animals such as otters and rats. Besides hunting, Irish Terriers are also very good in tracking, retrieving, watching and in doing military work.

Physical Appearance

The Irish Terrier is a dog of medium size with its body longer than it is taller. It usually has a red coat which is rough to keep it protected form all kinds of weather. This breed also looks rectangular when viewed from the side. The ears are in proportion to the head and folded just a bit forward. However, Irish Terriers need to receive special training to hold their ears in the right position. If not, its ears may look curl up or flop to the sides which are unsightly. The ears might need to be glued up during adolescence until cartilage sets in to keep it in a permanent position. This breed has a sturdy body with straight long legs with good muscle tone. The tail is usually shortened to make it look more attractive but this is prohibited in most countries in Europe.

Grooming

This breed has a double coat which can be groomed with regular brushing. Bathing is not needed since this strips the dog’s coat of natural oils that aid in protecting it fro different kinds of weather. Irish Terriers rarely shed and only need stripping once or twice a year. But if they are entered to compete in dog shows, hand-stripping of their coats must be done more often which can be expensive.

Mood

Irish Terriers are very energetic but are very hard to train. Trainers must assert more dominance and introduce rules for the dog to follow while it is still young. However, Irish Terriers are very agile and make great sports dogs.

With Children

Irish Terriers are very lovable dogs and make good playmates for children. However, Irish Terriers must never be left alone with children since this breed can be a little rough. In general, Irish Terriers are friendlier when they are socialized at an earlier age. It is not recommended that they be left inside the house since they enjoy exploring and digging outdoors.

Training & Exercise

Irish Terriers are very active and energetic and need to be exercised regularly. They need to be walked daily with the human leading the way. Irish Terriers shouldn’t be allowed to lead the way because this will confuse them and make them think they’re the leader.

Health & Life Expectancy

Irish Terriers are generally healthy and can live up to 14 years. They do not show allergies to food and have a low incidence of hip dysplasia. Irish Terriers have a history of hyperkeratosis which causes pain on their pads but nowadays, these bloodlines are not used by breeders anymore.

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