The Irish terrier originated in Ireland, and it is one of the oldest terrier breeds. During the 1700s, the Irish terrier was used to hunt and retrieve otters, water rats and vermin. The dogs were utilized as messengers during World War I. In 1885, the American Kennel Club recognized the Irish terrier as a member of the terrier group.
The body of an Irish terrier is at once athletic and lithe. The sturdy and agile little dog stands an average of 18 inches tall at the shoulders and weighs 25 to 27 pounds. The coat is short, wiry and dense, and it may be red, wheaten or red wheaten in color. Some Irish terrier puppies are born black, but their adult coats take on the red or wheaten coloring. Some dogs have a small patch of white on the chest. The muzzle is bearded, the V-shaped ears fold down forward, and the tails are often docked. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized, long-legged dog breed. It was bred to be a working dog, which is why this dog is agile, powerful and fast, as well as having great endurance levels. It has a wiry, dense coat that needs to be brushed regularly. It also needs clipping and scissoring annually. The ears need special attention.
Personality
Irish terriers are lively, entertaining family members that are playful and friendly with children. They tend to be scrappy toward other dogs, and they are eager to chase other small and furry creatures indoors and outdoors. The Irish terrier will eliminate vermin and wildlife from the yard. Irish terriers are bold, spunky and sometimes stubborn. They are intelligent and easily trained by a dominant owner. The courageous and loyal Irish terrier makes an effective watchdog. These dogs have busy minds that need to be stimulated. They are always seeking out mischief. The Irish terrier requires plenty of exercise to burn off some of its energy. These dogs make outstanding candidates for agility coursing. The Irish Terrier is intense, confident, independent and stubborn but also good-natured and calm dog breed. It needs daily physical and mental exercise otherwise it will get bored and brash. It is a loyal companion and very playful. It is nice towards children but aggressive towards other dogs and suspicious of strangers.
Breed Characteristics
| Family: | Terrier |
| Life Span: | 12 – 16 years |
| Nicknames: | Irish red terrier |
Irish Terrier Build Information
The body of an Irish terrier is at once athletic and lithe. The sturdy and agile little dog stands an average of 18 inches tall at the shoulders and weighs 25 to 27 pounds. The coat is short, wiry and dense, and it may be red, wheaten or red wheaten in color. Some Irish terrier puppies are born black, but their adult coats take on the red or wheaten coloring. Some dogs have a small patch of white on the chest. The muzzle is bearded, the V-shaped ears fold down forward, and the tails are often docked. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized, long-legged dog breed. It was bred to be a working dog, which is why this dog is agile, powerful and fast, as well as having great endurance levels. It has a wiry, dense coat that needs to be brushed regularly. It also needs clipping and scissoring annually. The ears need special attention.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
Irish terriers are lively, entertaining family members that are playful and friendly with children. They tend to be scrappy toward other dogs, and they are eager to chase other small and furry creatures indoors and outdoors. The Irish terrier will eliminate vermin and wildlife from the yard. Irish terriers are bold, spunky and sometimes stubborn. They are intelligent and easily trained by a dominant owner. The courageous and loyal Irish terrier makes an effective watchdog. These dogs have busy minds that need to be stimulated. They are always seeking out mischief. The Irish terrier requires plenty of exercise to burn off some of its energy. These dogs make outstanding candidates for agility coursing. The Irish Terrier is intense, confident, independent and stubborn but also good-natured and calm dog breed. It needs daily physical and mental exercise otherwise it will get bored and brash. It is a loyal companion and very playful. It is nice towards children but aggressive towards other dogs and suspicious of strangers.
| Activity Level: | Very Active |
| Affection Level: | Moderately affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
The Irish terrier’s coat requires little grooming effort. Brushing or combing the coat once a week removes any dead hairs and keeps the coat looking healthy. A professional groomer can trim the coat every three to four months to maintain a tidy appearance. Along with brushing the coat each week, inspect the ears. If they appear dirty, clean and dry them to prevent ear infections. The teeth should be brushed at least three times a week to prevent periodontal disease, which can adversely affect overall health.
| Shedding: | Little |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
Irish Terrier Common Health Conditions
The hardy Irish terrier lives an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years. The breed has few health problems of note other than bladder stones, cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. A condition that affects Irish terriers on a rare basis is muscular dystrophy.
Irish Terrier Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
If you admire the spunk and frolicking nature of a terrier, the Irish terrier will delight your children and entertain the entire family. The Irish terrier originated in Ireland. The Irish terrier is also known as an Irish red terrier. The Irish terrier is an energetic, playful and intelligent family member. The Irish terrier stands at an average height of 18 inches weighs 25 to 27 pounds. Irish terriers have high energy levels. Irish terriers require minimal grooming. The average lifespan for an Irish terrier is 12 to 16 years.
| Training: | Easy |
