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Breed Characteristics
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Irish Terrier
| Other Names | Irish Red Terrier |
| Country of Origin | Ireland |
| Weight | 25 - 27 lbs. (11 - 12 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | about 18 inches (43 cm) |
| Coat | The coat on a healthy Irish Terrier should be dense and wiry in texture. It will be rich in quality and it will have a somewhat broken appearance. It should lie fairly close to the body. The individual hairs should grow so closely together that when parted with the fingers the skin is hardly visible. It should be noted that on the sides of the body the coat is never as harsh as on the back and quarters, but it should be plentiful and of good texture. Owners who are planning to place their dog in shows should read up on the various particulars that are associated with this breed as a show dog. |
| Colour | For the most part, the Irish Terrier should be whole-coloured, and those colours should be either bright red, golden red, red wheaten, or wheaten. There can be a small patch of white on the chest which is a common trait of all whole-coloured breeds. Owners should know that often puppies have black hair at birth. This black hair will change as the animal grows and should all be gone by the time it is full grown. |
| Litter Size | 1 - 3 puppies, average 2 |
| Life Span | 12 - 15 years |
| Origin & History | The Irish Terrier has a long and honorable history and it is one of the most beloved breeds. The Irish Terrier originally came from Country Cork, Ireland. There is some agreement that it is one of the oldest terrier breeds. It has been suggested that this breed is two thousand years old. There are paintings of the breed that date back to the 1700's. The breed has been well loved by authors and kings alike. The breed has been used as a hunter and rodent killer. At times this brave breed was used a wartime messengers. The first known breed club was established in Dublin in 1879. Irish Terriers were the first members of the terrier group to be recognized by the English Kennel Club as a native Irish Breed. This recognition took place just before the end of the 19th century. The first Irish Terriers were taken to the US in late 19th century and quickly became popular with hunters and pet lovers alike. The Irish Terrier became very popular in England during the late 1800's. In 1896 the United States' breed club was started. While the breed is still used for hunting purposes by some owners it is now mainly a companion dog. It was also in the latter part of the 19th century that the proper selection process of the breed began. At that time they were shown sometimes in one class, sometimes in separate classes for dogs under and over 9 pounds. Today the breed is well loved and kept in many countries from the US to Australia. |
| Personality | The Irish Terrier is courageous, energetic and loyal, often affectionately called "daredevils" by their fanciers. Sweet with their families, they are entertaining companions. The Irish Terrier is a good friend for active children, loving a good play. Bold, inquisitive and ready for action and adventure. Intelligent, they are very trainable. They have a strong protective instinct and therefore need dominant owners. If this breed senses an owner has a meek side to them it will become willful, as the dog will believe he needs to be in charge. Can be quite a handful. Train firmly, starting when the dog is a puppy, providing rules the dog must follow and limits to what he is and is not allowed to do. Be calm, but stern and always consistent. Socialized this breed well. May not get along with other dogs if the owners are not on top of communicating that the dog is not in charge and that fighting is an unwanted behavior. This hunting terrier should not be trusted with non-canine pets. They can be difficult to housebreak. The Irish Terrier likes to dig, explore and chase anything that moves. Do not let it run free unless it is in a safe area. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The Irish Terrier is a generally healthy breed. For this breed, eye and breathing ailments are rare. They are not prone to Allergies as other breeds may be, but they must be checked for fleas and ticks regularly as they love to hunt out of doors will get into the bushes and thickets. Because of their small size they are not very prone to hip dysplasia. |
| Grooming | The hard double coat is easy to groom and rarely sheds. Brush regularly with a stiff bristle brush and remove the dead hair with a fine-tooth comb. Bathe only when necessary. Irish Terriers are also supposed to be hand-stripped/ hand-plucked twice a year (just like an Airedale). Dogs that compete in dog shows need more extensive grooming. |
| Exercise | Since Irish Terriers were bred for active work, these dogs need plenty of regular exercise. They need at least a daily long, brisk walk, where the dog is made to heel beside or behind the human holding the lead. Do not let this terrier walk in front, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. |
| Other Considerations | The Irish Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised; a small yard will do. If given sufficient exercise, it is surprisingly well-mannered and dignified indoors. Jack London's books Jerry of the Islands and Michael, Brother of Jerry were about Irish Terriers that, according to the bloodlines recorded in the beginning of the book, may actually have lived. The 2007 film Firehouse Dog features an Irish Terrier as the title character. Former Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King owned several Irish Terriers (all named Pat), and had séances to "communicate" with the first Pat after the dog's death. |
