Irish Terriers are spirited members of the terrier group. They’re known as daredevils of the Emerald Isles because of their fearlessness and Irish origins.
With proper training, they can apply their energetic personalities to a wide variety of tasks. They’re determined when at work and loving pets at home. If you have the time and energy to spend on them, these adaptable dogs could be the perfect addition to your family.
Characteristics of Irish Terriers
Body size. Irish Terriers are a medium-sized breed. The typical Irish Terrier size is about the same for males and females.
Both males and females are an average height of 18 inches at their shoulders. Healthy males weigh an average of 27 pounds. Healthy females are slightly smaller, weighing an average of 25 pounds. Talk to your veterinarian if you’re concerned that your dog is too far under- or overweight.
This medium size means that the breed is rather portable. They aren’t too picky when it comes to living space and are happy in both the country and the city.
Body shape. Irish Terriers have well-balanced, symmetrical bodies. They have deep ribs that extend to their elbows and straight, muscular legs.
Their heads are long, and their skulls are flat between the ears. The ears are small and V-shaped.
The overall look is harmonious. All of the features are in proportion to one another.
Lifespan. The Irish Terrier lifespan is reasonable for their size. They live an average of 13 to 15 years. This means that you should plan on spending well over a decade with your pet, especially if you adopt them when they’re still a puppy.
Coat. Irish Terriers should have a double coat. This means that there are two distinct types of coats, each with their own properties.
Their outer coats are stiff and have a medium length. The undercoat grows at the base of the overcoat. It consists of finer, softer hairs that are lighter in color than the outer coat. The overall effect is dense and wiry.
Some members of the breed might not have the undercoat, but this isn’t acceptable for the breed standard.
These days, the coats are bred to be a fiery red color. They can also be a paler wheat color or a red, wheaten mix.
This limited color range wasn’t always the case. Historically, Irish Terriers came in more color combinations like black, tan, and gray. The coat color became a focus for breeders toward the end of the 19th century.
Eyes. Irish Terriers have small eyes. The breed standard prefers eyes that are dark brown in color, but they can also be lighter shades of brown and even yellow. Most families will find these dogs beautiful no matter what their eye color is.
Personality. The Irish Terrier personality is bold and courageous. Their fiery demeanor is a match for their red coats.
These dogs are fearless when faced with a threat. They’ll do anything to protect their loved ones without a thought for their own safety. They’re also intelligent, which helps them handle a wide variety of situations.
The Irish Terrier temperament is very affectionate when they're at home. The American Kennel Club (AKC) rates them a 5 out of 5 for their affection toward their families. They’re moderately playful.
Caring for Irish Terriers
Grooming. Irish Terriers have intermediate grooming needs. You need to brush them regularly to remove debris and loose hairs. You also need to trim or hand strip their longer outer coats to keep them under control. You can either do this yourself or take your dog to a groomer for help.
Trim your dog's nails on a regular basis since long nails can be painful and make walking difficult. Brush their teeth on a daily basis to complete their grooming routine.
Feeding. Make sure that your pet has access to clean water at all times.
You should feed your Irish Terrier high-quality dog food. Try to find a brand that your pet enjoys. Make sure that the nutritional requirements are specific to their stage of life, including puppy and senior-specific foods.
Always consult your veterinarian before choosing to make an at-home blend for your dog. Making your own food is a complicated process. You need to make sure that you’re meeting all of your dog’s nutritional needs.
Also make sure that you know what human foods are safe for your dog to eat before feeding them anything from your kitchen.
Exercise and mental stimulation. Irish Terriers have an abundance of energy. They need plenty of exercise every single day. A fenced-in outdoor area is a great place for them to play and burn off as much energy as they want.
Long daily walks are another great way to get your pet the exercise they need. But always keep them on a leash, or they might take off after something that looks like prey.
They also need a good amount of mental stimulation. You should play with your pet often and keep the activities varied so they don’t get bored.
Dog sporting events are a great way to provide your dog both mental and physical stimulation. Irish Terriers excel at a number of competitions, including:
- Agility
- Obedience
- Rally
- Flyball
Veterinary visits, medications, and immunizations. Talk to your vet to schedule all of the vaccinations that your pet needs. Every dog needs a core set. This includes vaccinations for:
- Canine parvovirus
- Distemper
- Adenovirus
- Parainfluenza virus
- Rabies
It’s safe for your puppy to start getting many of these vaccinations when they’re as young as six weeks old. There are also other, non core vaccinations that you should discuss with your veterinarian.
Dosages for flea and tick medications are based on your dog's weight. Use them whenever your dog needs them. Oral and skin-based applications are available from your veterinarian and commercial distributors.
Many of these medications can be effective against a variety of pests and parasites, so talk to your vet to figure out the best one for you. Heartworm medication is also recommended year-round in all parts of the U.S.
Health Problems to Watch for With Irish Terriers
In general, Irish Terriers are a healthy breed. But there are still some problems that you should watch out for in your pet.
Some issues that can occur in these and other dogs include:
- Bladder and kidney stones. These are painful deposits that form in your dog’s organs. Look for signs like blood in their urine or difficulty urinating. These are emergencies, so get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. With treatment, your pet will recover.
- Cataracts. These make the lenses in your dog’s eyes opaque. They eventually lead to blindness. You can choose to have them treated with surgery. Keep in mind that older dogs typically adjust to the vision loss with few problems.
- Hyperkeratosis. This is a condition that causes the pads on your dog’s feet to thicken. It’s also called “corny feet”. It’s becoming more rare in the breed and is more common when the dog comes from a European line.
- Hip dysplasia. This is where the ball and socket of your dog's hip joint don’t develop properly as they grow. Instead of sliding smoothly, the bones grind against each other, wearing down and eventually making it difficult for your dog to move. Your veterinarian can evaluate your dog’s joints and see how likely they are to cause problems throughout your dog's life.
- Patellar luxation. This is a common cause of lameness in dogs that’s due to problems with your pet’s knee joint. They could be born with it or develop the problem from an injury. The treatment will depend on how severe your dog’s condition is but could include surgery.
- Pyometra. This is a uterine infection that can be dangerous for your dog. It only affects females that still have their uterus in place. The most effective solution is to remove the uterus.
- Thyroid problems. A common problem is hypothyroidism, where your dog’s body can’t make enough thyroid hormone. Signs can include dry skin, hair loss, and behavioral problems. Your veterinarian should screen for this condition on an annual basis. Treatment is usually in the form of a pill to replace the hormones.
Special Considerations for Irish Terriers
Although Irish Terriers are willing to please, they’re independent dogs that can be tough to train. Start their training and socialization as early as possible for the best results. Use methods like positive reinforcement to quickly bond with your pet.
These dogs are fantastic with young children but could take some time to warm up to strangers. They have a protective streak that helps support their watchdog nature.
In terms of their physical characteristics, these dogs shed very little and drool even less. They bark an average amount and usually need some kind of provocation, however slight.
History of Irish Terriers
Irish Terriers are one of the oldest terrier breeds. They’ve been widespread throughout Ireland for centuries. They were bred from the Black and Tan Terrier, which was common in the U.K. in the 19th century. By the 1880s, they were the 4th most popular dog in both Ireland and Britain.
Originally, Irish Terriers were bred for function over aesthetics. This means that they came in a wide variety of sizes and colors throughout the first few decades of their existence. The breeders’ focus was on a wide variety of tasks, including:
- Ratting
- Acting as watchdogs
- Guarding flocks
- Hunting — both on land and in water
They were even used as messengers in World War I.
Irish Terriers were showcased in 1875 in Scotland. Breeders became more interested in their looks at this time, and their fiery coat color was standardized. They’re the only all-red terrier breed that currently exists.
The breed was added to the American Kennel Club in 1885.
