Irish Terrier

Stouthearted and rugged, the Irish terrier is one of the original terrier breeds. With its fiery, typically red, wiry coat, the dog’s a mid-sized creature that’s suited to its roots in Ireland. Historically, Irish Terriers came in a variety of colors, but today they are recognized only in shades of red.

It has the great ability to be graceful, agile, and fast. It definitely has more energy than you. And this dog is mischievous. It’ll dig up the garden or claw through your shoes.

The dog’s noted for being stubborn and intelligent. It wants to play, run, and chase. The Ireland dog’s going to go after squirrels and rodents. While they take cues from their owner, in general, the Irish terrier is suspicious of strangers.

With early socialization, it’s great with kids. Expect your Irish terrier to enjoy life.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning an Irish Terrier

You’re going to love your Irish terrier, but trust that it’s going to be a handful. Here are three great things and three not-so-great things to take into account about having this dog in your home.

History of the Breed

Irish terriers have been found throughout Ireland for centuries and are one of the older terrier breeds. While their exact date of inception is not known, it is believed they began in the late 19th century in Cork, Ireland, although there are images that appear to depict this breed dating back to the 18th century. It has been nicknamed the daredevil for its reputation of being courageous in the face of danger, as well as loyal and spirited, and it even served as a messenger and sentinel dog in World War I.

It is thought that they were bred from the now-extinct black and tan terrier, and early variations of the breed came in a wider variety of colors. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that this dog became known for its solid red color.

Size and Weight

Most breeders will tell you all the rumors about Ireland’s most popular dog’s large size are an exaggeration. They are big dogs, but only when compared to other terriers. In the world of dogs in general, the Irish terrier is only medium-sized.

Fully grown male and female Irish terriers will max out at 18 inches tall. In terms of weight, the male tends to be slightly heavier than the female. Males can weigh around 27 pounds. The female Irish terrier will top out at 25 pounds.

Common Health Issues

There’s the possibility of any dog inheriting genetic health problems. Be wary of breeders who cannot offer a healthy prospect for their puppies. Reputable breeders will be open and honest about any issues you can expect from a breed.

In general, your Irish terrier is healthy but not completely safe from genetics. Here are the more common issues you might encounter.

• Muscular dystrophy
• Cataracts
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Hyperkeratosis
• Obesity

Temperament

The Irish terrier was bred to be a guard dog, companion, and hunter. Among its better qualities are being spirited, good-tempered, adaptable, and alert. It’s also known for its pluckiness, devotion, and curiosity. Of course, with the good comes the bad. The dog can be reckless, stubborn, strong-willed, and scrappy with other animals.

Your dog is extremely intelligent and will need mental challenges. Engage him through play and training, physical exercise, and firm, loving discipline. These dogs love people and will follow their cues when it comes to strangers or strange situations.

Training, heredity, and socialization influence the animal’s temperament. Early exposure to sights, experiences, sounds, and different people is the best way to develop a well-rounded dog.

Puppies can be playful and curious, willing to interact with people. Your best bet is middle-of-the-road puppies. When talking with breeders, shops, or rescue staff, ask about a dog’s aggressiveness and how it behaves with other animals.

How To Take Care of an Irish Terrier

Once trained, this dark, black, or red dog doesn’t need a lot of attention. It’s a healthy and strong animal, both mind- and body-wise. The Irish terrier needs playtime and exercise. Someone will have to groom it regularly.

The Best Dog Food

The recommended feed for the Irish terrier is one to 1.5 cups of quality dry dog food. You should divide this into two meals over the day.

What and how much your dog eats are dependent on age, size, build, activity level, and metabolism. Not all dogs need the same amount of food. A highly active dog like your Irish terrier will require more energy than an older, couch potato pet.

Avoid overfeeding. If you need to check its weight, place your hands on its back. Keep the thumbs along the spine and spread your fingers downward. If you can’t feel its ribs without pressing down, you may want to reconsider how you’re feeding it and get a little more exercise in.

Many owners have success giving their dogs a freeze-dried raw diet for less processed, higher protein, and more satisfying nutrition.

Maintenance and Grooming

The short, dark, red, or black coat of the hypoallergenic Irish terrier needs stripping, brushing, and trimming regularly, perhaps twice a week. This will remove loose hair and dirt. It has a dense, wiry coat that hugs it, creating a tight jacket. There’s a softer coat beneath that keeps it warm on unpleasant days. Trim its nails too. Long nails can make the dog uncomfortable.

Brush the teeth several times a week to remove tartar and bacteria. Also, the terrier has a unique set of ears. The puppies may need “training” to achieve the V-shaped fold of the ears that gives these dogs that Irish rogue demeanor. That entails gluing and taping the ears down until they fall right. This best takes place between four to eight months of age. Have a consult with your breeders to learn how to do it.

Training

Your Irish terrier is a tough nut to crack. Independent and strong-willed, it’ll dismiss training as if there are other things to do. This is why training needs to start early, hopefully when they’re puppies.

The Irish terrier picks up on commands and tricks easily, as it’s very clever. Positive reinforcement helps, but avoid long training sessions. It’ll get bored and simply stop paying attention.

Exercise

Healthy Irish terriers need at least an hour a day of physical activity. It can run with you or have a great time at all varieties of dog sports. Doggy can run for hours and manage half-day hikes with no stress.

These are not necessarily apartment dogs. It’d be comfortable with an enclosed yard for burning off steam. The dog’s flushed with energy, but once burned off, it can relax on the couch.

Puppies

They are hard to find, but locating an Irish terrier isn’t an impossible mission. You might find these puppies at (i) a public animal shelter ready for adoption, (ii) a dog rescue operation, or (iii) a reputable breeder. Once you find a dog, look for online reviews to find out if the breeder has a reputation for healthy puppies.

As these terriers are prone to expensive eye conditions, breeders should have a certificate from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation that’s no more than a year old.

Irish Terrier And Children

A legend says leprechauns give Irish terriers to children. The dog’s energy level and size do make them great companions for kids. But if children are young, supervise all interactions.

Training should include puppies not being mouthy and rough. Teach children not to hit the dog, or pull on the ears or tail. Children must never approach a dog while it’s sleeping. They need to know to never disturb an eating dog or try to take the dog’s food away.

Dogs Similar to Irish Terriers

As stated, the Irish terrier is going to be a tough find. Here are three similar dogs you can consider making a family member.

• Welsh Terrier: The Welsh terrier has the same spirit and alertness as any member of the terrier family. Breeders say what distinguishes the Welshman is that the dog is a little calmer and game, but not necessarily as stubborn.
• Airedale Terrier: This one’s referred to as “The King of Terriers.” It does have a regal stance and has earned the titles of athlete, hunter, and trusted companion.
• Lakeland Terrier: These are big dogs in small bodies. The Lakeland terrier is famous for being confident, bold, and friendly. It’s named for its native England’s Lake District. A farmer’s work dog, it was bred to work in packs against sheep-attacking foxes.