As the name suggests, these hard-working terriers come from the Emerald Isle. They have been faithful companions and all-around farm dogs in Ireland for hundreds of years. But it was not until the 1870s that the Irish Terrier we know today was established. Finally, they joined the AKC club in 1885. Though the Irish Terrier is well known and popular in its homeland and in the neighboring UK, it is not quite famous in the USA.  

Size

Both male and female Irish Terriers can be up to 18 inches tall (45 cm). They are also almost the same weight, from 27 to 25 pounds (12 to 11 kg). However, males are slightly bigger and have a heavier build, more masculine build as it’s referred to in the AKC’s breed standard official document.

All in all, the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog. They have long legs, a long proudly carried neck, a long skull, and small and V-shaped ears. Breeders and owners used to dock the tail, as it’s still mentioned in the breed standard document, but today, docking is not necessary and in some countries, banned.

Color

There are only three breed coat colors:

1. Red
2. Wheaten
3. Red Wheaten

Interestingly, the breed didn’t always appear in different shades of red coat color. There were other colors, such as black, black and white, and so on. However, the red color was always the dominant one, and most puppies were born red or in a shade of red. That’s why the breeders who developed the Irish Terrier as a proper and official dog breed decided to “keep the red”. 

Today, you can still see some black shading on the ears or on the muzzle when a puppy is born, but this usually goes away after 6 months of age. 

Social Traits

The Irish Terrier is a real terrier. What does that mean? 

• They have a strong prey drive
• They are naturally bold
• They are stubborn
• They are quite smart, but willful
• They do not get along with other dogs
• They need lots of mental stimulation (something to do)
• They don’t get along with small animals (because of the high prey drive)
• They are good with children of all ages, but are reserved with strangers!
• They need lots of socialization from an early age
• They are loyal 
• They are hard-working, tireless

You will never have a boring time with the Irish Terrier. Whether it’s because they are doing something they shouldn’t but it’s in their DNA, such as chasing a neighbor’s cat or digging in the garden, or it’s because they are playful, one thing is certain – you will always have something fun to see.

Even though they get along with children, every dog needs proper socialization. We also need to teach children how to behave around dogs.

Training

As with other terriers, the Irish Terrier can also seem like a difficult dog to train. However, we don’t understand the original purpose of this dog’s breeding and what we want the dog to do today. 

People primarily bred the Irish Terrier to catch vermin. The dogs would track an animal, dig, chase, go underground, whatever was needed to catch it or flush it out. They did not fear confronting a larger animal, like a badger or a fox.

All of this means they won’t act like a Border Collie and patiently and eagerly wait for our command. The Irish Terrier is ‌free-spirited, willful, and a bit stubborn. Of course, you can train them! But it will take more time and more patience.

You won’t have problems with potty training, but recall and teaching them not to dig or chase small animals can be an issue. This is once again because of the very nature of the breed.

Activity Needs

The Irish Terrier Association states they need up to 1 hour of daily activity. The AKC also puts them in the medium-activity needs. However, this doesn’t mean your Irish Terrier needs a half an hour walk in the morning and the other half in the evening. 

The Irish Terrier needs a more meaningful walk, something much more than a potty break. They need to explore, sniff, and play with you (or other dogs). You need to give them something to do, such as play games, do one of the dog sports, or give them toys to chew on. 

Spending time with your dog is crucial. That means we are present and not on the phone while a dog tries to get our attention and often fails, feeling frustrated and sad. Yes, dogs can feel emotions!

Feeding

An adult Irish Terrier needs from 1 to 1.5 cups of kibble a day. That means if you plan on giving them one cup, they need ‌half of the cup in the morning and the other half in the evening. Basically, we need to divide the daily amount into two meals.

Of course, how much food a dog needs depends on various factors, such as age, health, or even fluctuations in seasonal temperatures. The best option is to consult a vet. They can give you advice about what food and how much your dog needs.

Grooming

The Irish Terrier has a double, wiry, and medium-long coat. They shed in normal amounts, nothing too much, but they are definitely not hypoallergenic. 

The outer coat is rough and wiry, and the inner coat is softer and serves as insulation during cold days. The Irish Terrier needs weekly brushing with a combination of a pin brush and a bristle brush. This way you can reach both the inner and the outer coat and remove any dirty or loose hair.

Besides regular brushing, all Irish Terriers need to have their coats stripped approximately twice a year. The American Kennel Club recommends that you hand-strip their coats rather than clip them.

They also need regular nail trimming if the nails don’t wear off naturally and an occasional bath, depending on how dirty your dog gets while playing outside.

Possible Health Issues

Despite the relatively small gene pool of Irish Terriers, breeders manage to keep them healthy. Responsible breeding includes screening breeding pairs and making sure a dog is first and foremost healthy and happy, and not only used for‌ breeding purposes. 

But, as with any other living being on this planet, the Irish Terrier can have some health issues as well. When it comes to inherited health issues, the most common one is Hyperkeratosis or Hereditary Footpad Hyperkeratosis (HFH).

‌HFH, a genetic condition in dogs, results in the paws becoming abnormally thick and hard, which causes painful cracks and splits. Some people also call it “corny feet”.

Summary

The Irish Terrier is not a common pet you can see everywhere. But, it doesn’t mean it’s because they aren’t good as family pets. The Irish Terrier is a great family dog for people who have time to spend socializing the dog from an early age, spending time with the dog doing fun activities or going on walks or hikes. While the Irish Terrier gets along with children, it doesn’t go well with other dogs or small animals. This is because of their natural gameness, boldness, and a high prey drive. However, if we work hard from the start, train and socialize the dog, and redirect their prey drive, an Irish Terrier can be a wonderful family pet.

Read Next: Cesky Terrier Traits – Breeds 101

Cover photo by Congerdesign