Irish Terrier Dog Breed Information

Group

Terriers

Weight

11-13 kg

Height

45-50 cm

Lifespan

13-15 years

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About the Irish Terrier

Reviewed by:

Dr. Dilber Hussain

Veterinarian

The Irish Terrier is one that was used for many purposes from a household companion to a watchdog or vermin dispatcher. Their versatility made them a popular breed from the early days.

As a super affectionate dog, many households nowadays are keen to adopt or buy this breed for their lovable personality. They have plenty of energy and will love a household that likes to get outdoors daily.

If you can provide plenty of attention and love to this breed, then they’re a perfect dog for your family. Here’s some useful information on the Irish terrier breed, should you be looking at this dog type for adoption or purchase.

What is the history & origin of the Irish Terrier?

There are many terrier types in this dog breed group and the Irish are one of the oldest in the bunch. As an officially recognized breed in 1875 at a dog show in Glasgow Scotland, this terrier has been a popular breed ever since.

In the 1880s, the terrier became one of the most popular breeds in Britain and has rapidly spread since in the US. The first Irish Terriers were registered with the American Kennel Club back in 1885. The first breed club, the Irish Terrier Club of America was founded later on in 1896.

Moving forward to WW1, they were used a lot as messenger dogs and sentinels and whilst fading somewhat from popularity, they remain a breed that deserves a home and a loving environment in this modern day. The Irish terriers rank 123rd among the 155 breeds in AKC.

What is an Irish Terrier breed?

The Irish Terrier originates from none other than Ireland – fairly obvious! It’s considered one of the oldest and is a wonderful-looking terrier breed.

This breed has a long head, dark brown eyes, and small V-shaped ears that drop forward slightly. With a dense, wiry coat, they often come in variations of the colours red or wheaten.

Who is an Irish Terrier best for?

As one of the oldest terrier breeds, this dog type is best for families who have an adventurous nature and love to get outside. It’s best to have Irish Terrier puppies that you can socialize with from a young age to adapt to households with young children, so get them involved in puppy classes and dog sports.

They will be wary of those they don’t know but they rely on their owners for validation. They often are little daredevils though, so watch out for their mischievous streak.

Irish Terrier Grooming & Shedding

The Irish terrier has a dense and wiry coat with hairs that grow close together. There’s a double coat that has a stiff outer coat and a softer undercoat. The coat is adaptable to most weather conditions whether it’s being indoors or playing outdoors.

Brushing the coat weekly will help to keep it clean and healthy. It’s important to clip the coat professionally and to hand strip it professionally too if possible. It can be a challenge to do it if you’re a new dog owner, so if in doubt, turn to the pros!

Other grooming needs will include brushing your teeth two or three times a week and trimming their nails at least once a month.

Do Irish Terriers bark a lot?

Irish terriers make for great watchdogs and will often warn their owners if there are any new sights or sounds. However, they won’t excessively bark if they’re trained properly to only bark when necessary.

What is the average weight & height of an Irish Terrier dog?

For males, the average weight is 13 kilos, and for females, they weigh slightly less at 11 kilos. The height of the dog will vary between 45 to 50 cm.

Are Irish Terriers easy to train?

When it comes to Irish terrier training, it’s good to install high fences outside so that they don’t think about making a run for it. They’re also diggers, so you may want to reinforce the fences too at the bottom.

This native Irish breed will need around 30 minutes of exercise each day which could be spread over two or three walks. They’re great for running alongside if you’d prefer to go out jogging yourself and they are great off-lead.

Training them from a young age is key and as a family pet, they’ll be the perfect family member when socialised properly.

How do Irish Terriers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

With dog breeds of any kind, temperament, and personality are important to consider. With this dog breed, you’ll quickly learn that this dog type is good-tempered, alert, and full of life.

Their temperament can be influenced by several factors whether that’s their training or socialisation. The Irish Terrier puppy can adapt very well to obedience training and with plenty of exercises, they will be a great company within your home.

However, it’s worth noting that these terriers can be strong-willed and independent, so they may be scrappy when it is. comes to other dogs. Novice dog owners will need to be on it when it comes to correcting behaviours that aren’t so good when it comes to interacting with other pooches.

Get them involved with dog sports to help them burn their energy supplies and provide mental stimulation. They’re not one-person dogs, so they’ll love being around all types of people, whether they live in the home or not.

Does the Irish Terrier have any common health issues?

The Irish terrier dog is one that luckily doesn’t experience much in the way of common health problems. They may have some general dog health issues later on in life but in comparison to other dog types, they’re fairly lucky with avoiding most problems and diseases that can develop or be hereditary.

However, it’s important that for them, you’re taking them to the vets as and when required. An Irish terrier might be more invincible to health issues but they still need attending to keep them healthy.

What is the lifespan of an Irish Terrier?

The lifespan of a terrier breed like this one is 13-15 years. The terrier group is often a great one for long lifespans and as a dog owner, it’s always important to have as many years with your pooch as possible!

As long as you’re giving them plenty of exercise and making sure they eat healthily, they’ll have a long, healthy life.

How much does an Irish Terrier need to be fed?

When it comes to feeding, the recommended daily amount is around 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day. This is split between two meals and therefore, you mustn’t allow your dog to over-eat. This can cause weight gain which can be difficult to work off.

However, if you’re giving them plenty of exercise, you’ll have no problem keeping them fit and healthy.

How much can you expect to pay for an Irish Terrier in Australia?

Depending on the breeder you choose and the area in which you’re located, you can expect to pay anywhere around $700 to $1,000 on average. This might vary depending on where you are though and you must be going with a reputable breeder where possible.

You may find some of these dogs will be available in rescue centres or shelters.

Irish Terrier FAQs

Can Irish Terriers be trusted off-leash?

As with most terrier breeds, the Irish Terrier has plenty of energy to burn, meaning it will require around an hour of walking each day. It’s worthwhile to give them as much off-lead exercise as possible but this requires lead and plenty of obedience training before you go letting them off. Try practicing from home first and then build up to larger spaces like a local field or park.

How often do Irish Terriers go into heat?

Terriers will go into heat like other dogs, around every six months. The intervals can vary with other breeds but with terriers, they tend to come into heat twice a year.

Are Irish Terriers hypoallergenic dogs?

Yes, due to their coats producing a lot less dander than most breeds, they are considered to be less impactful when it comes to those with dog allergies. Whilst no dog is completely allergy-free for humans, this is a breed that will work well in households with pet allergies.

Are Irish Terrier dogs ideal for first-time dog owners?

Irish Terriers are known to be gentle dogs when it comes to families that have both young and older children. As always proper socialisation and training are required to ensure that both children and the dog itself behave. They do have strong bonds with their families, meaning they don’t like being left on their own too often.