The Irish Terrier is one of oldest and most popular of the terrier breeds. It’s a very capable medium sized dog, powerful but not overly muscular. The solid coat can be of various shades of red or wheaten, and some may have a little white patch on the chest.
Irish terriers are an active dog breed that needs lots of stimulation. With the proper training they can develop good tracking abilities too. They typically loves mental training as much as physical and responds very well to reward training from people they consider to be ‘the boss’.
There are a few nicknames that the Irish Terrier has inherited over time. Occasionally going by the name ‘daredevil’, and more commonly as the “Fiery Red Devil”. It earns these names through its tenacity, it’s dominant traits and its courage to the point of recklessness.
We dive into much more about the origins of the breed, their characteristics and traits as well as their suitability as pets below.
Read on if you want to learn more.
History Of The Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier has humble roots, emerging from the Emerald Isle during the 17th century. The exact origins are unknown, but they were used as a trusty peasant’s dog. The breed were loved for their versatility, particularly as farmhands adept at hunting vermin and guarding livestock.
The popularity of the Irish Terrier grew as their reputation for courage and loyalty spread. By the 1880’s they had become the 4th most popular breed in the UK and Ireland. It was around this time that the breed was officially classified, with the first breed club set up in Dublin in 1879.
As the breed’s reputation grew, so did their roles. They ended up with a part to play in the trenches during World War I. Here, their courage was really put to the test, delivering messages under heavy fire and standing sentinel over fallen soldiers. It’s here that they earner their nicknames and eternal respect.
Breed Origin
As I’ve mentioned above, the exact origins of the breed are not entirely clear, but there are theories. The most prevalent is that their lineage comes from, the now-extinct dog, Black and Tan Terrier and various other terrier breeds indigenous to Ireland and Britain. There are also theories that the breed shares a bloodline with the Irish Wolfhound, but so far this is conjecture and the origins may never be fully understood.
The Irish Terrier had been shown, in various different classes and weights during the mid 1800’s, but it wasn’t until the latter part of the century that a selection process had been properly established. In 1879 the first breed club was set up in Dublin and before the end of the century the Irish Terrier had become the first of the terrier breeds to be recognised by the English Kennel Club as a true Irish Breed.
Quick Facts
- Racy but Powerful: The Irish Terrier is a powerful dog with a rectangular frame that sets it apart from the other terrier breeds. Despite it’s power, the frame is ‘Racy’ meaning that it is not overly stocky or weighty.
- Recklessly Courageous: The courage of this breed is legendary. They accompanied soldiers to the front line trenches of the First World War and played a pivotal role there as messengers and sentinels. Even before this though, they had a reputation for staring down aggressors much bigger than themselves, protecting farms and households.
- Hardworking and Active: The Irish Terrier is a very active breed, needing amble physical and mental stimulation. They are very smart and very eager to please, responding well to reward training.
- Dominant Traits: The breed has a tendency to display dominant behaviour over other dogs, but this can be managed with good training. Still, walking in public should be done on the leash.
Characteristics Of The Irish Terrier
You might here the Irish Terrier simply referred to as the ‘Irish’ or the ‘Daredevil.’ Don’t worry though, these are all the same spirited and lovable breed, easily distinguished by their fiery red coat.
Irish Terrier puppies are typically born in litters of 2-6, and after around 8 weeks they are ready to be rehomed. If you are considering adding an Irish Terrier to your family, you can expect the cost to range from $800 to $1200 for a well bred puppy. The price will vary depending on factors such as the breeder’s reputation and the puppy’s lineage. Whether the pup is intended for show or companionship can also influence the price you can expect to pay.
Appearance
The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized breed, standing between 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder. Both sexes share a similar stature, with their weight typically ranging between 24 to 27 pounds. They have a well-proportioned, athletic build that reaches full maturity by around 18 months of age.
The breed has a characteristically distinct, wiry red coat, which covers a sleek ‘racy’, yet sturdy frame. Their head is long and refined, with small, dark eyes and small V-shaped ears that fold forward. It’s breed defining features easily set it apart from other terrier breeds.
The legs on the Irish Terrier balance strength with agility. Their paws are compact and round, with well-arched toes, suited for both speed and endurance.
| Male | Female | |
| Height | 17–18 inches (43–46 cm) | 16–18 inches (41–46 cm) |
| Weight | 25–27 pounds (11–12 kg) | 24–26 pounds (11–12 kg) |
Coat
The coat on the Irish Terrier is very wiry and dense in the outer coat. This sets it apart from other terriers like the Kerry Blue, which has a soft or woolly outer coat. As show dogs, this straight layer should sit against the skin and be kept relatively short. To manage this requires regular grooming and trimming.
The undercoat of the Irish Terrier should be the same color as the outer coat. These hairs are shorter and softer than the outer coat. It can be hard to tell the difference between the two coats to anyone untrained in doing so. But then, its only for show dogs where you would really be looking for this. The nose and legs will develop longer hair than the body.
The Irish Terrier is considered to be a hypoallergenic dog breed, shedding little fur when groomed well.
Color
The Irish Terrier has a solid coat of either golden red, red wheaten or wheaten. The darker or more red in the coat, the better quality it usually is. For show quality, a small patch of white is allowed on the chest, but otherwise a solid, single colored coat is the norm for these dogs.
Temperament
The Irish Terrier’s temperament is a real mix of fearless guardian and affectionate family member. They have an enviable enthusiasm for life, matched by a deep loyalty to their human pack. They are a very intelligent and active breed though, and this can make them both a joy and a challenge to live with. They need constant engagement and understanding from their owners. This can make them great for active individuals or families that can invest lots of time into the dog, but they can be a bit much for novice owners.
There are dominant traits that need to be trained out and managed and they need authoritative owners that they can trust as being in charge.
Lifespan
Irish Terrier’s are known for being a relatively healthy breed with a lifespan of between 13-15 years on average. This is a typical lifespan for medium sized dogs that are well exercised with a good diet.
Known Health Issues
The Irish Terrier is typically a healthy breed, but as with all dogs, they can be predisposed to some health conditions. Even with a health clearance from the breeder, conditions can develop over time, that’s just par for the course. The main health issues that Irish Terriers are prone to are:
Bladder Stones – Bladder stones, or uroliths, are relatively common in Irish Terriers. Symptoms can vary widely, from frequent urination, blood in the urine, or difficulty urinating. Sometimes there are no observable symptoms at all, depending on the size and number of stones.
- Treatment – If they do form, treatment options include dietary changes, medication to dissolve the stones, or surgical removal in more severe cases.
Hyperterakosis – Hyperkeratosis is an abnormal thickening of the outer layer of the skin, particularly affecting the footpads and, less commonly, the nose. This condition can cause the pads to become hard, cracked, and even painful. Long term it can potentially lead to difficulty walking or an increased risk of infection. The exact cause of hyperkeratosis is not fully understood but is believed to be hereditary in many cases.
- Treatment – Regular care of the affected pads, including moisturizing with specific products to soften the pads and reduce discomfort. In some cases, trimming the excess keratin may be necessary, though this should only be done by a professional to avoid injury.
Other health issues they may develop that are common amongst this and similar breeds include:
- Hip Dysplasia: Although less common in medium-sized breeds like the Irish Terrier.
- Cataracts: Irish Terriers can inherit or develop cataracts, leading to a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye.
- Allergies: Like many breeds, Irish Terriers can suffer from various allergies, ranging from food allergies to environmental allergies such as pollen or chemicals.
Daily Life
Now we know what the characteristics of an Irish Terrier are, we can take a look and see what everyday life with one of these dogs is actually like.
Food and Diet
You should always feed your dog high-quality food that combines lots of protein and moderate amounts of fat. The volume you feed them will vary depending on their weight, life stage and also their activity level. For the average Irish Terrier, around 1 and a half cups of dry food per day is about right. This can increase to 2 and a half cups depending on activity level and age.
The diet should be nutritionally complete and they do well when feeding is spread between 2 to 3 times per day. For puppies, they need to be fed between 4 to 6 times per day, on a diet suitable for their life stage.
Exercise
Irish Terriers are very active dogs, and will become bored easily if not adequately stimulated. They do well in environments with large open space to run around in, as long as that area is fenced to prevent them absconding. They have dominant tendencies particularly with other dogs, and even in well trained pets these can surface from time to time.
Walking should be on a leash, particularly in young dogs or those in training. In well socialized and trained dogs you might be able to relax with this over time, but that will be down to the individual dog. At least 1 hour to 1 and a half per day of walking is recommended to keep them content and happy. This is best when spread across the day, 2 to 3 good walks. Plenty of play and mental stimulation in between walks is recommended too.
Family Compatibility
The Irish Terrier’s adaptable nature makes them a well suited companion in a variety of homes and living situations. But I wouldn’t recommend them for first time owners, especially with families where boisterous play might bring out their more dominant traits. They form strong bonds with their family, and can be very protective. This can be a problem with guests if the dog is not well trained and socialized from an early age.
They need somewhere to let off steam and they need their strong personality to be kept in check with a friendly confidence. They can make great, loyal, fun and active pets for homes that can invest the time, energy and consistent training.
Training
The Irish Terrier’s intelligent, sometimes stubborn nature requires a mix of consistency, positive reinforcement and engaging tasks to keep them motivated. They respond well to positive reinforcement, particularly when it is reward motivated. But they really do need consistency with the training or they can become confused and bored.
They are exceptionally brave dogs and this often comes to light in their training. Obedience training should be started very early, as should socialization. Walking should always be on a lead at first, and training with a lead should be a large part of their learning early on. The Irish Terrier can become bored easily so training should be engaging and fun. They love to please their owner so with praise and patience they can become very well rounded dogs.
Socializing
Early socialization is very important for the Irish Terrier, and time invested in this is time well spent. They are inherently a very people orientated breed, with a loving and loyal devotion to their owners. While the untrained dog may greet visitors with a cautious and protective bark, the socialised Irish can be trained to greet guests as friends.
These dogs need to be around their family. They need the feel of their pack and if they feel ignored, abandoned or lonely they can misbehave. So socialization shouldn’t just be about their behavior but about the owners too. Introduce them to normal household activities as early as possible. Handle them regularly and get them used to normal sounds like the door bell and cars coming and going.
Grooming
The coat requires regular brushing, trimming and occasional stripping to keep it in good condition. You can leave them to grow their coat naturally, but when you do so it will become more scruffy. When kept short, regular brushing once or twice per week is usually enough. If left to grow, they will need brushed almost every day.
A monthly bath is usually enough for an Irish, but if they are very active this will vary depending on their environment.
Breed Traits
| Positive Traits | Negative Traits |
| Fiercely courageous | Dominant streak with other dogs |
| Very loyal | Can be reckless |
| Strong and agile | Needs lots of stimulation |
| Very intelligent | Best kept on the leash |
Breed FAQs
Are Irish Terriers good with children?
Absolutely. They are known for their playful nature and protective instincts, making them wonderful companions for children
Can you let Irish Terriers off leash?
They do love to run and a good off-leash period is great for their exercise. Care must be taken though, as they can have a dominant or reckless streak with other dogs. So off leash activities are best suited to contained environments like large fenced yards, or fields away from other dogs.
Can Irish Terrier be left alone?
Irish Terriers are very people orientated dogs and don’t do well on their own. They need plenty of activity both physically and mentally, boring easily if left alone.
Summary
For an experienced dog owner, the adaptability, loyalty, and affection of the Irish Terrier make them a cherished addition to the family. Whether you’re seeking a furry partner to head out on adventures, or a loyal friend, the Irish Terrier will match you and love you for life. They need a confident and assertive owner that they can look up to and trust, and they need to be a big part of your world. If you can give that, then the rewards of owning an Irish Terrier are plentiful.