Irish Terrier

also known as Daredevil, Irish Red Terrier

Pros Summary


The Irish Terrier is a small to medium-sized dog breed that originated in Ireland. They were originally bred as hunting dogs for small game such as foxes and rats. The breed was first recognized by the Kennel Club (UK) in 1873. It is also recognized by other kennel clubs and organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Irish Terriers are known for their energetic, friendly and independent personalities, they make great family pets, but they require regular exercise and consistent training. They are also known for their wiry coat which requires regular grooming.

Breed Information


Type

Is Irish Terrier a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Irish Terriers originally used for?

Hunting

Lifespan

How Long Do Irish Terriers Live? What is average life expectancy for an Irish Terrier? How long can Irish Terriers live?

12-15 years

The average Irish Terrier lifespan is somewhere between 12-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Irish Terrier Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Irish Terrier?

What is the average height of an Irish Terrier? How big is an Purebred Irish Terrier height? Irish Terrier dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 17-18 inches (43.2 - 45.7 cm) 15.5 inches (39.4 cm) 16.5 inches (41.9 cm) 17.5 inches (44.5 cm)
Female 16-18 inches (40.6 - 45.7 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm) 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) 17.0 inches (43.2 cm)
What is the average weight of an Irish Terrier? How much should Irish Terriers weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 25-27 pounds (11 - 12 kg) 17.0 pounds (8 kg) 22.0 pounds (10 kg) 26.0 pounds (12 kg)
Female 24-26 pounds (11 - 12 kg) 15.0 pounds (7 kg) 20.0 pounds (9 kg) 25.0 pounds (11 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Irish Terriers get fat easily?

The Irish Terrier is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Irish Terriers Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Irish Terriers are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is an Irish Terrier personality? What are Irish Terrier dogs best known for?

Dominant
Lively
Respectful
Intelligent
Protective
Trainable

Shedding Level

Are Irish Terriers heavy shedders? How Much Does an Irish Terrier Shed?

Irish Terrier will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of an Irish Terrier dog?

The Irish Terrier dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Irish Terriers come from?

Ireland

Ancestry

What are Irish Terriers descended from?

Terrier, Irish Wolfhound

Date of Birth

When were Irish Terriers first bred? How old is the Irish Terrier breed?

1700s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is an Irish Terrier?

Terrier (AKC:1885)(UKC)

Irish Terrier Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Irish Terrier eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Irish Terrier nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Irish Terrier coat be naturally?

Red
Cream
Fawn

Coat Length

How long is an Irish Terriers coat?

The coat of an Irish Terrier falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Irish Terrier Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of an Irish Terrier?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can an Irish Terrier have in a litter? How many puppies can an Irish Terrier have in her first litter?

12-15 puppies per pregnancy

An Irish Terrier can have a litter of 12-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Irish Terriers are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Irish Terrier Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Irish Terriers have a lot of health problems?

The Irish Terrier is a breed of dog that is known to have a higher frequency of health issues compared to other breeds. These issues can range from minor to serious, and regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential in order to identify and address any potential problems as early as possible.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning an Irish Terrier?

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Irish Terriers?

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Urolithiasis Irish Terrier
Hypothyroidism
Degenerative Myelopathy
Hyperkeratosis

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Irish Terrier breed?

Blood Test
Thyroid Tests
X-Rays
Eye Examination

Irish Terrier Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Irish Terriers have a lot of energy?

Irish Terriers are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Irish Terriers need socialization? How social are Irish Terriers?

Irish Terrier have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Irish Terriers get?

The Irish Terrier dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should an Irish Terrier have? Do Irish Terriers sleep a lot?

Irish Terriers are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does an Irish Terrier drool a lot?

The Irish Terrier is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Irish Terriers tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Irish Terriers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Irish Terriers mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of an Irish Terrier running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Irish Terrier dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Irish Terriers enjoy doing? How do I keep my Irish Terrier busy?

Walking, Run, Play, Tracking, Jumping, Jerking, Swim, Walk, Go to Beach, Music, Go Camping, Chase, Brushing

Activity Level

What is the energy level of an Irish Terrier? How much energy does an Irish Terrier have?

Medium

Irish Terriers are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should an Irish Terrier walk each week? How many miles should an Irish Terrier walk every week?

8 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Irish Terrier, it's at least 8 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much an Irish Terrier should exercise a day? How much activity does an Irish Terrier need?

60 minutes

In general most Irish Terriers usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for an Irish Terrier?

The Irish Terrier is a breed of dog that requires a significant amount of grooming. They will also require regular trims, and a professional groomer's help is often necessary to keep their coat in good condition. They may also need regular baths to maintain their coat and skin.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush an Irish Terrier?

Weekly

Irish Terrier should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Irish Terriers?

Pin Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does an Irish Terrier eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 25-27 pound (11 - 12 kg) Irish Terrier feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does an Irish Terrier Cost Daily?

$2.50 - $3.20 / day

The average cost of an Irish Terrier is somewhere $2.50 - $3.20 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does an Irish Terrier Cost Per Month?

$74 - $95 / month

The average per month expenses of an Irish Terrier is between $74 - $95. This makes an average of $888 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Irish Terrier Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is an Irish Terrier?

Irish Terriers has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Irish Terrier is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is an Irish Terrier dog?

Irish Terrier dogs have average emotions and are adaptable to different situations, not requiring extra care like sensitive breeds do.

Affection Dependance

Are Irish Terrier dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Irish Terrier do well in apartments? Are Irish Terriers good indoor dogs?

Irish Terriers are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are Irish Terriers good with kids? Are Irish Terriers good around children?

Irish Terriers are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Irish Terriers good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Irish Terriers good with cats? How friendly Irish Terriers are toward cats?

Irish Terriers are below average friendly toward cats. But with the right training and socialization, Irish Terriers can be good with cats,

Dog Friendly

Do Irish Terrier dogs get along with other dogs? Are Irish Terriers OK with other dogs?

Irish Terriers are below average dog friendly dogs. Irish Terrier dogs may not always get along well with other dogs they have not been raised with,

Pet friendly

How do Irish Terrier dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Irish Terriers friendly with strangers?

Irish Terriers are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Irish Terriers are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Irish Terriers will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Irish Terriers like to play? Are Irish Terriers playful?

The Irish Terrier is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your Irish Terrier is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Trainability

Are Irish Terrier easily trained?

Irish Terrier dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Size
    Irish Terrier are medium-sized dogs, making them a good size for families.
  • Personality
    Irish Terrier are energetic, friendly and make great companions.
  • Coat
    Irish Terrier have a dense, wiry coat that is naturally waterproof, making them great for hunting and outdoor activities.

Cons

  • Not suitable for office environment
    Irish Terriers are not generally considered to be office-friendly dogs.
  • Energy
    Irish Terrier are high energy dogs and require regular exercise.
  • Health concerns
    The Irish Terrier breed may be prone to certain health issues, similar to other breeds, such as Hip And Elbow Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Urolithiasis Irish Terrier, Hypothyroidism, Degenerative Myelopathy and Hyperkeratosis.
  • Not cat-friendly
    Irish Terriers are not recommended for households with cats.
  • Grooming
    Irish Terrier require regular grooming, including trimming and clipping. They have a unique, wire-haired coat that requires extra attention to maintain its appearance.