Irish Terrier
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Find Irish Terrier BreedersGet to Know Irish Terriers
- Deep Bonds: Unlike some terriers that are more independent, the Irish Terrier is known for its deep loyalty and affection toward its family. They’re often described as sensitive and emotionally in tune with their owners.
- One of the Oldest Terrier Breeds: The Irish Terrier is considered one of the oldest terrier breeds, with documented roots in Ireland dating back to the 1800s. It likely predates many of the more common terriers we know today.
- Brave Wartime Messengers: During World War I, Irish Terriers served as messenger dogs on the battlefield. Their courage and reliability under fire earned them a reputation as brave and dependable war heroes.
- Nicknamed the “Daredevil”: Known for their fearless and spirited nature, Irish Terriers have been affectionately dubbed the “Daredevils” of the dog world. They’re bold, alert, and always ready to take on a challenge.
- Fiery Red Coat: The breed is instantly recognizable by its striking red coat, which ranges from golden red to deep rust. This signature color became more uniform through selective breeding in the late 19th century.
Breed History
The Irish Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds, with origins tracing back to Ireland in the 19th century. Bred as an all-purpose farm dog, the Irish Terrier was valued for its courage, intelligence, and versatility—used for guarding property, hunting vermin, and even carrying messages across battlefields during World War I. Often referred to as the “Daredevil” of the dog world, this breed was admired for its bold yet loyal nature. It was officially recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in the late 1800s and gained popularity in both Britain and North America for its striking red coat and spirited character.
Personality and Behaviour
- Bold & Spirited: known for their fearless approach to life and strong sense of purpose. Originally bred as all-purpose farm dogs, they still carry the confident, alert nature that made them excellent hunters and watchdogs. They're always ready for action and tend to be curious and adventurous, with a strong drive to explore their environment.
- Loyal & Affectionate: They are affectionate with their families. Irish Terriers form close bonds and thrive on human companionship, often becoming very attached to one person in particular. Their emotional sensitivity means they respond best to calm, respectful interactions and can be surprisingly intuitive to their owner's moods.
- Early Socialization is Key: While friendly with people, Irish Terriers can sometimes be wary of unfamiliar dogs and may show a bold or assertive attitude if not properly introduced. They typically do best with other pets when raised alongside them, and their strong prey drive means smaller animals should be carefully supervised. With the right guidance, they can be well-mannered and sociable companions.
Care
- Grooming: Irish Terriers have a dense, wiry coat that’s designed to be weather-resistant and relatively low-shedding. To maintain its texture and prevent matting, their coat should be brushed weekly and hand-stripped a few times a year. Routine grooming like nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care should also be part of their upkeep.
- Exercise: This is a highly active breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay physically and mentally balanced. Long walks, playtime, and off-leash runs in secure areas are ideal. Without enough activity, Irish Terriers may become bored and resort to digging, barking, or other unwanted behaviours.
- Training: Irish Terriers are intelligent and quick learners but can also be independent and strong-willed. They do best with consistent, positive reinforcement training and benefit from early socialization. Their sensitive nature means they respond poorly to harsh corrections, but thrive when treated with respect and patience.
Irish Terrier Summary
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GroomingWhat to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Irish Terrier Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | One of the following: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA. |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | Autoimmune Thyroditis Evaluation from an approved Lab. Results registered with OFA. |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | One of the following: DNA based test results from an approved lab (per ISCA: Paw Print Genetics or Wisdom Health) Irish Setter Genetic Registry (ISGR) |
How Much Does It Cost to Own an Irish Terrier Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning an Irish Terrier is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Irish Terrier
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Irish Terrier puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Irish Terrier, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether an Irish Terrier is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.
