IRISH TERRIER
APPEARANCE
The Irish Terrier is medium in size and well balanced. His head is long and flat with a strong well-muscled jaw filled with powerful teeth. Eyes are small and dark with an intense and intelligent expression. His ears are small and folded, falling forward from near the top of the head, adding to his alert and curious expression. The dog’s tail sticks up high and is docked one quarter off. The coat of these dogs has a wiry, harsh texture, and the coloring of the Irish Terrier is red (various shades) or wheaten. The weight of the Irish Terrier is around 25-27 pounds, and reaches around 18-20 inches in height.
PERSONALITY
The Irish Terrier is full of life, but not hyperactive. He is an active dog, and loves to be challenged mentally and physically. The Irish Terrier is a dog that is very loyal and friendly, yet also very determined and territorial. These dogs have spirit, courage, and plenty of energy, making them ideal as watchdogs, companions, and family pets.
TRAINING
Irish Terriers are intelligent and learn new things easily. They can learn complex tasks with relative ease, when they have the motivation to do so. If short sessions are made enjoyable they will encourage the Irish Terrier to want to learn as they have a high motivation to please their owners. Obedience training to a certain level is fairly easy and many Irish Terriers excel in agility.
EXERCISE
They need a lot of exercise since they are bred for active work. They thrive on family play sessions, securely leashed walks, and romping and running in a safely enclosed space.
SOCIALIZATION
The Irish Terrier is very protective of its family, to whom it is very loyal, and is generally aggressive toward other dogs small animals; do not leave an Irish Terrier alone with other pets unless it has been socialized with them from a young age. On the other hand, the Irish Terrier tends to get along well with children providing they are gentle and considerate. It is important to ensure that your Irish Terrier is socialized from an early age in order to promote a more stable temperament.
LIVING CONDITIONS
They will be okay living in an apartment provided they are sufficiently exercised. However, it is still recommended that they at least have a small yard to round around in. The Irish Terrier does well in most climates, but it should not be made to sleep outside.
GROOMING
This breed will need very minimal grooming as their coat is short and will not mat. Brushing should be done about once per week just to remove the dead fur and bathing about once every 2-3 months. Also, check the teeth and ears of the Irish Terrier regularly for cleanliness and to reduce the chances of infection and health problems. With proper grooming this breed is a low shedder, which means that he could prove ideal for those with allergies.
HEALTH ISSUES
Irish Terrier is a generally healthy breed. The life expectancy is around 13 - 14 years. Amongst the health problems to look out for are allergies, skin problems, eye problems, and urinary stones.
HISTORY
The Irish Terrier originated in Ireland and were bred to hunt rodents and otters but can also be used for retrieving. During the Great War their intelligence and courage made them the ideal choice for messenger dogs in the trenches. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1885.
