The Irish Terrier originated in Ireland and were bred to hunt rodents and otters but can also be used for retrieving. Today they are primarily companion dogs but still have their hunting instincts! Their most obvious ancestors were the Black and Tan Terriers that originated in Britain.

This breed has a long rectangular muzzle and small floppy ears. Their body is lean yet muscular and their legs are straight but toned to allow them quick starts to hunt down their prey. Naturally their tail is long and slender but for show purposes will be docked. The Irish Terrier has a scruffy appearance but was intentionally bred to have these characteristics.

These dogs are brave, temperamental yet completely free-spirited. They have a deep connection with their owners and will show affection and loyalty to them at all times. These dogs are curious little creatures and enjoy exploring new territory as well as hunting for small animals because they have such a very high prey drive!

The Irish Terrier will come in a solid wheat, red or a gold colouring. Most commonly seen is the golden colour.

This breed has a short, harsh textured coat that consists of two layers. The top coat is dense and wiry to the touch while the under coat is much softer and thicker keeping this breed warm during the colder temperatures.

The Irish Terrier is an energetic, fun loving dog that loves to be around their families. They have a bit of a temper and can be quite stubborn if a situation doesn’t suit them. This breed will be an excellent dog for families but would be best suited if there are no other pets in the household. Irish Terriers tend to be a bit more aggressive around other dogs and will consider small pets such as hamsters, mice, and guinea pigs etc. prey.

These dogs are not barkers but have good reason to when they do, making them good watchdogs. This breed is not only a great working and family dog, but they will also excel in agility, obedience, and tracking trials.

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. The Irish Terrier is prone to cataracts, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism. They are generally a very healthy breed with few genetically inherited diseases.

The Irish Terrier will need a firm owner who is consistent with basic obedience. They are intelligent dogs but need repetition and gentle training methods to grasp the obedience concept. 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.

The Irish Terrier will need a long walk every day and also time spent in an off-leash area where they can run around. They are quite energetic dogs so about an hour or two of exercise daily will be needed to tire them out. These dogs will do well in an apartment if they get daily exercise. A fenced in backyard would be perfect so they can have an outdoor area at home to roam around in.