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Originally bred to kill vermin on farms, the Irish Terrier is distinguished by his solid red, dense, low-shedding coat and long, tall body. Courageous, loyal and lively, this breed is affectionate with his human companions but aggressive toward other dogs. The athletic Irish Terrier requires regular exercise in a fenced yard and several leashed walks per day.
DID YOU KNOW? One of the oldest terrier breeds, the Irish Terrier is a descendant of the ancient wirehaired black-and-tan terrier of Great Britain and the Irish Wolfhound. The Irish Terrier was recognized as a separate breed in 1875 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Irish Terrier was used as a messenger and sentinel during World War I.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Irish Red Terrier
| Life Span: | 13-15 years |
| Weight: | 11-12kg |
| Height: | Males are 48cm tall and females 46cm |
| Colours: | Red, red/wheaten or yellow/red |
| Size: | Medium |
| Kennel Club group: | Terrier |
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 4/5 |
| Easy to train: | 1/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 1/5 |
| Energy level: | 5/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 4/5 |
Despite their nickname - the ‘Red Devil’ - the Irish Terrier is a good-tempered, fun and devoted companion who are affectionate and highly bonded to their owners. They can however also be reckless and mischievous, are totally fearless, and have a reputation for being feisty with other dogs on occasion and may not be safe with cats or small furries.
Country of Origin: Ireland
The Irish Terrier is the oldest of the four Irish terrier breeds and was used as a watchdog and for pest control in the Cork area. They would happily take on everything from rats to badgers. They appealed to all walks of life and were kept by both commoners and nobility. Once known as the Irish Red Terrier, to avoid confusion between other Irish terrier breeds, this dog was also known as the Red Devil and was used as a messenger dog in the First World War where their bravery and tenacity became legendary. The breed’s exact origins are not known, but probably developed from the old black and tan terrier crossed with other local dogs.
Irish Terrier dogs are generally robust, healthy dogs. They do have a recognised hereditary condition called hyperkeratosis, where the footpads crack, however careful breeding means that this is now rare.
Irish Terriers need at least an hour of dog exercise each day - along with plenty of games with their owner and enrichment toys (which should ideally include a chance to dig and some scent work). This is a breed that needs to be able to explore the sights and scents of the countryside but as they may not always be good with unknown dogs, it is good to have access to open, dog-free areas where they can be let off the lead.
The Irish Terrier is a dog who can live in a small home and garden as long as they have access to good rural or open areas for exercise.
The Irish Terrier needs to have a balanced diet including all the main nutrient groups and a constant supply of fresh water. It's also important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed him at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of his particular food.
The harsh, wiry topcoat of the Irish Terrier is straight and lies flat, and there is a softer, finer undercoat. A brush through a couple of times a week will be needed, and the coat will also need to be handstripped (where the dead hair is plucked out) two or three times a year.
When it comes to dog training, the Irish Terrier is a clever dog who enjoys working with their owners and can be trained to quite a high standard - as long as they can be kept motivated and enthused using positive, reward-based methods. Dog socialisation should be early and ongoing to overcome any argumentativeness with other dogs, and a good recall should be prioritised. Neither of these should entirely be relied upon in the great outdoors however!
Like many terrier dog breeds, the Irish Terrier can lack patience with children - especially if overhandled or grabbed. They can however make good family dog where there are older, dog-aware children.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
