Irish Terrier

Archaeological finds of terrier bones on the Emerald Isle date back to the 5th century, but the first detailed descriptions of the Irish Terrier are from the 1860s. Several theories exist:

• Descendants of the “black-and-tan” Wire-haired Terrier, brought from England to control rats in the docks of Dublin.
• A mix of local farm dogs with the Lakeland Terrier and ancient Spanish hunting hounds.
• Intentional crossbreeding with the Welsh Terrier and the early Kerry Blue Terrier to create a “flexible all-rounder” for hunting otters and foxes.

After the First World War, the “Irishmen” served as medical dispatch riders in the British Army, where they gained a reputation as fearless messengers. Their popularity quickly spread across the Atlantic: by 1928, over 3,500 puppies were registered in the USA.

• Head: long, lean; the stop is moderately defined.
• Eyes: almond-shaped, deep brown, “lively and alert.”
• Ears: V-shaped, semi-pricked, with the tip pointing towards the outer corner of the eye.
• Coat: harsh “wiry,” up to 5 cm long, with a soft undercoat; only shades of red are permitted: from light wheaten to deep chestnut.
• Tail: high-set; was previously docked, but is now naturally left long.

The luxurious red colour has a genetic link to pheomelanin reserves, which is why the Irish Red looks so vibrant, even next to a Bernese Mountain Dog or an Austrian Black and Tan Hound.

The Irish Terrier is an energiser in the canine world. Its motto: “no day without an adventure.” A few key traits:

• Courage — never backs down from danger.
• Loyalty — chooses “its” owner once and for all.
• Independence — easily gets “lost” in the fields, straying hundreds of metres away.
• Playful spirit — adores frisbee, agility, and mantrailing.
• Territorial instinct — guards the garden without barking unnecessarily.

Despite a high irritation threshold, the “Irishman” forms a strong emotional bond with children aged 6+, happily joins in on jogs and cycling trips — but will not tolerate sharing a home with small rodents.

The key to success is play-based methods + minimal repetition. The breed gets bored with monotony quickly, so a “5 minutes of training — chase the ball — 5 minutes” session works better than a half-hour session. Use:

• a clicker and positive reinforcement;
• “role reversal”: the dog finds a hidden object — the human shares treats;
• nose work — their natural inclination for scent tracking.

The renowned dog trainer Kevin Billings calls the Irish Terrier a “partner, not a subordinate” — and this perfectly captures the essence of the breed.

Overall, the “Irishman” is hardy, but 3 risk areas require attention:

The vaccination schedule is standard, but it’s advisable to check antibody titres before vaccinations — a practice gaining popularity among European vets in 2025.

The harsh coat does not shed, but grows in cycles. To maintain the rich colour and healthy skin, follow this schedule:

1. Hand Stripping — manual “plucking” every 3 months; a machine is only used to trim the undercoat in hot weather.
2. Grooming brush with natural bristles — once a week.
3. Ear cleaning with lotion — twice a month.
4. Brushing teeth with enzymatic paste — three times a week.

Because of its high metabolism, the “Irishman” eats noticeably more than you would expect from a dog of this size — but the right amount is set by body condition, not by a table: the ribs should be easy to feel without pressing, and the waist should be visible from above. Choose a premium-class food with “lamb / salmon” as the protein source; chicken rarely causes a food reaction but can “soften” the coat’s pigment.

If you feed a home-prepared diet, have the calcium and phosphorus balance calculated by a veterinary nutritionist — it is the single thing owners most often get wrong, and excess calcium increases the risk of dysplasia in fast-growing adolescents. In a complete commercial puppy food that balance is already set to the published standards, so there is no need to add calcium on top.

• Agility — excels with its explosive speed.
• Canicross — running with a harness; an “Irishman” can cover 5 km at a pace of 4:30 min/km.
• Earthdog trials — competitions in artificial dens that revive the hunting instinct.
• Flyball — jumping over hurdles with a retrieve, balancing excitement and control.

• The first dog to cross the Atlantic by plane (in 1934) was an Irish Terrier named Aerial Pilot.
• The famous writer Jack London dedicated the short story “Brown Wolf” to the “Irishman,” describing this dog’s unwavering loyalty.
• British postmen in the 1920s called the breed “red sentinel” — the dog would guard the yard but never bite the postman if the owner had “properly introduced” them.
• The RSPO2 gene has been identified in the breed’s genome, which is responsible for the characteristic “beard” and eyebrows, but does not affect the length of the coat.

Is the Irish Terrier suitable for apartment living?
Yes, provided it gets two-hour walks and mental stimulation. Thanks to its compact size, the dog adapts flexibly to urban environments.

How much does an Irish Terrier puppy cost in the UK?
No precise answer is possible: it comes down to the individual litter and the individual breeder. Puppies must be bought directly from the person who bred them rather than through a third party, so it is on that visit that you check the registration papers, the parents’ health results and the conditions the litter was reared in. A pet-class puppy can be 30–40% cheaper.

Is it true that the breed is hypoallergenic?
The harsh coat sheds less and doesn’t “dust” as much, so allergens spread more slowly. However, no dog is completely hypoallergenic.