Medium breed
Irish Terrier Puppies
Commonly described as the farmer’s friend, the terrier breed is one raised mainly to counter vermin. The Irish Terrier is one such breed which is widely believed to be native to Ireland. They serve as great watchdogs and have a reputation for being great companions. Discover more about our Irish Terrier puppies for sale below!
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- Exercise 60 min a day
About the Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier is a charming and spirited breed with a rich history that dates back over a century, originating from Ireland as a versatile working dog. These medium-sized dogs are known for their strong personalities and affectionate nature, making them excellent companions for families. With a high energy level and a playful demeanor, they thrive in an active environment and are particularly good with young children, forming deep bonds and enjoying endless games of fetch or tag in the backyard.
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Though they have a strong drive for physical activity, the Irish Terrier is adaptable enough to live in various settings, although they may not be the best fit for apartment living without ample exercise. Regular grooming is necessary to maintain their distinctive wiry coat, with weekly brushing helping to manage their moderate shedding. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them highly trainable, responding well to consistent commands and positive reinforcement.
Affectionate and loyal, Irish Terriers are known to form strong attachments to their families, often becoming protective guardians while still remaining friendly towards other dogs. They may take some time to warm up to unfamiliar cats, but with proper introduction, they can coexist peacefully. If you are searching for a spirited, loving pet that will keep you on your toes with their playful antics and endearing companionship, consider welcoming an Irish Terrier into your home. You might just find your new best friend right here at Petland Fairfield, Ohio.
Irish Terrier breed profile
Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.
Temperament
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Affection Very affectionate
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Playfulness Very playful
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With strangers Warms up
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Territorial Territorial
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Prey drive Moderate
Family & other pets
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Young children Good
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Older children Good
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Other dogs Usually fine
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Cats Needs care
Energy & exercise
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Energy High
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Mental stimulation High
Training
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Trainability Quick to learn
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Intelligence Very bright
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Stubbornness A stubborn streak
Care & upkeep
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Shedding Moderate
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Drooling Minimal
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Barking Moderate
Home life
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Apartment living Prefers a house
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Time alone A few hours
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Cold weather Comfortable
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Warm weather Average
A good match for
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First-time owners Manageable
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Senior owners Suitable
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Running partner Good
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Hiking Good
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Therapy work Possible
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Guarding Protective
Living with a Irish Terrier
Breed History
Historically, they have a reputation for fearlessness. They are nicknamed the ‘red daredevil’ which is a reference to the color of their coat and their stoutheartedness. The origin of the Irish Terrier is unknown.
They are believed to be a descendant of the black and tan-terrier variant dogs of Ireland and Britain. Albeit a conjecture, it is opined that they share bloodlines with the Irish Wolfhound. They were formerly of different colors and types.
Irish Terriers were raised to be thorough vermin killers. What they lacked in looks, they made up for in gameness and working qualities.
Just before the end of the 19th century, they were the first members of the terrier group to be acknowledged by the English Kennel Club. They would go on to the United States where they became quite popular.
Temperament
Irish Terriers are similar to the Irish Setter in temperament. They are energetic and instinctual. They are excellent watchdogs so they bark more than the average dog. Early socialization is beneficial to the Irish Terrier.
They are excellent with people when they receive early socialization training which also helps them become great family companions. They are not as active as the Irish Setters and can be quite relaxed when indoors.
They love relaxing with their owners. If in a home infested with vermin, then they can get rowdy indoors. They can be left alone indoors as they are a calm breed. They enjoy a variety of mental and physical challenges and can excel at different dog competitions.
Environment
Irish Terriers thrive well in a human-populated living space as they love to be around their owners. They are not as welcoming of strangers as the Irish Setter.
They love mental and physical challenges and as vermin hunters, they do well in environments where they can hunt down these rodents.
This reason is why they have been nicknamed the farmer’s friend, as earlier in history, they were popular on farmlands hunting down rodents that threatened farm crops and produce.
Being calm indoors, they can cope with people who stay away from home for a few hours a day. However, they prefer people who stay home during the day.
Irish terriers don’t do well with other dogs. They are known to be aggressive to canines of the same sex. They can be trained to live with cats, however.
They don’t back down from a fight and they fight to the point of serious injury to themselves or other canines. The size of other dogs cannot deter an Irish Terrier from baring its fangs. They are great escape artists so you might consider raising your fences a little higher.
Exercise
Irish Terriers love the outdoors and would love to take a few minutes outside the walls of a house daily. They require exercise in the form of walks or jogs a few times a day. Activities like Frisbee tossing is great for them.
They love energetic plays. It is best to play with them in a well-secured area as they can easily get distracted by the sight of other dogs.
They have a love for water and can go swimming with you. It is not only fun but an exercising activity for them. They are swift and possess endurance and lack of exercise can make them difficult to stop if they become destructive.
Grooming
Irish Terriers do not shed heavily. It is advisable to brush their coat once a week to get rid of dead or loose hair to give them a clean look. Smoothing down the hair encourages blood flow to their follicles.
They have a water-repellent coat that is impregnable for dirt so bathing is not necessary for them. Bathe them only if the need arises. Their nails should be trimmed occasionally.
Our Irish Terrier puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.
The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Irish Terrier puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.
Caring for a Irish Terrier
- Grooming
- Weekly brushing
- Grooming cost
- Average
- Monthly food
- Average
- Outdoor space
- A yard is recommended
- Allergy friendly
- Not considered hypoallergenic
Irish Terrier Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I care for Irish Terriers perfectly?
Constant exercise and play will keep them healthy and active.
Do Irish Terriers shed a lot?
As mentioned earlier, they don’t shed heavily. Their shedding is minimal.
Do Irish Terriers have webbed feet?
Yes, they possess webbed feet.
Can I housebreak my Irish Terrier?
Irish Terriers can be housebroken as they are intelligent and respond well to training.
How should Irish Terriers be fed?
Irish Terriers exhaust their energy when playing so a diet of high-quality dry kibble is necessary. Dry food helps to avert oral health problems for them.
Should Irish Terriers be spayed and neutered?
This depends entirely on the owner. It is, however, inadvisable to do this at a young age.
Do Irish Terriers have common health problems?
They are prone to a severe skin condition called ichthyosis.
What is Irish Terriers life expectancy?
They have a life expectancy of about 13-15 years.
What is Irish Terriers average size?
Large adults have an average size of 11-12 kg.
How tall do Irish Terriers get?
A height of 48 cm is common for them but it is not unusual to see them grow an extra two centimeters.
