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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!

  • Great with kids
  • Active breed
  • Alert watchdog
  • Protective

We do not have Irish Terrier puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.

  • Adult weight 25–27 lbs
  • Height 18–20 in
  • Lifespan 12–14 years
  • Exercise 60 min a day
Irish-Terrier

About the Irish Terrier

The Irish Terrier is a vibrant and spirited breed, known for its rich history dating back to the late 19th century in Ireland. Originally bred as a versatile working dog, these charming terriers have earned their reputation as loyal companions and devoted family members. With their distinctive red coat and keen intelligence, they make an excellent addition to a household looking for a friendly and energetic dog.

Read more about the Irish Terrier Show less

Their temperament is affectionate and playful, making them a great fit for families, especially those with young children. Irish Terriers thrive on companionship and are known for being good around kids, often forming strong bonds with them. While they generally get along with other dogs, they can be somewhat reserved around cats, so early socialization is key. Their moderate barking tendency means they can alert you to visitors without being incessantly vocal.

In terms of energy levels, Irish Terriers require regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy, enjoying activities like walks, play sessions, and mental challenges. They are best suited for homes where they can receive ample attention and exercise, as they are not particularly well-suited for apartment living without ample outdoor time. Grooming is relatively manageable with monthly brushing to maintain their coat, and they are considered a moderate shedders.

When it comes to training, these dogs show impressive intelligence, making them eager learners who respond well to positive reinforcement. With their natural curiosity and love of mental engagement, Irish Terriers can excel in obedience training, dog sports, and even more advanced tricks. Their eagerness to please makes training an enjoyable experience for both the dog and the owner, solidifying the bond between them and creating a strong, lasting relationship.

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

  • Affection Very affectionate
  • Playfulness Very playful
  • With strangers Warms up
  • Territorial Somewhat
  • Prey drive Moderate

Family & other pets

  • Young children Good
  • Older children Excellent
  • Other dogs Usually fine
  • Cats Needs care

Energy & exercise

  • Energy High
  • Mental stimulation High

Training

  • Trainability Quick to learn
  • Intelligence Very bright
  • Stubbornness A stubborn streak

Care & upkeep

  • Shedding Moderate
  • Drooling Minimal
  • Barking Moderate

Home life

  • Apartment living Prefers a house
  • Time alone A few hours
  • Cold weather Comfortable
  • Warm weather Average

A good match for

  • First-time owners Manageable
  • Senior owners Suitable
  • Running partner Good
  • Hiking Good
  • Therapy work Possible
  • 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
Monthly brushing
Grooming cost
Low
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.

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