The Irish Terrier is a hardy and dashing medium-sized terrier with a fiery red coat. One of the oldest terrier breeds, the Irish Terrier was originally bred for hunting vermin and is known to be a tough and plucky dog, with an affectionate nature.
They are strong dogs, without being heavy, have long legs and possess a more racy and streamlined form than many other terrier breeds. They have a long head with a strong jaw, intelligent dark brown eyes and small v-shaped ears that drop forward and a tough, wiry coat of golden red. This is a breed that has boundless energy and is bursting with spirit. They are playful, fun and affectionate and very people-orientated. They will be devoted to their family and get on well with children they know. They like to be the dominant dog and can be somewhat reckless when interacting with other dogs, making early socialisation and training at a young age very important. They may accept a cat that they are raised with but they dont fare so well with other household pets, which they will want to chase. With their happy disposition and affectionate nature, the Irish Terrier makes a wonderful and fun companion for all types of owners.
History
The Irish Terrier’s origins are not clear. It is believed to have descended from the black and tan terrier-type dogs of Britain and Ireland and was used by Irish farmers to hunt vermin, as a guard dog for the family and as a companion. Over the years, selective breeding was used to make the red coat the identifying feature of the breed.
