Irish Terrier

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 13-15 years
The Irish Terrier is considered to be a generally healthy breed, and many of the previous problems and concerns associated with this breed have been bred out. But, as with any breed, there are some medical concerns that you need to know about. This breed can have incidences of minor allergies, cataracts, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism.

It is not uncommon for your Irish Terrier to have minor allergies. These allergies can be for a number of reasons from something in the air to something they ate. Allergies are not too common, but it would not be unheard of for your pup to have them.

Cataracts can develop in your Irish Terrier and are of concern because they can lead to blindness. Typically, cataracts form over time, but your pup can be born with them as well. If a cataract does not form due to disease, then it will form due to trauma to the eye.

Hip dysplasia is not too much of a concern in the Irish Terrier because this is a small breed, but it doesn’t mean that it cannot occur. Hip dysplasia is a concerning condition because it can become very painful for your pup and lead to crippling.

Lastly, hypothyroidism is another condition that your Irish Terrier may have, and it occurs when the thyroid is not working correctly. This can lead to a poor metabolism or an overactive metabolism, which results in obesity or trouble gaining weight.

The average life span of the Irish terrier is 13-15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Irish Terrier is a charismatic dog that likes to run, jump, play, and have a good ole time. This breed is active outdoors but knows how to calm down inside and take a much softer approach to life. This pup does have a fair bit of energy; it is best to allow them time outdoors where they can expel this built up energy. You should also walk them once or twice per day.

You will find that your Irish Terrier is fun loving and entertaining. There will never be a dull moment in your home, and you will be smiling from ear-to-ear as your pup runs around and feeds on your laughs and giggles.

The Irish Terrier is an affectionate pup and makes a wonderful breed for any home. Your dog will get along with children and seeks attention from those who are in his or her family. This breed does not do well alone and should be paired in a home where there is someone home at all times.

You will find that your pup has an even temper and is able to adapt to any situation. Your pup is going to be a bit wary of strangers, but with early socialization, you can help control the need to protect or become aggressive with those who your pup does not know.

Training this pup is considered to be a bit more on the difficult side. In fact, you may want to hire a trainer to help get your pup trained. It is important that you are 100 percent committed to training your pup, and you must be willing to remain consistent at all times. With the proper training, your pup will learn to respond to your commands and perform the things you ask him or her to do.

Grooming

Your Irish Terrier has moderate grooming needs. This breed is not known to shed a lot, so you will not have to clean your home constantly to keep hair gone. Your Irish Terrier does need to be either clipped or stripped on a regular basis, and a professional groomer can do this if you prefer.

A bath is only necessary when your pup is either dirty or has a bad odor. You may find that your pup’s skin is sensitive, so choose a hypoallergenic shampoo or a mild shampoo.

You need to clean your pup’s ears at least once a week to remove any buildup that may occur. When it comes to cleaning your pup’s ears, make sure you only clean the outside of the ear and never stick anything into the ear, as this can result in injury.

Lastly, you need to make sure that you trim your pup’s nails at least once per month or as needed to keep them at a healthy length. Overgrown nails are painful and can easily snag on carpet.

Diet

Your Irish Terrier will consume anywhere between 3/4 cup and 1.5 cups of food per day. You need to make sure you choose a high-quality food that does not contain any fillers or chemicals. The dry kibble you select should meet the nutritional needs of your pup.

For example, if your pup has a lot of energy, his or her food should contain more protein and less calories, whereas an inactive dog needs to have a low fat and low-calorie kibble to ensure he or she does not become obese.
 

Find An Irish Terrier Breeder

Irish Terrier Puppies For Sale

Adopt An Irish Terrier

Cost

An Irish Terrier puppy will cost you an average of $650. You will find that the price varies, but the price does not signal to whether or not your pup is healthy. You should factor in additional costs to the price before you decide on a breed. Other costs include veterinarian care, vaccines, and food.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. If you want a pup who knows how to make you smile and keep you entertained, this is the breed for you. The Irish Terrier is great with children and loves to be part of a family. You will find that your pup seeks out attention from you and tries to cuddle with you every day. The Irish Terrier has a lot of energy and will engage in a game of fetch or tug-o-war. Training can be challenging at times. This breed ranks a 2.

 

Airedale Terrier

Scottish Terrier

Glen of Imaal Terrier

Wire Fox Terrier