Irish Terrier
愛爾蘭㹴
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Irish Terrier is the "daredevil" of Ireland, the only all-red terrier — a racy, long-legged farm dog that ratted, guarded and retrieved game, with a fiery coat and a temperament to match. Bold and dashing at work, it is tender-hearted, deeply loyal and gentle with its own people and great with children raised alongside it, but strong-willed, independent and often intolerant of other dogs, so it needs consistent training and a lead on every walk. The wiry coat is low-shedding and ideally hand-stripped.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 46cm |
| Weight | 11–12kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: terrier FCI: 3 |
| Role | Terrier |
| Coat | Wire coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 1/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Urinary stones
Urinary stones are reported in the breed; DNA tests exist for some forms. Ask your vet about diet and about any straining to urinate.
Cystinuria
Cystinuria (a cause of urinary stones) is reported in the breed; a DNA test exists. Ask your breeder about testing.
Hyperkeratosis (cracked footpads)
Hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis — hardened, cracked pads — is rare in North America but may be carried in dogs from European lines; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about the parents' status.
Behaviour
Stout-hearted at work, tender at home
The CKC calls the Irish Terrier a game dog that is affectionate, loyal and good-tempered — gentle and easy-going with those it loves, yet stout-hearted enough to guard family and possessions with courage; active, lithe and wiry, it lives with great animation and regular exercise is a must. The AKC summarises it as bold, dashing and tender-hearted.
Strong-willed, not a dog-park dog
The AKC says the Irish Terrier is very smart and willing to please but strong-willed, independent and challenging: early, consistent socialisation and obedience — reinforced for life — and firm boundaries for puppies are needed; it rates the breed 1/5 for getting on with other dogs. A fenced yard is ideal, otherwise several walks a day, always on a lead; obedience, agility, earthdog and flyball give its energy an outlet.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Irish Terrier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Irish Terrier (Terriers)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Irish Terrier
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Irish Terrier (standard no. 139, group 3)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health page explains its cystinuria work: after a 2015 case, analysis of a database of about 1,300 dogs suggested that dogs born since 2006 had roughly a 3.5% chance of being affected and 29% of being carriers, that only intact adult males appear to be affected, and that a committee now collects confidential blood samples in the hope of finding a gene marker so breeders can plan matings with no risk of affected puppies. Its puppy guide asks new owners to book a full veterinary check-up straight away with the breeder's medical records in hand.”
— Irish Terrier Club of America — Health & Research via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Irish Terrier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Irish Terrier — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Irish Terrier — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Irish Terrier — FCI standard no. 139 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Health & Research — Irish Terrier Club of America — Irish Terrier Club of America (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.