Irish Terrier Dog Breed
Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier Quick Facts
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Introduction
The Irish Terrier, also known as the Irish Red Terrier, has a rich heritage as a working farm dog. It originally was bred to control vermin, guard rural Irish farms and families and work as a reliable and skilled hunting companion, both in water and on land. The distinctive Irish Terrier is one the oldest of the four terrier breeds and is the only terrier that is always red in color. The Irish Terrier was approved by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a member of its Terrier Group.
The average Irish Terrier stands approximately 18 inches at the shoulder. Males should weigh 27 pounds, and bitches should weigh 25 pounds, in top show condition. The short, wiry double coat of this breed acts as a tight, well-insulated, water-resistant jacket. It requires only moderate regular grooming but should be hand-stripped several times a year. Its color must be solid and can range from bright red to golden red, or from red wheaten to wheaten. A small splash of white on its chest is permissible but not desired.
Irish sporting terriers have been mentioned in ancient manuscripts for centuries. As one of the oldest terrier breeds, the exact origin of the Irish Terrier has been lost to history. However, it is widely believed that the breed descends from the wirehaired black-and-tan terriers that graced Great Britain in the 1700s. Wheaten Terriers have also been suggested as possible contributors to this breed. The Irish Terrier was bred to be a hardworking farm dog: a
Like most terriers, the Irish packs a lot of personality into a small body. They are lively dogs who love to play and like to hear themselves bark. They are quick to posture around other dogs and won't back down if challenged. In the home, they love to be the center of attention, and aren't above making mischief to receive the attention they crave. Irish Terriers have spunk and sass, and many owners swear their
The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized, well-proportioned terrier who gives an air of power without being heavy. The skull is flat and the muzzle long. The jaws are powerful, but the expressive, whiskered face softens the appearance of the dog and gives him a bit of character. The nose is black, the V-shaped ears fold forward and the eyes are small, dark, and capped with bushy eyebrows. The forelegs are long and straight and the
The saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Check out the many different Irish Terrier Pictures and Irish Terrier images. Get an in depth look at the Irish Terrier and see the many things that this breed has to offer.