Irish Terrier

Irish Terriers are wonderfully loyal, good tempered and affectionate with people.

About the Irish Terrier

Endurance is an essential quality, alongside power. The Irish Terrier is rather elegant and sleek, suggesting swiftness of movement. These are hard workers that can do most anything asked of them: they excel as farm dogs, companions, guard dogs, gun dogs.

The Irish Terrier’s reputation as a brawler is undeserved. While these dogs can be fierce when needed, they are easy to train and gentle companions, warranting an early description as “a poor man’s sentinel, the farmer’s friend and gentleman’s favourite”.

Source: key facts and characteristics sourced from Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Breed specifics

Country
Ireland
Group
FCI Group 3, AKC Terrier Group
Size category
Medium
Avg life expectancy
12–16 years

Intelligent / Confident / Lively / Playful / Loyal / Even-tempered / Loving

Key facts

  • Requires moderate grooming
  • Makes a great family dog
  • Needs little training
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