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Medium breed

Irish Terrier Puppies

Commonly described as the farmer’s friend, the terrier breed is one raised mainly to counter vermin. The Irish Terrier is one such breed which is widely believed to be native to Ireland. They serve as great watchdogs and have a reputation for being great companions. Discover more about our Irish Terrier puppies for sale below!

  • Great with kids
  • Active breed
  • Alert watchdog
  • Protective

We do not have Irish Terrier puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.

  • Adult weight 25–27 lbs
  • Height 18–20 in
  • Lifespan 12–15 years
  • Exercise 60 min a day
Irish-Terrier

About the Irish Terrier

The Irish Terrier is a spirited and affectionate breed, often captivating families with their charm and loyalty. Originating from Ireland, this medium-sized dog has a rich history as both a farm worker and a companion, renowned for their courageous nature and versatility. With a temperament that is generally friendly and playful, Irish Terriers thrive in family environments and often create strong bonds with young children. Their lively spirit makes them an excellent addition to active households, as they bring a vibrant energy that keeps everyone engaged and entertained.

Read more about the Irish Terrier Show less

In terms of exercise, Irish Terriers require regular physical activities to keep them happy and healthy. They enjoy outdoor adventures, whether it’s a brisk walk around the neighborhood or playtime in the yard. However, they can adapt to apartment living if properly exercised, as long as their energetic needs are met. Grooming is fairly manageable, as a weekly brushing will suffice to keep their distinctive coat in good condition, along with minimal shedding.

When it comes to training, Irish Terriers demonstrate a high level of intelligence and trainability, making them eager learners. They respond well to positive reinforcement methods and thrive on the mental stimulation that training provides. Socialization is also important in helping them develop a well-rounded personality, as they can be somewhat selective about their canine companions and may need gentle introductions to new pets. With their affectionate nature and moderate barking tendency, they are likely to make loyal companions, always ready to greet you with a wagging tail and an eager heart.

If you’re considering adding an Irish Terrier to your family, you can find these delightful dogs at Petland Lake St. Louis & Fenton, MO, where their sweet temperament and playful energy await to fill your home with joy.

Irish Terrier breed profile

Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.

Temperament

  • Affection Very affectionate
  • Playfulness Very playful
  • With strangers Warms up
  • Territorial Territorial
  • Prey drive Moderate

Family & other pets

  • Young children Good
  • Older children Good
  • Other dogs Sociable
  • Cats Needs care

Energy & exercise

  • Energy High
  • Mental stimulation High

Training

  • Trainability Quick to learn
  • Intelligence Very bright
  • Stubbornness A stubborn streak

Care & upkeep

  • Shedding Light
  • Drooling None to speak of
  • Barking Moderate

Home life

  • Apartment living Prefers a house
  • Time alone A few hours
  • Cold weather Comfortable
  • Warm weather Comfortable

A good match for

  • First-time owners Manageable
  • Senior owners Good
  • Running partner Good
  • Hiking Good
  • Therapy work Possible
  • Guarding Protective

Living with a Irish Terrier

Breed History

Historically, they have a reputation for fearlessness. They are nicknamed the ‘red daredevil’ which is a reference to the color of their coat and their stoutheartedness. The origin of the Irish Terrier is unknown.

They are believed to be a descendant of the black and tan-terrier variant dogs of Ireland and Britain. Albeit a conjecture, it is opined that they share bloodlines with the Irish Wolfhound. They were formerly of different colors and types.

Irish Terriers were raised to be thorough vermin killers. What they lacked in looks, they made up for in gameness and working qualities.

Just before the end of the 19th century, they were the first members of the terrier group to be acknowledged by the English Kennel Club. They would go on to the United States where they became quite popular.

Temperament

Irish Terriers are similar to the Irish Setter in temperament. They are energetic and instinctual. They are excellent watchdogs so they bark more than the average dog. Early socialization is beneficial to the Irish Terrier.

They are excellent with people when they receive early socialization training which also helps them become great family companions. They are not as active as the Irish Setters and can be quite relaxed when indoors.

They love relaxing with their owners. If in a home infested with vermin, then they can get rowdy indoors. They can be left alone indoors as they are a calm breed. They enjoy a variety of mental and physical challenges and can excel at different dog competitions.

Environment

Irish Terriers thrive well in a human-populated living space as they love to be around their owners. They are not as welcoming of strangers as the Irish Setter.

They love mental and physical challenges and as vermin hunters, they do well in environments where they can hunt down these rodents.

This reason is why they have been nicknamed the farmer’s friend, as earlier in history, they were popular on farmlands hunting down rodents that threatened farm crops and produce.

Being calm indoors, they can cope with people who stay away from home for a few hours a day. However, they prefer people who stay home during the day.

Irish terriers don’t do well with other dogs. They are known to be aggressive to canines of the same sex. They can be trained to live with cats, however.

They don’t back down from a fight and they fight to the point of serious injury to themselves or other canines. The size of other dogs cannot deter an Irish Terrier from baring its fangs.  They are great escape artists so you might consider raising your fences a little higher.

Exercise

Irish Terriers love the outdoors and would love to take a few minutes outside the walls of a house daily. They require exercise in the form of walks or jogs a few times a day. Activities like Frisbee tossing is great for them.

They love energetic plays. It is best to play with them in a well-secured area as they can easily get distracted by the sight of other dogs.

They have a love for water and can go swimming with you. It is not only fun but an exercising activity for them. They are swift and possess endurance and lack of exercise can make them difficult to stop if they become destructive.

Grooming

Irish Terriers do not shed heavily. It is advisable to brush their coat once a week to get rid of dead or loose hair to give them a clean look. Smoothing down the hair encourages blood flow to their follicles.

They have a water-repellent coat that is impregnable for dirt so bathing is not necessary for them. Bathe them only if the need arises. Their nails should be trimmed occasionally.

Our Irish Terrier puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.

The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Irish Terrier puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.

Caring for a Irish Terrier

Grooming
Weekly brushing
Grooming cost
Average
Monthly food
Average
Outdoor space
A yard is recommended
Allergy friendly
Not considered hypoallergenic

Irish Terrier Video

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I care for Irish Terriers perfectly?

Constant exercise and play will keep them healthy and active.

Do Irish Terriers shed a lot?

As mentioned earlier, they don’t shed heavily. Their shedding is minimal.

Do Irish Terriers have webbed feet?

Yes, they possess webbed feet.

Can I housebreak my Irish Terrier?

Irish Terriers can be housebroken as they are intelligent and respond well to training.

How should Irish Terriers be fed?

Irish Terriers exhaust their energy when playing so a diet of high-quality dry kibble is necessary. Dry food helps to avert oral health problems for them.

Should Irish Terriers be spayed and neutered?

This depends entirely on the owner. It is, however, inadvisable to do this at a young age.

Do Irish Terriers have common health problems?

They are prone to a severe skin condition called ichthyosis.

What is Irish Terriers life expectancy?

They have a life expectancy of about 13-15 years.

What is Irish Terriers average size?

Large adults have an average size of 11-12 kg.

How tall do Irish Terriers get?

A height of 48 cm is common for them but it is not unusual to see them grow an extra two centimeters.

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