Irish Terrier Discussions

Irish Terrier

Here is some info from fellow Dogwebber Olive:

THE IRISH TERRIER – THE RED DAREDEVIL


"Once you get to know an Irish Terrier well enough to get acquainted with his personality, to recognize the depth of his love, to behold his proud almost swaggering carriage, his catlike grace of movement and blinding speed and coordination of muscle, and his magnificent courage and heart, and to see his unnerving intelligence displayed again and again, you will be convinced that the Irish Terrier is one of the most magnificent of God's creations in the dog family."

From "Long-Legged Irishman, Biography of a Terrier,"
by Byron N. Martin


Size: 18 inches at the withers (11-12 kg)

Colour: Any shade of red, red wheaten, wheaten

Coat: A hard wiry coat with a softer undercoat beneath – of broken appearance.

Exercise: Irish Terriers are an active breed and are suited to active families. An Irish Terrier if given the chance will exercise all day without tiring. These dogs were bred to work and they don’t let you forget it.

Grooming : The coat requires handstripping 3 or 4 times a year. Handstripping is essential to maintain colour and texture and to prevent skin troubles like hot spot and seborrhoea

Other info: Irish Terriers may chase and kill small pets, They may get on with cats if raised with them.
The Irish are gentle with children and make wonderful fun playmates for well-behaved children. If given the chance an Irish Terrier will play hard and so play must be supervised



The Irish Terrier is said to have originated from Country Cork in Ireland and is considered to be one of the oldest terrier breeds, possibly even two thousand years old. Many historians of the breed suggest links to the Irish Wolfhound, particular when considering coat colour and texture, and the Ancient Terrier of Great Britain. The earliest images of a similar terrier in Ireland are found in paintings of the 1700's, although these terriers would not be recognisable as Irish Terriers today. The Irish was used as an all round working terrier on the farms in Ireland. He was a strong and determined hunter of den animals such as otter and rat. Even in those days he undertook the role of family friend and guardian, a role he fulfils with vigour to this day. In old Irish manuscripts he was referred to as “the poor man’s sentinel, the farmer’s friend and the gentleman’s favourite”

It was in the 1870’s that the Irish Terrier emerged as a separate breed in the show rings, with the standardisation of the breed being set around 1879 by the first Irish Terrier Breed Club. The Irish very quickly became a popular dog among people from all walks of life, his readiness and intelligence won him favour as a loyal and courageous family friend and terrific worker. It was these attributes that saw the Irish Terrier shipped to France during the First World War, where he performed the role of guard and patrol dog as well as messenger. There have been many stories written about the bravery of the Irish during the war, some heart-warming and others very poignant.

Today’s Irish Terriers are generally kept as family dogs, however their love and need to work is always evident. It is for this reason that the Irish Terrier requires a strong and capable owner that understands the drive and determination behind the breed. The Irish can be a handful if left to its own devices, early socialising and firm but fair training is a must. The Irish is an independent and free thinker – a free spirit – and the owner must be aware that in its eyes the Irish will always know better. The Irish Terrier has received, an often, unfair press among the showing fraternity as being an upstart and too ready to react to a challenge from other dogs – hence the title Daredevil. This is not always the case and should not be taken as read, granted the Irish will not back down from a challenge but they are not known to start fights, they are not scrappy dogs – new owners must be aware of this and take steps to ensure that their dog is properly controlled.

The Irish is also considered a very healthy breed. Hyperkeratosis (cracked paws) is present in the breed, but cases are rare and breeders ensure that steps are taken to eradicate the problem as soon as it arises. The life expectancy of the breed is anywhere from 12-16 years, however it is not unheard of for dogs to live longer.

For the right family an Irish Terrier is a faithful and loyal friend who will protect his family with everything his soul has to give. His true and undying devotion to his master and family is unequalled. A true “Mick” has spirit, a love for life and a fire in his eyes that is as mystical as the land of his fathers.

XXXXXX Joanne and Wee Olive(the red daredevil :smt077 )

Just a few photos of my Irish, Olive. Off now to start writing a description. :?
[img-big]http://img14.photobucket.com/albums/v43/olivetor/Camera_3_020big.jpg[/img-big]
[img-big]http://img14.photobucket.com/albums/v43/olivetor/DCP_0571.jpg[/img-big]
[img-big]http://img14.photobucket.com/albums/v43/olivetor/DCP_0523big.jpg[/img-big]
[img-big]http://img14.photobucket.com/albums/v43/olivetor/DCP_0551.jpg[/img-big]


"Once you get to know an Irish Terrier well enough to get acquainted with his personality, to recognize the depth of his love, to behold his proud almost swaggering carriage, his catlike grace of movement and blinding speed and coordination of muscle, and his magnificent courage and heart, and to see his unnerving intelligence displayed again and again, you will be convinced that the Irish Terrier is one of the most magnificent of God's creations in the dog family."

From "Long-Legged Irishman, Biography of a Terrier,"
by Byron N. Martin

Joanne and Wee Olive

fantastic pics Olive, make sure u post them in the 'your pictures' section too as thats where most people will see them

aww what a darling!

Here's a couple of picture of Connor, Olive's brother -

[img-big]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/olivetor/Picture223.jpg[/img-big]
[img-big]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/olivetor/Picture222.jpg[/img-big]

Lovely looking dog.

Some more piccies of the lovely Olive

Olive the Vampire Slayer:

Still want her Anne?

Aww Joanne Olive is a sweetie! I want her!! :smt049

She is fantastic!!!! stunning!

I love that photo of her - she is so beautiful

Love the look of irish terriers. Do they get on with other dogs, read somewhere that they don't, but don't know how true or not that is? Maybe you could shed some light.

Beautiful dogs, really lovely.

lovely pics they remind me of my uncle brian .. ( told you all i was strange )

Bongo at 7 weeks old.

These are just repeats from other threads, but I will be adding to them as soon as I get more pics (I am a very proud Irish Terrier owner)








And here's one of the whole litter when we first met them. They were 3.5 weeks old at the time.

Fantastic!! Looks a real cracker, look forward to her growing up.
Dawn.