Background:
The Irish Terrier is thought to be around 2000 years old, though its existence was not clearly documented till about 400 years ago. With a happy, carefree, devil may care attitude, this breed does everything with abandon, chasing after small animals for which it was originally bred or rollicking around with the kids during playtime. Today as with a lot of terrier breeds, the Irish Terrier is more of a companion than a hunter or ratter.
Personality:
An exceptionally courageous breed, this is a happy dog that loves to play with its family, needing nothing more than their attention to keep it content. It serves also as an excellent alarm dog, barking at anything suspicious. This breed makes a wonderful companion in any apartment or at any farm.
Physical Appearance:
| Height | 17" - 18" |
| Weight | 25 - 27 lbs |
| Coat | Dense, wiry outer coat with a soft under coat |
| Color | Red, golden red, red-wheaten or wheaten |
| Head | Long, proportionate to the body with a flat skull and a strong jaw |
| Ears | Small, V shaped, drops forward |
| Eyes | Dark brown |
| Body | Moderately long with well sprung ribs and muscular loins |
| Tail | Docked, with a quarter taken off, covered with rough hair |
Links to Breed Resources
