Irish Terrier
Solid red, and it earned the nickname daredevil honestly: it carried messages under fire in the First World War. It will not start a fight or leave one.
Photo by Sini Merikallio, CC BY-SA 2.0
Overview
The Irish Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds, always solid red, and it earned the nickname daredevil in the trenches of the First World War, where it carried messages under fire with a reputation for recklessness.
It is a longer legged terrier than most, built to run with horses as well as to work vermin, and it is unusually versatile for the group.
Temperament
Bold, loyal and famously scrappy with other dogs. Irish Terriers are devoted to their families and good with children in their own household, and they are among the more dog aggressive terriers.
That is the honest caveat. Same sex aggression is common and it is not a training failure. They are also intelligent, trainable and more biddable with people than most terriers, and they are excellent watchdogs.
Care and grooming
A hard wiry coat that needs weekly brushing and hand stripping two or three times a year. It should not be clipped. They shed very little.
The breed is generally healthy. Hyperkeratosis of the footpads has a DNA test, and cystinuria and hypothyroidism occur. Thirteen to fifteen years is good.
Living and exercise
An hour and a half a day plus mental work. They are athletic and they need a real outlet.
A secure fence and careful management around other dogs. They suit an experienced owner who wants a terrier with more leg and more range than the small ones offer.
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