American Canine Association

Breeds

Irish Terrier


History

Though there is little documented information on what exact bloodlines created the Irish Terrier, we do know that this breed dates back thousands of years ago and was used primarily to hunt wild animals and pull them out of their dens and holes within the ground. This breed is very popular as a companion, working dog, hunting partner and police dog today in the United States.

Appearance

The Irish Terrier is a medium sized dog breed with males and females measured 25-27 pounds in weight and measuring up to 18 inches in height. This breed has a very rectangular shaped head, forming into a muzzle that is almost the same width as the skull. This breed has two medium, triangular shaped ears that are firmly folded forward at the top of their head. Their two small, round shaped eyes are generally a hazel to dark brown in color. Their general body build is rectangular, firm and active in appearance. Their tail is small and docked, making it stand firmly in the air. Their double coat is wiry, tight to the body and wavy to curly in appearance. Their coat is available in red, golden red, wheaten, and red wheaten.

Temperament

The Irish Setter is an extremely smart, active and 'always ready' type of breed, as with many Terrier types. This breed has a reputation for their spontaneity, level of bravery and for at times, being difficult to handle. This breed is not meant for everyone, however can do well with most owners who have dog and Terrier experience. Requiring a consistent, patient, firm pack leader at all times, the Irish Terrier can do well with children and other canines. This breed is not recommended for homes with non-canine pets due to their natural hunting instincts. This breed also has a natural instinct to dig, follow scents and can be difficult to housebreak.

Grooming

This breed does not shed on a regular basis. Daily brushing and bathing when needed. Professional grooming recommended at least twice a year.

Special Notes

This breed requires a properly fenced in area to run, play and roam within while outdoors at all times. Please fully research this breed prior to adding one to your household to ensure you are able to make a life long commitment both physically and financially to your new family member. All dogs originate from wolves (Canis Lupus). Each breed of dog was originally created by mixing different breeds together in an effort to bring forth certain characteristics. Once a breeder has created acceptable “breed characteristics” within their bloodline and these “breed characteristics” have shown to be reliably reproduced in the offspring for three (3) generations, the bloodline may be upgraded from the category of “foundation stock” to “pure-bred”. The same “pure-bred” breed standards vary from different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders. Dog DNA testing companies can have accurate results for a specific bloodline of a small colony of dogs. However, there are tens of thousands of different bloodlines in the world which have not yet been tested for marker baseline results by Dog DNA testing companies as of 2017. For this reason Dog DNA testing companies do not guarantee the 100% accuracy of their breed lineage results and will also show different marker results for the same pure-bred breed in different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders.

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