Irish Terrier

History of the Irish Terrier breed

Ireland has given a start in life to four varieties of terriers, each of which has a unique exterior and does not look at all like its English relatives. As for the Irish Terrier itself, there are almost no written sources that can shed light on the origins of the breed. Yes, theoretically, the "Irish" remain the oldest pets that appeared in the "land of shamrocks and leprechauns" almost at the dawn of our era. However, the proof of this statement is vague excerpts from ancient manuscripts, which are often too subjective and evaluative to take them for documentary descriptions.

The breed began to really develop from the second half of the XIX century. So, in 1875, its representatives lit up at an exhibition in Glasgow, and a year later – at a similar event in Brighton, England. In 1879, the animals got their own club with headquarters in Dublin, which added points to them in the eyes of breeders. At the same time, it is important to understand that the dogs of those years were inferior to today's individuals in terms of external indicators. For example, the necks of the first "Irish" were more massive, the muzzles were voluminous, and the bodies were not so athletic. In addition, at first the animals were docked not only tails, but also ears.

At the end of the XIX century, Irish terriers were recognized by the English Kennel Club, which equalized their rights with other breeds. However, the real finest hour was waiting for the natives of the Emerald Isle on the fronts of the First World War, where they were used as messengers. In the confusion that reigned in the fields, confusing even the calmest dogs, Irish terriers never lost their nerve and were ideally suited to the role of mine seekers and assistants to the orderlies.

After the war, the popularity of terriers began to decline, and by the early 30s it became almost impossible to find a reference "Irishman" at exhibitions. The breeding bases of European nurseries – the main suppliers of purebred producers - have also been extremely reduced. Concerned about the impending degradation of the breed, dog handlers and amateurs tried to return to her philistine interest. So, in 1933, merchant Gordon Selfridge even organized an exhibition of Irish terriers in the pavilions of his own department store.

Irish terriers came to Russia after the Great Patriotic War. In particular, the first representative of this family was brought to the USSR in the late 1940s. It was not easy to get the appropriate male for the red-haired "emigrant", so at first the bitch was knitted with Kerry blue and Welsh fox terriers. But already in the 50s, the Polish kennel solved the problem of breeding the breed in Russian realities. It was he who handed over to the union a pair of "Irish" males, who were later joined by individuals from the GDR. For several decades, the blood of the domestic livestock has been systematically refreshed, but Irish terriers of the "Soviet spill" were still not quoted at international exhibitions. Only after British producers were imported into the country in 1997, the breed acquired a more refined appearance, having received admission to European rings.

Video: Irish Terrier

Irish Terrier Breed Standard

Irish terriers have the appearance of classic athletes: a dense muscular torso, strong, moderately long legs, a strong back. They are certainly not image pets, but rather born hard workers, in which every muscle is sharpened for a single action - a rapid run. Another distinctive feature of the Irish Terrier breed is its unique coat, which performs the function of a tracksuit and chain mail at the same time. It is the rigid dogskin that protects the dog's body from scratches and minor injuries during hunting, and also has dirt- and water-repellent functions. The Irish Terrier belongs to medium–sized breeds, the height at the withers of adult dogs is 45-48 cm, the average weight is 11-13 kg.

Head

The flat, long skull of the Irish Terrier tapers smoothly towards the muzzle. The stop is weakly expressed, noticeable only when examining the animal in profile. Cheekbones without obvious relief.

Jaws and teeth

Strong, strong jaws provide a good grip. The teeth of the Irish Terrier are white, healthy. The desired bite shape: the upper incisors slightly overlap the lower ones.

Nose

The lobe is medium-sized and necessarily black.

Eyes

The Irish Terrier has small and very dark eyes. The dog's look is lively, quick-witted. Extremely not welcome: lightened or yellowish colors of the iris.

Ears

Miniature triangular dog ears look forward and hang down, close to the cheekbones. The ear cloth is of moderate thickness, the fold of cartilage is located above the forehead line.

Neck

The neck of the Irish Terrier is distinguished by a good length and a high, proud delivery. Representatives of this breed do not have a traditional suspension, but there are small folds on the sides of the neck-frills of wool reaching to the lower line of the skull.

Housing

Dogs of this breed have a harmonious body: not short, but not excessively stretched. The back is very strong, with a well-muscled, even loin. The chest of the "Irishman" gives the impression of being strong and deep, but its width and volume are small.

Limbs

The legs of Irish terriers look slender and elegant, but at the same time they are devoid of excessive fragility. The shoulders of the animal are elongated, placed at the correct angle. The forearms are bony, moderately elongated and straight, the pasterns are inconspicuous, short and even. The hind limbs of the dog are distinguished by massiveness and solidity. Thighs are strong, fleshy. Knees with very moderate angles, metatarsals lowered low. The paws of representatives of this breed are relatively small, but strong. The shape of the paw is rather rounded, with curved fingers ending in strong black claws.

Tail

The uncooped tail of the Irish Terrier is strong, of good length. In purebred individuals, the tail is set high, noticeably raised (not above the back line) and does not form a steep bend. Despite the prohibition of cupping by European cynological associations, some adherents of traditions continue to shorten this part of the body to their wards. According to an unspoken law, the tail is stopped by no more than ⅓.

Wool

The stiff coat of the Irish Terrier lies flat, does not bristle, but has a characteristic fracture. The hair grows thickly, therefore, even by pushing it apart with your hands, it is not always possible to see the dog's skin. According to the standard, the wool should not be long or distinctly curly and hide the outline of the silhouette of the animal. The hair on the terrier's head is much shorter than on the rest of the body. There is a small beard on the muzzle.

Color

The traditional suits of the breed are red, reddish-golden, wheat-red. Small markings of white wool on the chest are not considered as a serious drawback.

Disqualifying breed defects

• Bite defects: severe overbite or, conversely, underbite.
• Light (depigmented) nose lobe.
• Any coat color, except those approved by the standard.
• Paw pads covered with calloused growths or with cracked skin.

Character of the Irish Terrier

As a true native of the "land of leprechauns and red-haired bullies", the Irish Terrier is hot-tempered, energetic and inexhaustible in all sorts of inventions. Fans of the breed claim that at least three canine personalities get along in its representatives, each of which is the complete opposite of the others. In particular, in terms of work, Irish terriers are unparalleled hard workers, familiar with concepts such as responsibility and diligence firsthand. Guarding the house or searching for psychotropic substances, badger baiting or cutting circles around the cinema – the Irish terrier undertakes all of the above with primordial zeal and absolutely the same fuse.

But as soon as the official tasks are over, the dog's behavior changes dramatically. An attentive worker and hunter immediately gives way to a mischievous clown and actor, whose "numbers" sometimes cause laughter, and sometimes a desire to give a good kick to the restless prankster. So, for example, Irish terriers are not only unsurpassed runners, but also incredible jumpers, so quietly stealing a cookie or sausage from the table for the breed is not something that is not a problem, but a primitive trick. All kinds of latches and hooks for the "Irish" are fun puzzles that need to be sorted out as soon as possible. The end result of such a quest is usually the same: doors wide open and a pet hiding in an unknown direction.

In their free time from work and entertainment, red-haired rascals prefer to mimic with the environment, so if you haven't noticed an Irish terrier in the room, it doesn't mean that it's not there. Most likely, he has successfully merged with the interior and is lying impressively in a corner. The Irish Terrier is a self–sufficient and proud breed, so don't expect the pet to need your approval before doing something. On the other hand, these energetic athletes are strongly attached to the person they consider their master. Moreover, they are ready to fully adapt to the lifestyle of the owner, even if he does not always meet their natural inclinations. Do you like car trips? Your "Irishman" will willingly fall apart in the front seat and will enthusiastically stick his muzzle out the side window, catching the wind with his mouth. Do you prefer a more healthy vacation? The red-haired smart guy will not refuse to run and get a bike.

The Irish Terrier is lenient towards children, provided that he has lived and been brought up with them since puppy age. No, he is not a trouble-free supernanny, but he is quite a good animator who knows how to support a game or a secret outing outside the apartment. In addition, he is able to endure not the most careful treatment from the little ones, for example, tugging on the tail or an accidentally pressed paw. However, the dog will restrain the negative only if it is a one-time "bonus", and not systematic bullying. But with other four-legged "Irish", unfortunately, does not add up. Cats for them are the number 1 target, subject to immediate destruction; dogs are potential rivals who need to be put in place as often as possible. So finding a pleasant companion for an Irish terrier among his fellow tribesmen is quite a task.

Education and training

The learning abilities of Irish Terriers are, if not phenomenal, then very impressive. The only problem is to awaken the animal's desire to engage. Experienced dog handlers advise to rely on the natural curiosity of the breed and its interest in new activities. For the company of a beloved owner, a dog will turn mountains, especially if the owner is not too lazy to diversify the learning process with game moments. On the other hand, it is better not to slip into frank familiarity with representatives of this family. Irish Terriers are aware of what leadership is, and they strive for it very much. If the "Irishman" is the only pet in the house, then in the absence of more suitable competitors at hand, he will willingly compete for spheres of influence with his own master.

It will be necessary to select a training program for the Irish terrier depending on the type of activity carried out by the animal. For example, the course for search and rescue dogs is very different from the complex of classes attended by sentry individuals. As for sports training, you can master coursing, agility, dog frisbee and skidjoring with Irish terriers. Today's "Irish" are rare to meet on the hunt, but this is more likely due to the unpopularity of the breed as a whole than because of the lost stalking skills. If necessary, to train a dog to work on a blood trail, fishing out a stricken bird from a reservoir and its subsequent aportirovka is quite a feasible task.

It is better not to delay the training and upbringing of the dog, because in the first months of life the Irish terrier puppies are more pliable, more obedient, and the owner for them is still an indisputable authority. So grow up the ward a little and start learning the basics of OKD. By the way, training in a classic form will not suit the "Irish". To execute a command only because a person requires it, animals consider it beneath their dignity. Usually breeders recommend talking more with pets, explaining to them the expediency of a particular requirement. Walking with an Irish terrier to the training grounds is also not prohibited, but you can't count on outstanding success from classes. Red-haired sly people quickly figure out what's what, and begin to evade the "obligation" in every possible way. Keep in mind, this breed strives to work fully, and not make-believe, so it perceives any group classes as an unnecessary performance.

It is believed that Irish terriers do a good job with ZKS, but it is important to soberly assess the situation here. Due to the rather modest dimensions of a full-fledged security dog will not come out. However, if your goal is to scare away small hooligans, why not try it. The main thing is that the pet responds quickly and correctly to the call. Do not forget that the Irish Terrier is a gambling dog, often going into a rage and ignoring any external stimuli. It is optimal if it is possible to delegate the training of an animal to a professional who will develop an individual ZKS program for it. The fact is that the standard standards approved for service breeds will not suit the "Irish" – the complexion is not the same.

You should be extremely careful about punishing your pet. Of course, in the upbringing of any animal, one method of gingerbread can not do, but in the case of Irish terriers, it is sometimes better to close your eyes to a harmful trick than to cause negative emotions in the dog. Moreover, the memory of the breed is excellent, and the "Irishman" fixes all the injustices in his mind for a long time. Accordingly, no matter how carefully and effectively you work with a dog, you will not be able to train an exemplary soldier out of it, automatically executing any command. After all, that's not what Irish Terriers were bred for. It is better to give the ward more freedom, and he will definitely respond to you with respect and diligence.

Maintenance and care

Irish Terriers are not purchased to be chained up and put in a booth. Of course, the breed did not become completely decorative, but its working status has long been transformed into a sports companion. If we are talking about ideal dog housing, then for the "Irish" – these are country cottages with a spacious fenced plot. Moreover, it is better to put the fence higher – in a jump, terriers can overcome the bar of 1.5 meters. The dog gets used to a typical apartment, if the owner does not restrict the pet in walking and is not lazy to fully train with him in the park.

Hygiene

So that the Irish terrier does not look neglected and disheveled and does not lose breed traits, it should be trimmed. Aerobatics is, of course, a manual pinch. However, for beginners, such a technique is beyond reality, since even an experienced "tweezer" can take 5 or more hours to process one dog. Therefore, if you decide to save on professional grooming, then at least stock up on a set of trimming knives, with which the procedure will be faster and easier. It is clear that in the absence of practice, the result of the first trimming is unlikely to be impressive, but the breed in the Irish terrier should be guessed. In particular, trimming schemes that clearly demonstrate the options for pinching on specific areas of the body will be a good help for a self-taught groomer.

Tools you will need to pinch an Irish terrier:

• stripping;
• fluff brush;
• trimming knife;
• milling scissors;
• wool clipper.

The first trimming is carried out in 2.5-3 months: the procedure helps to rid the puppy dog of unnecessary plumpness and softness. The moustache and beard are usually not touched, as are the legs, but to give these areas a neat appearance, the wool on them is slightly trimmed with scissors. The hairs in the ear canal are also plucked to ensure air circulation inside. As for the frequency of the procedure, the exhibition Irish terriers are pinched once every 1.5-2 months, and on the eve of the event they simply bring what they started to perfection. Pets can be trimmed once every six months, in the intervals between pinches, limited to the standard combing of the dog with a brush.

Important: pinching is carried out only on clean, pre-combed and disassembled from tangles of hair.

The Irish terrier does not need regular baths in principle, especially since in summer representatives of this breed willingly splash in open reservoirs. If the dog is seriously dirty, a bath day will have to be arranged. Just use the right shampoo for wire-haired breeds and do not let your pet go outside until it finally dries out.

The dog's eyes and ears are cared for according to the classic scenario: systematic cleaning with a soft cloth moistened with herbal medicine or cleaning lotion. You will have to tinker with the puppy's ears additionally: in order to form the correct delivery, the ear cloth is fixed with a plaster (glue) on a cardboard or plastic frame.

The teeth of the Irish terrier should sparkle white, so once a week go over them with a toothbrush or silicone nozzle, and also let the dog gnaw hard treats. The claws of the "Irish" are cut only when it becomes necessary. For example, if a dog runs a lot on the street and actively trains, it will be necessary to trim the keratinized layer about once every six weeks, or even less often.

Feeding

The diet of the Irish terrier is traditional: meat and offal, seasoned with cereals, stewed or fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Sour-milk products and boneless sea fish serve as additional sources of protein for dogs. Along with the food, it is useful for the "Irish" to give vitamin supplements. Special preference is given to calcium–containing supplements and complexes with chondroitin and glucosamine during the period when the puppy is growing intensively. Dry industrial feed will also be a good option if these are varieties for medium breeds of a class not lower than premium.

Health and diseases of Irish Terriers

The Irish Terrier is a relatively healthy breed, and the "tail" of incurable genetic diseases does not follow it. However, dogs can suffer from hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and Willebrand-Diane disease. An unpleasant disease caused by heredity is hyperkeratosis of the pads of the paws. For some time, the breed disease did not manifest itself, which gave the breeders hope for its complete disappearance. However, in recent years, individuals with pads "decorated" with calloused and spiny growths have been increasingly born. By the way, the disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive way, which requires the presence of the hyperkeratosis gene in both parents.

How to choose a puppy

The main problem when choosing an Irish Terrier puppy is the shortage of registered kennels, so sometimes you have to almost queue up for the kids.

• Irish Terrier puppies are distributed at 2-2.5 months, but it is better to get to know them earlier, for example at 4 weeks of age.
• Evaluate the bitch's reaction to your arrival. If the dog tries to gather the cubs in a pile and cover them with his body, this is normal. Obvious cowardice, aggression towards a stranger is an alarming signal.
• The exhibition potential of Irish terrier puppies reveals itself around the fifth month of life, so if you plan to get a show-class animal, take longer with the purchase.
• When an unfamiliar person appears, puppies should not run away with all their legs. This suggests that the animals are brought up in isolation and do not contact anyone except the owner of the kennel.
• The right Irish Terrier puppy is sociable and responsive to affection. He willingly goes to his hands, substitutes his belly for scratching, allows himself to be felt.

The price of an Irish Terrier

An Irish Terrier club puppy with a package of documents and vaccinations, by definition, cannot be cheap. If you come across ads with a symbolic price tag for the breed in $100 - $150, it's better to pass by. Usually healthy babies from high-end manufacturers cost in $300 - $400, and this is far from the limit. The price for puppies of the pet category can be significantly lower than the average market value, but it almost never falls below $200.