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MediumTerrier Group

Irish Terrier

The Irish Terrier is among the oldest identifiable Irish terrier breeds, standardized in the 1870s from native red working terrier stock.

Calculate Irish Terrier age
Lifespan13.5 yrrange 13–14
SizeMediumTerrier Group
Weight25–27 lb11.3–12.2 kg
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11

Gallery (3)

About

About the Irish Terrier

The Irish Terrier is among the oldest identifiable Irish terrier breeds, standardized in the 1870s from native red working terrier stock. The solid-red wire coat is breed-defining; AKC recognition dates to 1885.

Aging

How Irish Terriers age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 13.5 years (n=681). Hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis and cystinuria (urolithiasis-predisposing amino acid transport defect) are the defining inherited concerns — DNA-testable — with hip dysplasia secondary.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13.5 yr · range 13–14Senior careSenior at 7 · geriatric at 11Common health issues3 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
25–27 lb(11.3–12.2 kg)
Height
18–18 in(45.7–45.7 cm)
Coat type
Wire
Colors
RedWheatenRed Wheaten
Temperament

Temperament

How Irish Terriers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

bolddashingtenderheartedspirited
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr

    Hip Dysplasia

    Description and veterinary guidance for Hip Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from Breed-club documented; standard OFA screening..

  • Moderatetypical onset ~5 yr

    Hypothyroidism

    Description and veterinary guidance for Hypothyroidism land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from Breed-club surveys..

Exercise
45min
per day

Irish Terriers are satisfied by around 45 minutes of daily activity (energy level 3/5). Short, regular outings beat one long session.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.