Irish Terrier
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Strong and agile in appearance, always alert. The name of the breed, Pointer, is related to the function that dogs performed extremely well and continue to perform: to find prey and point it at the hunter.
Personality: Smart, alert and agile.
Energy Level : Very Active. This dog is active and energetic, and needs daily exercise.
Good with children: Yes.
Good with other dogs: With supervision.
Grooming: Seasonal.
Life Expectancy : 10-12 years old.
Bark Level: Bark when needed.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Irish Terrier is one of the oldest of all Irish races. Before 1880 the color of the Irish Terrier had not been defined. In addition to red, they were sometimes black and tan or brindle. In the late 19th century efforts were made to color black and tan and the brindle of the breed, so by the 20th century all Irish terriers had a red coat. The red-haired Irish terrier soon made its appearance at shows in England and the United States, where it was enthusiastically received.
Country of Origin: Ireland.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: The Irish Terrier is faithful, good-natured and friendly, but when attacked it has the courage of a lion and will fight to the end. Easily trained and kind.
HEAD:
CRANIAL REGION
Skull: Flat and narrow between the ears.
Stop : Almost not visible.
FACIAL REGION
Truffle: black
Jaws and Teeth: They should be strong and muscular and of good length.
Lips: Well developed, fitted and almost black in outline.
Expression: Intelligent and alert.
Eyes: Dark in color, small in size.
Ears : Small, V-shaped, of moderate thickness, well set on the head and folded forward close to the cheeks. The crease line of the ear should be well above the level of the skull.
NECK : Dewlap-free, of reasonable length, gradually increasing to the shoulders.
TRUNK
Loin: Muscular and slightly arched.
Back: Well developed. Strong and straight.
TAIL : Should be set rather high, carried cheerfully but not over the back or curled. Very robust and substantial and reasonably long.
MEMBERS
PREVIOUS
Shoulders: Well set back, long and refined.
Elbows: Free on the sides.
Paws: Strong, reasonably round and moderately small; toes arched and correctly directed forward.
HINDQUARTERS
Hocks: Close to the ground.
Thighs: Well developed.
Feet : Strong, reasonably round and moderately small; toes arched and correctly directed forward.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Forequarters and hindquarters parallel and directed forward. Elbows moving parallel to body axis, free at sides, knees turning neither in nor out.
COAT
Coat : Dense and wire textured. A moderate beard are the only long hairs (and they are only long compared to the rest of the hair) this is allowed and characteristic. A “goat” beard suggests that the coat is silky and usually a bad coat on the torso.
COLOR: Red, wheat red or yellowish red. White sometimes on the chest.
SIZE: Approximately 45.5cm.
FAULTS
Any deviation from this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well being of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Atypical dogs.