Irish Terriers - What are they like? General Chat

Discussion in 'Irish Terrier' started by Blaise, Nov 7, 2011.

  1. Blaise

    Blaise New Member

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    Blaise

    Irish Terriers - What are they like?

    Hi everyone; newbie here (I've posted in introductions)!

    At present I have two standard poodles and have owned (been owned by?) a border collie in the past (although he was very easy, as collies go). As my poodles Jasper and Quinta are getting older, I'm starting to think about which breed to go for next (I would only have one dog at a time in future :roll: ).

    Now, I've always thought that terriers are hard work with a capital H & W, but I keep being drawn towards the Irish Terrier. Am I mad?

    I've read widely (as I always do, before any new enterprise, be it a mobile phone, an additional tropical fish or a pooch) as I'm very much driven by my brain rather than my heart in this area; animals are too important to risk making a mistake. It seems that there are more negatives than positives about Irish Terriers: argumentative with other dogs, and and sometimes their owners if they are not strong enough; hard to house-train; tend to disobedience; can't be trusted with other animals.

    I'd really welcome your comments; there's plenty of time for me to think this through as Jasper is eleven and Quinta is ten (but they both have serious health conditions requiring daily medication, so probably won't live as long as they should).

    Thanks in advance :grin: .
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  3. MarchHound

    MarchHound New Member

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    Jeanna
    Just because a breed standerd says their behaviour is likely to be 'x, y and z' doesnt mean that all the individuals in that breed will be like that :)

    I have a soft thing for IT too...... I really want one!

    I know of two ITs, both belonging to the same person. One is a softy and will do anything to please her mummy. The other one is more independent..... one of those dogs that can't be let off the lead because they will ignore their own name. The former even does flyball :) And both are female.

    If you are interested in the breed, start having a look at breeders, get in contact with one or two and ask them what the temporments they have with their current dogs? What do they do with the pups to help socialise them before they come home?

    With alot of socialisation, early training and determination, I think the IT would make an ace breed to own. :)
  4. Sara

    Sara New Member

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    Sara
    That's hilarious! I was a Poodle person, but fell in love with the IT!

    Yes they're hard work at times, but then so are Poodles! IT's are extremely versatile dogs, usually willing to work hard, if trained properly. They're loyal, protective, free-thinking (like any good terrier) and fun loving dogs!

    I have one that is probably crossed with an IT, he is dog aggressive, but he came as a street dog from Texas and has issues, he's a clown, he's protective, eager to work, loves learning, is very athletic, prone to a little extra bounce in his step (polite way of saying bounces off the walls if not enough exercise or training) He's 3 and still destructive if bored, but a huge baby, who snuggles with me at night and loves a good hug :) These are all traits that can be attributed to the IT.

    I've met other IT's who's people describe them very similarly. They are not for the faint of heart, they are not for people who dont have alot of time, they are not for the uneducated, and they are not for the lazy... but then, neither is the St. Poodle!

    Honestly, if I ever bought a dog, it'd be an IT (with the St. Poodle as a close second!) But then I am a fan of hard work and extensive training, I am a fan of long walks, and a huge fan of the cheeky, goofy terrier personality!!!
  5. Blaise

    Blaise New Member

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    Blaise
    Thanks so much for your responses. I suppose Standard Poodles are hard work, although I never think of it like that as I'm used to them :grin: .
  6. patricia@topaz

    patricia@topaz New Member

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    Ruby's Mum
    I have a gorgeous IT called Ruby, now five. She was fabulously easy to house train (clean overnight from the day I got her at nearly eight weeks, and no daytime accidents from five months), is a bit wary meeting other dogs off-lead, but happy to play (sometimes boisterously!) once meet/greet is over, loves her doggy mates (even when they don't love her so much!), ADORES people, can be a bit feisty on-lead with other on-lead dogs (I blame myself for this one - I didn't do enough on-lead training), not bad at recall although I have to be alert at all times and know her reactions to various situations, putting her on-lead at times.

    She loves her cuddles, looks cute as a button, has many fans around where we live.... what more can I say!

    I did make a tremendous effort to socialise with people and dogs from the get-go, and to train recall (not quite so successful with the latter!), and it has paid off - but I agree, ITs are terrier to the core and you have to be prepared to put in the time and effort to get the results back.
  7. Muddiwarx

    Muddiwarx Member

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    Julie
    I love Irish Terriers and have friends with 3, they are typical terriers but are well trained and although one is not keen on other dogs, they would never start any trouble.

    Why not try and attend a Champ show on terrier day and speak to some owners :)
  8. one.eyed.dog

    one.eyed.dog New Member

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    Ellie
    One breed where a breed discription would fit all the dogs are German wirehaired pointers.
    Breed discription should just say. "Complete Tit".
  9. border pop

    border pop New Member

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    BORDERPOP
    I agree, go and talk to 'reputable' breeders at a champ show. Irish can be trained to a very high level of obedience as they are very intelligent dogs but cannot be trained in the same way as say, a border collie. they were trained as messanges during the war i believe. I think temprement has improved greatly, i dont think i have ever seen one 'fly' at a show, but doubt if any would back down if challenged.

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