Author Topic: Irish Terriers (Read 194 times)

ravells · « **on:** October 03, 2004, 02:47:00 PM »

We are thinking of getting an Irish Terrier. The websites say that they are faithful, fearless and loving.

Does anyone here own one? I'd be interested to hear of your experiences.

Thanks

Ravs

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2004, 03:54:34 PM »

Vicious animals ALL OF THEM!
They all need to be destroyed!!

Oh wait, your talking about the dogs.

Dunno

Dune · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2004, 03:57:13 PM »

Don't know anything about Irish's. But I grew up with Scotties and would have another in a heartbeat.

Toad · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2004, 05:09:37 PM »

At age 12 I got my first purebred dog, it was a female Irish terrier. From show lines, she was not considered a promising show dog.

She was absolutely fearless and a great watchdog.

She was as loyal and faithful as anyone could ever wish. She was a great family dog. She liked the entire family and really didn't play favorites. She was still a "hard charger" though. She played "full out" all the time.

We bred her one time and kept a pup out of that. Her daughter shared all of these traits but was a bit "softer" and more loving.

My only caveat would be that, like all terriers, they have boundless energy. You'd better have some plan for enough daily exercise outside to wear the dog down a bit. Otherwise, you're going to think an atomic tennis ball is bouncing around your home.

Mind you, this was about 40 years ago now.

Dang, I'm getting old.

ravells · « **Reply #4 on:** October 03, 2004, 05:14:23 PM »

Thanks Toad!

We live next to a park, so walks shouldn't be a problem, but we're going to have to leave her in a reasonably small garden during working hours.

Do you think two walks a day (morning and evening) would be enough?

The websites say they are easy to housetrain but bloody hard to make obedient...did you find this?

Ravs

Lizking · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2004, 05:17:02 PM »

Your garden will be destroyed. You might better get 2 of them.

ravells · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2004, 05:20:09 PM »

Yep, Liz. I've already written off the garden (I'm a very keen gardener, so I'm not happy about that but...well we'll use pots of war (copyright Grunz/Nash) so the plants don't get all dug up.

Ravs

Toad · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2004, 05:29:20 PM »

The first one was a bit "strong willed" and hard to train. But with patience and an equally strong will, she finally gave in and agreed to do what we asked. House training was a breeze.

Her pup was much easier to train; just a gentler, "softer" dog all around.

As for two walks... walks? Terriers don't want no steenkin' WALKS! Terriers want to RUN!. You're going to have to play ball with her. They'll retrieve for hours on end, so get one of those Walmart tennis ball slinger thingies and run that dog till it's tired.

Your garden will thank you!

Again, remember this was in the early '60's. I really haven't kept in touch with the breed or breeders since.

Irish Terriers have been used as working dogs. In your part of the world, you should still be able to find good working stock. If you can, get one of those from a known "reputable" breeder.

Good luck! I loved them both and have very fond memories.

ravells · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2004, 05:34:43 PM »

Thanks Toad,

They were used during the first world war as messenger dogs and their handlers found them faultless.

Thanks for the walking tip, I'll get a tennis ball for her when she gets older.

We are definitely looking at reputable breeders.

Thanks for your good luck wish, I'll send you pics when she arrives, which will be early next year.

I really can't wait...we've always had dogs in our family and although I love the cats, I can't wait for my faithful hound!

Ravs