Austin Dog Trainer Blog

Breed Profile: Irish Terriers

I'm sure that if my client, Jack (the stunning Irish Terrier pictured in these photos), could read, I would have gotten an earful after yesterday's post about Paws to Consider.  You see, one breed that was left out of that book is the Irish Terrier.  I'm fairly certain Jack would have a thing or two to say about that!  So, here is our own breed profile of the Irish Terrier, complete with some beautiful photographs taken by Casey Woods.

One of the oldest terrier breeds, the Irish Terrier hails from, well, Ireland, of course!  This medium-sized breed is terrier through and through.  It is playful, inquisitive, bold, independent, and always ready for a bit of action and adventure.  It will be a vocal watchdog and is loyal and protective of family members.  Often described as a "daredevil", this breed has endless amounts of courage.  Socialization and training at an early age are crucial with this breed. 

You must also make sure that it gets enough daily exercise (walks AND a good romp in a fenced in area) and mental stimulation to prevent problem behaviors.  When your Irish Terrier is getting sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, it will generally be well-mannered and even dignified indoors.  If it doesn't get the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation, well . . . watch out! 

Your Irish Terrier will require combing one to two times a week and scissoring or stripping two to four times a year.  You won't see much shedding, though!

Potential problems to be aware of include aggression towards other dogs and small animals.  Don't forget, this breed was bred to hunt fox and small vermin!  Some of the breed descriptions I looked at when researching this breed described it as being a good playmate for an active child; however, I would caution you to be extremely careful in choosing this breed if you have an infant or toddler in the house.  Their high chase instinct may be dangerous for a small child who may look like prey all too often!

Barking and digging may also be a problem.  This breed has the capacity to bring a tremendous amount of joy to your life if you have the time to dedicate to it.  It is not, however, a good choice for inexperienced dog owners or for busy households that won't have time for proper socialization and training. 

Thank you, Jack, for being such a photogenic model!

Cara, Austin Dog Trainer

American Staffordshire Terrier

Amstaffs are quickly becoming one of my favorite breeds.  I can't help it - those chunky little heads and beautiful, deep eyes just get me every time.  And they're SOOOOOOOOO loveable - who could resist the little wigglers when they say hello? 

This medium sized dog has a close coat that needs little grooming.  The Amstaff is a high energy dog that requires regular exercise that includes long walks on leash and, preferably, a romp in a fenced in area.  This breed is generally excellent with children and docile and friendly with people, but it may be aggressive with other dogs and animals.  This, coupled with its incredible strength and power, make it a poor choice for an inexperienced dog owner.  And, unfortunately, since the American Staffordshire Terrier is considered one of the pit bull breeds, you may need to be prepared for poor public acceptance at times.  If you can get past that, and are a responsible, experienced dog owner who can't pass up a face like Doja's (below, left) or Goliath's (below, right), this breed will bring snuggles and joy to your home!

 

You can see more beautiful pictures of American Staffordshire Terriers where we found these ones: http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/americanstaffordshireterrier/photos.html