Irish Terriers - Pictures

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Irish Terriers - History

Irish Terriers are definitely an old breed. Though there is no written evidence of the way the breed was created, it is believed that the Irish Terrier dog may have originated from crossings of the old black and tan terrier and the wheaten-colored terrier that appeared racier than other terriers of the day.

The Irish Terrier was bred in Ireland. In fact, this country is famous for creating various types of hunting dogs, terriers being one of the most popular. Irish breeders and hunters used terriers for pursuing the otter, fox, and vermin. Irish Terriers were not an exception to the rule. Breeders put stress on their working abilities and physical qualities.

The Irish Terrier of the day was long-legged and came in a variety of colors. One of the most common colors was black and tan, and gray and brindle. With time, the breed acquired solid red as the basic color. By the end of the 19th century, the Irish Terrier became a popular breed. It was first shown in 1875.

Irish Terriers reached the pinnacle of fame at the end of the 19th century. American breeders also realized the importance of breeding the Irish Terrier. It became popular in the United States in the fist half of the 20th century. The breed was of great help during World War I. It was often used as a messenger and a sentinel. However, Irish Terriers did not manage to retain their popularity and are now one of the most rare terrier breeds.

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