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Find out all about Irish Terriers and their common health conditions, and then compare pet insurance options from some of Australia’s leading insurers.

Written by , updated on September 21st, 2023

Price range

$1,500 –$3,000

Height

46cm - 48cm

Weight

11kg - 12.5kg

Personality

Bold, lively, intelligent

Coat length

Short, wiry

Exercise needs

High

Kid-friendly?

Yes

Life expectancy

12 - 16 years

Overview

The Irish Terrier is best known for its fiery red coat and temperament to match. It is a fearless and courageous terrier related to the English and Scottish Terriers that were first bred for farm work and ratting. They also resemble the Wirehaired Fox Terrier, although they are longer and taller than that breed. They became very popular in the 1800s and had a reputation as excellent ratting dogs.

Irish Terriers are medium-sized spirited dogs that have an outer wiry coat, and a soft inner smooth coat that keeps the dog warm in cold weather. They are known for their fearless and independent nature. They can make great watchdogs, as they are alert and always on the lookout. They are intelligent, but can be stubborn and difficult to train. They do not habitually get on well with other breeds of dogs, and tend to chase cats, but they make great companions for active individuals or families with older children who have the time to give them the exercise they require to stay mentally healthy and physically active.

Common diseases and conditions of Irish Terrier

Hip Dysplasia: This is a common orthopaedic condition affecting the joint's development. It can lead to discomfort and mobility issues.
Elbow Dysplasia: Another common orthopaedic condition that affects the elbow joints and can lead to lameness and mobility issues.
Skin conditions: Some Irish Terriers may develop skin conditions, including allergies to grass seeds. Skin allergies can lead to itching, rashes, and discomfort.

Breed-specific issues:

The feisty nature of Irish Terriers may make them reserved around strangers, so early socialisation is important. They thrive on physical and mental challenges, but if they become bored or are left alone for too long, they can become problem barkers.

How much does pet insurance cost for an Irish Terrier?

Most Australians can expect to pay between $20 and $60 a month for pet insurance. There are many factors that can influence the cost of pet insurance for your dog, which is why it's important to compare pet insurance policies. Factors affecting the cost of your insurance include:

Age: The older your dog is, the more pet insurance is likely to cost. This is because senior dogs tend to have more physical health conditions and illnesses due to age, and so present a higher insurance risk.   
Type of insurance you choose:  There are three basic types of pet insurance available in Australia; accident-only, accident and illness, and comprehensive insurance. An accident-only policy is the cheapest type of insurance available, with comprehensive coverage costing the most. 
The policy annual limit: Each pet insurance policy has an annual limit, which is the maximum amount that will be paid out on the policy in one financial year. Annual limits range from around $10,000 up to $25,000 or more.  
Sub-limits: In addition to an annual limit, there may also be sub-limits that apply to the policy, for example, a $300 sub-limit for consultation fees, or a $5,000 limit for cruciate ligament conditions.  
Benefit percentage: Pet insurance does not cover 100% of the cost of your vet bill. Instead, it may pay a percentage of the total bill. This can range from 50% for cheaper policies, up to 90% for the best policies available.  
Excess amount: This is the amount you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket each time you make a claim on your policy. Some pet insurance policies do not come with an excess amount, whilst others do. 
Any add-ons you choose: It’s possible to add on more cover options to a basic policy, such as emergency boarding fees, routine care and dental care. These add-ons extend the scope of your pet insurance, but do increase the overall cost of the policy.
Discounts: some insurers offer discounts of between 5% and 15% if you have multiple pets insured together, if you pay your premium annually, or if you bundle your pet insurance with other forms of insurance with the same company.
Gap-only insurance options: Some insurance companies offer a gap-only insurance option, which means when you go to the vet you'll only be required to pay the gap amount, not the cost of the whole bill. This is similar to the Medicare system of health insurance for humans in Australia, where gap payments can be made at HICAPS terminals at the time of treatment.

Types of pet insurance you can choose from

Accident-only

This is the most basic type of pet insurance, covering costs for accidental injuries such as car accidents, poisoning, burns, fractures, snake and spider bites, but not illnesses and other conditions.

Accident and illness

This type of insurance provides cover for accidental injuries as well as illnesses like cancer, gastrointestinal problems and eye, ear and skin conditions, but not routine care for your pet.

Comprehensive

This offers the highest level of protection, covering accident and illness and potentially routine care such as vaccinations, dental care, worm and flea treatments and microchipping.

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Common questions about Irish Terriers

 Do Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming?

Yes, the coat of an Irish Terrier does need plenty of grooming, including hand stripping to maintain the condition of the outer, wiry coat. Hand stripping is a grooming technique used primarily for breeds with wiry coats like Irish Terriers. It involves manually pulling out dead or loose hairs from the dog's coat using fingers or specialised stripping tools. This process helps maintain the coat's texture and colour while encouraging the growth of new hairs.

How do I train an Irish Terrier effectively?

Irish Terriers are intelligent, but as they are independent, they don’t tend to listen. Positive reinforcement-based training methods work best. Consistency, firmness, and early socialisation are crucial to ensure an Irish Terrier grows to become a considerate adult dog who fits in with the family. Engaging them in obedience, agility, or other training activities can help them channel their energy positively.

Are Irish Terriers known for barking excessively?

Yes, they can be very vocal dogs and do make excellent watchdogs. While they can be vocal, proper training can help curb their excessive barking tendencies.

Are Irish Terriers good with children?

Irish Terriers are generally good with children when they are properly socialised and raised in a family environment. They are known for their loyal and protective nature, which can make them affectionate and playful companions for kids. However, it's essential to teach children how to interact respectfully with any dog and supervise their interactions, especially with younger children, as Irish Terriers can be quite energetic and spirited.

More dog breeds

Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd

Fox Terrier (smooth coated)

Fox Terrier

Basenji

Basenji

Irish Terrier

Irish Terrier

Puli

Puli

Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel

Australian Bulldog

Australian Bulldogs

Labrador

Labrador

Helpful guides on pet insurance

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Disclaimer and important things you should know

Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.