Are Irish Terriers good family dogs?
Irish Terriers are one of the better family breeds — patient, sociable, and generally tolerant of the chaos that comes with children.
The family dog breakdown
The Irish Terrier is a solid family breed choice. With the right training and routine, Irish Terriers fit naturally into family life — they're sociable, predictable, and generally enjoy the activity level that comes with children.
With young children
Irish Terriers generally handle young children well. Their temperament is bold, loyal, spirited — qualities that translate to patience in a family setting.
Regardless of breed, no dog should be left unsupervised with young children. Teaching children how to interact with dogs appropriately. No approaching while eating, no disturbing while sleeping, no pulling ears or tails. Is essential for safe cohabitation.
Exercise needs vs family life
Irish Terriers are high-energy dogs. For active families who exercise regularly — runners, hikers, families with a large garden and time for daily training — this is an asset. For families with limited time, it's a genuine challenge.
Trainability in a family context
Irish Terriers are moderately trainable — responsive to consistent training, but less forgiving of gaps and inconsistency than the easiest breeds.
Living situation and space
Irish Terriers are a medium-sized breed, giving them good flexibility. They adapt reasonably well to different home sizes, making them practical for a range of UK households.
What to expect in the first year
The first year with any dog in a family home is an adjustment period — for the dog and the family. Irish Terriers generally settle well with the right structure in place: consistent feeding times, regular exercise, clear rules enforced by all family members. The breed's responsive nature makes this establishment phase more straightforward than with most breeds.
Barking and household noise
Irish Terriers have moderate barking tendencies — typical of most family breeds. Consistent recall and "quiet" commands, trained early, keep this well within normal household range.
What makes a truly good family dog?
Beyond temperament, the practical requirements matter: a dog that can be called away from a child, that doesn't jump on toddlers, that settles when asked to. Training is just as important as breed choice. A patient Labrador that's never been trained can be dangerous; a "difficult" breed with solid training can be brilliant.
Full guide to Irish Terriers
Read the complete Irish Terrier guide →