Hard
Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds, a fiery and courageous Irish breed covered in a dense, wiry, bright red outer coat. The coat has a characteristic broken texture — harsh to the touch — with a soft, fine undercoat beneath. Hand stripping is the traditional and correct method for maintaining the coat's weather-resistant quality and the true golden red color that defines the breed.
Coat Type
Dense, Wiry, Broken-Textured, Double Coat
Groom Every
Every 6-8 weeks
Styles Available
4 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Hand Strip Show Coat
Dead outer coat removed entirely by hand to reveal new growth and maintain the correct harsh, close-lying wiry texture. The breed-standard presentation and the only correct method for show dogs.
2
Roll and Strip
An ongoing maintenance technique where dead guard hairs are pulled in stages over several months rather than in a single full strip session. Keeps the coat in continuous condition.
3
Clippered Pet Trim
The coat is clipped rather than stripped for practical pet ownership. Coat texture softens over time and the deep red color may mute, but the dog remains comfortable and tidy.
4
Working Terrier
Minimal intervention — the coat is hand-rolled and lightly stripped in the heaviest areas. A practical approach that preserves some texture without the full time commitment of a complete strip.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- The Irish Terrier's distinctive golden-red color is produced by the wiry outer coat — clipping progressively removes and dulls this color, while hand stripping maintains it by removing only the dead coat and allowing fresh pigmented growth.
- Strip the coat every 4-6 months for show dogs, or once yearly plus monthly rolling for pet dogs who still need the correct wiry texture. A fully grown-out Irish Terrier coat signals it is time for a full strip.
- Brush the coat once or twice weekly between grooming appointments with a slicker brush to remove dead undercoat and keep the outer coat lying flat — the wiry coat picks up debris in dense vegetation.
- The beard and furnishings around the face are short on an Irish Terrier compared to other terriers but still need weekly combing to prevent food accumulation and tangles.
- Check paw pads after field exercise — Irish Terriers are energetic outdoor dogs, and inter-digital hair accumulates debris that can cause infections between the pads.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
BrushThe gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.
$60 - $75
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
Mars Coat King Undercoat Rake
BrushThe ultimate tool for double-coated breeds. Strips dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.
$40 - $60
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Deep Dives
Irish Terrier Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
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