How much exercise does an Irish Terrier need?
Daily exercise minutes, the activities an Irish Terrier enjoys and signs of too much or too little.
Most adults are happiest with about an hour of varied exercise daily. Irish Terriers love long walks, ball games, tug and hiking, and many shine at agility, rally, obedience and earthdog events. They have good stamina and do best with a mix of physical effort and brain work.
Walks that involve other dogs need management, since meetings with unfamiliar dogs can escalate quickly. Keep your dog on lead in busy areas and choose quieter spots for off-lead time once recall is solid. An under-exercised Irish Terrier chews, digs and gets argumentative.
Irish Terrier exercise in numbers
Activity ranges are editorial planning estimates. The five-minutes-per-month puppy rule lacks scientific evidence. Adapt activity to the individual and seek advice for pain or exercise difficulty. PDSA puppy exercise guidance.
Editorial activity estimate
90 to 120 min
Puppy activity
Individual plan
adapt to age, health and development
Senior activity
Individual plan
adapt to comfort and ability
Size
medium
10 to 13 kg
Energy level
Playfulness
Handles heat
Handles cold