Irish Terrier health: what owners should know

Irish Terriers are generally healthy, with a couple of breed-specific conditions worth knowing. Hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis, a thickening and cracking of the pads sometimes called corny feet, is known in the breed, as is cystinuria, which can lead to bladder stones, mainly in males. Responsible breeders use available tests and choose breeding dogs with sound feet and clear health records.

Check paw pads regularly for cracks or unusual thickness. See a vet promptly if your dog strains to urinate, keeps passing small amounts, or has blood in its urine, and treat a male that cannot pass urine at all as an emergency. Limping from sore pads also warrants a vet check.