Irish Terrier vs Welsh Terrier

An Irish Terrier
Photo: Sini Merikallio
A Welsh Terrier
Photo: Shleiderbmx

Side by side

Irish Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Adult weight
Males 11–14 kg (24–30 lb); females 10–13 kg (22–28 lb) (estimated: ±10% around FCI 139's ideal weights of 27 lb (12.25 kg) for dogs and 25 lb (11.4 kg) for bitches)
9–9.5 kg (20–21 lb)1
Lifespan
Median 13.5 years2
Median 13.8 years2
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes3
Group
Terriers4
Terriers5
Coat
Wire or harsh coat4
Wire or harsh coat5
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Melanoma of the eye or eyelid (far more likely); Skin melanoma (much more likely)6
Mouth melanoma (more likely); Skin melanoma (more likely)6
Class
Companion
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Irish Terrier is a little larger: about 12 kg (26 lb) as an adult, against 9.3 kg (20 lb) for the Welsh Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Irish Terrier: affectionate on its own terms; Welsh Terrier: likes its own space) and on loyalty (Irish Terrier: sticks close to its people; Welsh Terrier: bonded to its family).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Irish Terrier
Terriers · Small

It is bold and spirited, loyal and affectionate with its own people, and can be quarrelsome with other dogs.

Welsh Terrier
Terriers · Small

In temperament the Welsh Terrier is lively, friendly and quick to learn, with a terrier's independence and keenness to dig and chase. It is often described as steadier than many terriers.

The Irish Terrier page →The Welsh Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Irish Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Needs steady training
With people
Irish Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Irish Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Irish Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 12 kg against the Welsh Terrier's 9.3 kg. The Irish Terrier's weight is not a published figure.
Irish Terrier
Welsh Terrier
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More comparisons

Compare the Irish Terrier with
Lakeland Terrier vs Welsh TerrierWire Fox Terrier vs Welsh TerrierAiredale Terrier vs Welsh TerrierBorder Terrier vs Irish TerrierAiredale Terrier vs Irish TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·