Irish Terriers are bold, high-energy terriers with strong prey drive and a tendency to be dog-selective; close quarters with unfamiliar dogs (especially other assertive terriers), fast-moving small animals, crowded lobbies, and prolonged waiting can heighten arousal and vocalization. They’re devoted to people but can be strong‑willed and may not respond well to harsh handling; calm, confident, minimal-restraint approaches and extra space away from other dogs help. Ask about owner handling preferences (harness vs. collar, muzzle use, treats, quiet room) and note any history of dog-dog reactivity. If owners report a sudden, marked behavior change, disorientation, repeated collapse, or unprovoked biting with confusion, alert a clinician immediately and treat as an emergency.
Front desk script: This breed can be energetic and may be uncomfortable near unfamiliar dogs. Would you prefer a quieter room or curbside check-in while we keep distance from other pets? Let us know any handling preferences (harness, muzzle, favorite treats) that help your dog relax. If you’ve noticed sudden confusion, collapse, or a dramatic behavior change today, please tell me now so we can get a clinician right away.
Irish Terriers are generally sturdy but do have breed‑linked risks to flag: hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis (HFH), a genetic condition reported in this breed that causes very hard, cracked paw pads and painful walking in young dogs; cystinuria (a tendency to form cystine urinary stones) that may show straining, frequent small urinations, or blood in urine—if the dog cannot pass urine, treat this as an emergency; and orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia noted across many breeds including Irish Terriers. Breeders may use DNA screening for HFH; front staff should note any pad changes or urinary signs and route to the veterinary team.
Front desk script: Irish Terriers can be predisposed to thick, cracked paw pads (HFH), urinary stones from cystinuria, and occasional hip issues. If you see straining to urinate, blood in the urine, or your dog cannot pass urine, please proceed to emergency care immediately. Otherwise, we can book a prompt appointment so the doctor can review breed risks and appropriate screening with you.
Irish Terriers are medium, energetic, affectionate dogs that thrive with daily vigorous exercise (about an hour or more), weekly brushing, and periodic hand-stripping to keep their wiry coat; typical lifespan is 13–15 years. They’re generally healthy but have two notable watch‑outs: a DNA‑testable inherited footpad condition called hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis (“corny feet”), and a predisposition to cystinuria (urinary crystals/stones), especially in adult males. Keep them leashed or in secure fencing due to prey drive. If you see straining to urinate, repeated attempts, or no urine, go to an emergency vet immediately; call us the same day if you notice blood in the urine.
Front desk script: They’re loyal, high‑energy terriers—plan on daily exercise and regular grooming (weekly brushing plus occasional hand‑stripping). The breed is generally healthy, but breeders may screen for a rare footpad issue with a DNA test, and males can develop urinary stones. If a dog is straining with little or no urine, advise the owner this is an emergency and to go to the ER; if there’s blood in the urine, schedule a same‑day visit.
Irish Terriers commonly prompt front-desk contacts for itchy skin and ear problems (scratching, head-shaking, red or smelly ears) that are frequently seen in primary care; sore, cracked paw pads or nail issues are also reported in this breed’s lines. Owners of adult males may call about straining to urinate, frequent small urinations, or blood in urine; this breed has documented risk for cystinuria, so urinary signs merit rapid triage. Routine reasons include wellness/vaccine and parasite-prevention visits, dental odor/tartar cleanings, and occasional activity-related minor injuries. If the dog cannot pass urine, has a very firm/painful belly, is vomiting, or is markedly lethargic, direct to emergency care immediately.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Irish Terrier—skin/ear itch, paw-pad or nail concerns, and (in adult males) urinary straining are common reasons we see this breed. I can book a same‑day exam for ear/skin signs or pad/nail issues. If your dog is unable to urinate or seems painful, very lethargic, or is vomiting, please proceed to our emergency department now. For wellness, vaccines, parasite prevention, or dental cleanings, I’m happy to schedule a convenient appointment.
Irish Terriers have a harsh, wiry double coat (a “broken” outer coat over a soft undercoat) that is best maintained by professional hand‑stripping; routine clipper grooming can soften the coat and alter texture/appearance. Not all salons offer hand‑stripping, so book with a terrier‑experienced groomer and allow longer appointments. Front desk should note the dog’s current coat care (hand‑stripped vs clipped) to set expectations about look and shedding, and ask about skin history. Watch for persistent itching or recurrent ear/skin issues (may warrant a non‑urgent dermatology visit), and be alert that the breed is predisposed to hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis—reports of thick, cracked, painful pads or limping should be routed for a same‑day veterinary assessment.
Front desk script: This breed’s wiry coat is typically maintained by hand‑stripping rather than clipper grooming; would you like us to refer you to a groomer who offers that service? I’ll note how your dog has been groomed before so we can set expectations on coat texture and appearance. If you’re seeing cracked or bleeding paw pads or limping, we recommend a same‑day exam; for ongoing itching or ear/skin flare‑ups, we can schedule a dermatology consult.
Front-desk triage for Irish Terriers should flag two breed‑linked issues: painful, cracked paw pads/lameness from hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis (often starts in young dogs) and urinary signs from cystine stones, seen more often in adult intact males. Ask specifically about paw pad cracking, bleeding, or reluctance to walk on rough surfaces (book same‑day if painful/bleeding or non‑weight‑bearing). Screen for urinary straining, frequent attempts with little/no urine, crying while urinating, or blood in urine—if the caller reports inability to pass urine or only drops, advise immediate emergency care. Otherwise, route urinary signs as same‑day/urgent. Routine wellness and non-urgent concerns (e.g., new lumps, gradual vision changes, chronic stiffness) can be scheduled as standard exams, but escalate if rapid growth, ulceration, acute pain, or sudden vision loss are mentioned.
Front desk script: Irish Terriers can be prone to painful cracked paw pads and to urinary stones—especially in adult intact males. Is your dog straining to urinate, passing only drops or none, or is there blood in the urine? If yes, this can be life‑threatening—please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now; I can call ahead to alert them. If you’re seeing cracked or bleeding pads or your dog won’t bear weight, I’ll book a same‑day urgent visit; otherwise I can schedule the next available exam.
Puppies: plan frequent visits through about 16–20 weeks to complete the vaccine series and parasite prevention per AAHA life-stage guidance; owners often ask about housetraining/socialization and when to discuss spay/neuter—help them get on a puppy visit schedule. Adults (≈1–9 years): shift to annual wellness with dental checks, weight/behavior review, parasite prevention refills, and grooming; be aware this breed can have hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis (ask about pad cracking) and males may develop cystinuria-related urinary stones in mid-life. Seniors (≈10+ years): book checkups about every 6 months as directed by the veterinarian; common questions include mobility changes, new lumps, hearing/vision, or cognitive changes—offer to pre-book the next visit. Escalate immediately if an owner reports straining to urinate or producing little/no urine, collapse, trouble breathing, or pale gums; painful cracked/bleeding pads should be seen the same day.
Front desk script: For Irish Terrier puppies, we’ll set up a series of vet visits every 3–4 weeks through around 16–20 weeks; the doctor will confirm exact timing. As adults, we book an annual wellness with dental check; for seniors (around 10+), we aim for checkups about every 6 months as advised. At check-in, please ask about any paw pad cracking or painful feet, and—especially in males—any straining to urinate. If a client reports straining to urinate, little/no urine, collapse, or trouble breathing, ask them to come in now and alert the medical team immediately.
For Irish Terriers, set expectations up front by screening for breed-leaning issues and giving clear next steps: ask about urinary changes (straining, frequent small trips, blood), any night‑vision/eye changes, and unusual weakness in young males; offer same‑day scheduling for new urinary or eye concerns; and state plainly that owners should go to the nearest emergency hospital immediately if the dog cannot pass urine, has labored breathing, collapses, or has repeated vomiting. ([cidd.discoveryspace.ca](https://cidd.discoveryspace.ca/breed/irish-terrier.html))
Front desk script: “Because Irish Terriers can be predisposed to bladder stones and some inherited eye changes, we routinely ask: any straining to pee, frequent small trips, blood in urine, or trouble seeing in low light? If you notice those, call us today so we can guide next steps. If your dog is trying to urinate and nothing comes out, is working hard to breathe, collapses, or is vomiting repeatedly, please head to the nearest emergency vet now and call us on the way.” ([cidd.discoveryspace.ca](https://cidd.discoveryspace.ca/breed/irish-terrier.html))
Irish Terriers: flag two recurring watchouts. 1) Cystine urinary stones—seen most in intact adult males (often ~3–6+ years); add an annual urinalysis reminder at wellness visits and ask about straining, blood, or frequent small urinations; if the dog cannot pass urine or seems painful, instruct the owner to seek emergency care immediately. 2) Hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis in young dogs—ask about thick, cracked pads or new limping and book an exam. Terrier breeds also carry risk for primary lens luxation—any sudden red, painful, or cloudy eye warrants same‑day/ER evaluation.
Front desk script: For Irish Terriers, we stay proactive about urinary stones in adult intact males and rare paw‑pad thickening in younger dogs. Is your dog neutered, and have you noticed straining, blood in the urine, frequent small urinations, cracked pads/limping, or eye redness/squinting? If he’s straining with little to no urine or has a very painful red eye, this is an emergency—please go to the nearest ER now. Otherwise, I can book a same‑day appointment for a urine check and a quick pad/eye assessment.
Energetic, clever, and loyal, Irish Terriers tend to be alert vocalizers and highly curious in clinic; expect quick arousal and possible selectivity with other dogs. For handling, use calm, confident approaches, minimize lobby time, keep wide spacing from other pets, and ensure secure leashing (they’re known escape artists); direct-to-room or car check‑in works well. What usually matters: this breed is predisposed to cystinuria/urinary stones—middle‑aged males may present with straining, frequent small urinations, or inability to pass urine; if reported, this is an emergency and should be escalated immediately. Also be aware of hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis (owners may mention cracked/painful paw pads). High exercise needs and a wiry coat that’s often hand‑stripped; not considered hypoallergenic.
Front desk script: “Irish Terriers are high‑energy and alert, so we’ll move you to a quiet space and keep distance from other pets. Please keep the leash secure—this breed can be escape‑savvy. If you’ve noticed straining to urinate, very frequent small trips, blood in urine, or inability to pass urine (especially in males), tell me right away—this is an emergency and we will escalate immediately. Any issues with cracked or painful paw pads you’d like the vet to note?”
Irish Terriers are energetic, curious terriers that may be escape‑prone and dog‑selective, so use secure leashing/fencing and schedule slow, structured dog introductions. For intake and post‑adoption check‑ins, visibly inspect paw pads and nails: this breed has a documented hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis risk that can start by 4–12 months and presents as very hard, thickened or cracked pads with painful lameness and often unusually hard/fast‑growing nails. Provide non‑slip footing during handling and note any reluctance to walk on rough surfaces. If you observe deep pad fissures, bleeding, refusal to bear weight, or sudden severe lameness, escalate for a same‑day veterinary exam; if bleeding is uncontrolled or the dog cannot stand, treat as an emergency.
Front desk script: Irish Terriers can inherit a paw‑pad condition in young dogs that causes very hard, cracked pads and painful limping. If you notice deep cracks, bleeding pads, or refusal to walk, we should arrange a same‑day veterinary check; uncontrolled bleeding or inability to stand is an emergency. Please keep this breed securely leashed/fenced and do slow, supervised dog‑to‑dog introductions after adoption.
Irish Terriers are bold, energetic, and deeply loyal but can be dog‑selective with a strong chase instinct; they may escalate if crowded by unfamiliar dogs. At check‑in, verify a secure leash/harness and ask about reactivity to other dogs or small pets, known triggers (e.g., the scale, handling near the head), and whether food rewards are acceptable. To optimize flow and safety, route directly to an exam room or have the client wait in the car and text when a room is ready; avoid nose‑to‑nose greetings and seat away from traffic if lobby use is unavoidable. Escalate immediately if you observe a fixed stare, stiff body, growling, lunging, or repeated escape attempts—pause check‑in, create distance (car or empty area), and page the medical team for a controlled handoff.
Front desk script: “Irish Terriers are high‑energy and sometimes prefer extra space—does [Pet Name] do best going straight to a room or waiting in the car while we text you?” “Are there any triggers we should note (other dogs, the scale, handling near the head), and is it okay to offer treats if the care team approves?” “If [Pet Name] starts to tense, growl, or lunge, please tell me right away—we’ll pause and bring the medical team to assist.”
For Irish Terriers, escalate immediately if the caller reports: straining to urinate or producing little/no urine (notably in intact males—this breed has documented cystinuria risk), red or painful urination, a swollen/painful abdomen with repeated unproductive retching, labored/rapid breathing, collapse, seizures, pale/blue gums, major trauma, toxin exposure, or heat distress. Painful, cracked or bleeding footpads (breed‑linked hereditary hyperkeratosis) with lameness or signs of infection should be booked same‑day. If any breathing difficulty, collapse, distended belly with nonproductive retching, or inability to urinate is present, instruct the client to proceed to emergency care now.
Front desk script: Thank you for calling—based on what you’re describing, this may be urgent. If your Irish Terrier is straining to urinate or not passing urine, or has trouble breathing, collapse, pale/blue gums, or a swollen belly with repeated gagging/retching, this is an emergency—please head to the nearest emergency hospital now and I’ll alert our clinician. If you’re seeing painful cracked/bleeding paw pads or blood in urine/stool without collapse, we should see your dog today; I can book the first same‑day appointment.