In many respects not unlike the Airedale, the Irish terrier has the same rough, wiry coat, much of the hardihood, and almost if not quite the intelligence of his larger cousin. In disposition, however, he is more of terrier, and usually lacks the dignified, self-contained poise of the Airedale. He is more excitable, quicker and “snappy” in his actions, more inclined to bristle up to other dogs on the lookout for trouble. But for all that he is a highly desirable dog, especially for those who do not care for the large size of the Airedale.
A good Irish terrier, in addition to being about two-thirds the size, is somewhat more lightly built than an Airedale. His coat is of proportionally the same length, tan in color, without any gray saddle or other markings of different color. The jaws are strong though not heavy, and were his to be cut short he would show general lines quite like those of the fox terrier.