The Irish Soft Coated Terrier is a medium-sized, courageous, well-coordinated sporting terrier with a square body outline.
His distinguishing features lie in his soft, silky, slightly wavy coat, his soft wheaten color, and his characteristic gentle temperament. This breed requires a moderate body structure and appearance, and any exaggeration is unnecessary.
His overall temperament should be that of an alert and happy animal, graceful, sturdy and well-coordinated.
Place of origin
England
Body type
Male dogs are between 18 and 19 inches tall at the shoulder, with an ideal size of 18.5 inches. Bitches are between 17 and 18 inches tall at the shoulder, with an ideal height of 17.5 inches at the shoulder. Major disadvantages: male dogs are less than 18 inches or more than 19 inches; female dogs are less than 17 inches or more than 18 inches. Points are deducted for any deviation according to its degree. Body shape is square in outline. The structure is strong and well-proportioned. Male dog weighs about 35 to 40 pounds; bitch weighs about 30 to 35 pounds.
Head
Harmonized and properly proportioned to the body. Rectangular in shape; medium length. Powerful without appearing rough.
Eyes dark reddish-brown or brown, of medium size, slightly almond-shaped, with moderate distance between them. Rims of the eyes are black, Major defects: any eyes approaching yellow.
Ears may be small to medium in size, with the crease of the ear flush with the top of the head, drooping, slightly forward, with the inside of the ear close to the cheek, and with the tip of the ear pointing toward the ground and not toward the eye. Hound dog shaped ears or ears that are too high are considered serious defects.
The head is flat and neat between the ears. No prominent cheekbones. The stops are well defined. Muzzle is strong and firm, located below the eyes. Not in the least rude. The head and muzzle are roughly equal in length. Nasal lenses are black and large in size relative to the whole. Major defects: noseglasses of any color other than solid black.
Lips tight and black. Teeth large, neat, and snow-white; clipper or pincer bite. Major defects: protruding upper jaw bite or protruding lower jaw bite.
Neck, dorsal line and body
Neck of medium length, neat and strong with no hanging throat. Proudly held up, gradually widening towards the shoulders, smoothly joined to the shoulders. Back firm and level. Body compact; well integrated. Chest deep. Ribs well supported but not rounded. Tail broken and held up merrily, but never rolled over on the back.
Forequarters
Shoulders good, neat and smooth; well bonded. Forelegs straight and well boned. Wolf claws should be removed. Foot claws are round and compact with thick pads. Foot pads are black. Toe nails are black.
Hindquarters
Hind limbs well developed, with correctly angulated hind knee joints, neither turned inward nor outward; fly joints positioned low and parallel to each other. Wolf claws should be removed. In competition, the presence of wolf claws on the hind limbs is a serious defect. The foot claws are round and compact, and the foot pads are thick. The pads of the feet are black. Toe nails are black.
Coat
The coat is the main feature that separates the Irish Soft Coated Terrier from other terriers. A dense single coat covers the entire body, legs and head. The texture is soft, silky and gently wavy. In puppies and young dogs the wave is not yet as pronounced in the coat as in adult dogs. Major defects: Woolly or rough textured, curly or matted coat; adult dogs are also defective if the coat is straight.
COMPETITION:In competition, the Irish Terrier must show the outline of a terrier dog, but at the same time the coat needs to be long enough to make the coat appear to flow as it walks. The coat must not be trimmed or stripped. The head coat needs to be groomed to show a rectangular appearance. Eyes need to show but not necessary fully exposed. There is celluloid accenting the ears. The head, cheeks neck and tail must have enough hair to match the length of the body coat. Excessive trimming is a serious defect.
Color
Wheaten color in varying shades. If examined closely, one might also find occasional red, white or black hairs. However, the overall color must be wheaten with the exception of the ears and muzzle, which are sometimes blue-gray, and no other color. Major defects: any color other than wheaten. puppies under 1 year of age may appear darker, even black at the tips of the coat. dogs under 2 years of age usually become lighter in color, but never white, and gray is not permitted on the ears and muzzle. However, by 2 years of age, the wheaten color should be obvious.
Gait
The gait should be easy, graceful and lively, with good extension of the forelimbs and good drive of the hindlimbs. Neither front nor rear paws are turned inward or outward. Any dog that fails to keep its tail upright while traveling is classified as having a serious defect.
Temperament
The Irish Soft Coated Terrier is happy, determined dog that appears self-assured and confident. He is alert and appears interested in his surroundings. Appears less aggressive than other terriers. Main defects: timidity or excessive aggression.
