Irish Terrier vs Rat Terrier
Compare the Irish Terrier to the Rat Terrier. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Irish Terriers and Rat Terriers.
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Breed Type
Purebred
Purebred
Allergy Friendly
Maybe
No
Lifespan
12-15 Years
12-18 Years
Height
16-18 Inches
10-18 Inches
Weight
21-27 Pounds
10-24 Pounds
Intelligence
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Origin Country
Ireland
United States
Origin Year
1875 AD
1800 AD
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Overall Friendliness
Family Friendly
Child Friendly
Pet Friendly
Stranger Friendly
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Apartment
No
Yes
Indoor
No
Yes
Small Yard
No
Yes
Medium Yard
Yes
Yes
Large Yard
Yes
No
Temperature Tolerance
40-70 °F
45-80 °F
Barks/Howls
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Energy Level
High
Medium
Exercise Required
High
Medium
Top Running Speed
22 MPH
27 MPH
Strength
High
Low to Medium
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Coat Maintenance
Medium
Low to Medium
Shedding
None to Low
Medium
Dander
Low
Medium
Drool
None to Low
None
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Dominant / Alpha
No
No
Family / Pack
No
Yes
Independent
Yes
No
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Distracted Easy
Yes
No
Focused & Patient
No
Yes
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Aggression
Burrow / Digging
Chasing
Follow Commands
Fighting
Guarding
Herding
Hunting
Protection
Remove Vermin
Sled Pulling
Watch / Guardian
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Average Lifespan
12-15 Years
12-18 Years
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
Coat Type
Hair
Fur
Coat Layering
Single
Wire
Single
Coat Texture
Rough
Straight
Coat Length
Medium
Short
Irish Terrier
Rat Terrier
