Affenhuahua versus Irish Water Spaniel. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Affenhuahua Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Affenhuahua and for the Irish Water Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Affenhuahua or the Irish Water Spaniel.

Affenhuahua versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Affenhuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Affenhuahua belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

On the other hand, the Irish Water Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Affenhuahua versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Affenhuahua to the Irish Water Spaniel based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel

Factor Affenhuahua Irish Water Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 13 to 18 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Weight 4 to 12 pounds 45 to 65 pounds
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Height 6 to 12 inches 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 15.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Affenhuahua in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Irish Water Spaniel. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Affenhuahua is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Affenhuahua. So, you should get the Irish Water Spaniel!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel are most different:

    • Affenhuahuas are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Irish Water Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Affenhuahuas have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Irish Water Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    The Similarities Between the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel

    The Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:

    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    Size Comparison of Affenhuahua versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel.

    Affenhuahuas weigh 4 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Affenhuahuas are 6 to 12 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Irish Water Spaniels weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Irish Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Affenhuahua versus Irish Water Spaniel

    The lifespan of Affenhuahuas is between 13 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Affenhuahuas is 15.5 years.

    The lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is 11.0 years.

    Affenhuahuas live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Affenhuahua versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Affenhuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Affenhuahuas shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?

    Affenhuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Affenhuahua or the Irish Water Spaniel

    Affenhuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenhuahua or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Affenhuahuas are very easy to groom.

    Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Affenhuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Affenhuahuas have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Irish Water Spaniels have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Affenhuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Affenhuahuas are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Affenhuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Affenhuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Affenhuahua vs. Irish Water Spaniel

    Affenhuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Affenhuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Affenhuahuas can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenhuahua or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Affenhuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Affenhuahuas good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Affenhuahuas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Irish Water Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Affenhuahuas and Irish Water Spaniels?

    Affenhuahuas get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Affenhuahua Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Affenhuahuas are fairly easy to train.

    Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Affenhuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Affenhuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Affenhuahua or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Affenhuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Affenhuahua versus Irish Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Affenhuahua and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.