Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Affenpinscher Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
- Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter: Overview
- Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter
- The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter
- Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter
- Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Irish Setter
- Adopting the Affenpinscher versus Adopting the Irish Setter
- The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
- The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Irish Setter
- Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
- Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter
- How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Irish Setters?
- Do Affenpinschers shed more than Irish Setters?
- Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Irish Setter
- Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
- Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
- Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Irish Setter
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Irish Setter?
- Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Irish Setter?
- Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?
Affenpinscher Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter 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 Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter 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 Affenpinscher and for the Irish Setter. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Affenpinscher or the Irish Setter
Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter: Overview
A very important difference between the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Affenpinscher is a tiny-sized dog while the Irish Setter is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Affenpinscher belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Irish Setter 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.
Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Affenpinscher to the Irish Setter 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.
| Factor | Affenpinscher | Irish Setter |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 11 to 15 years |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 9 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
| Height | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2220 | $1680 |
| Price Range | $500 – $1962 | $1200 – $2200 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 147 | 74 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 35 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Affenpinscher 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 Setter. 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 a Affenpinscher is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Setter is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Affenpinscher is a better pet than the Irish Setter. So, you should get the Affenpinscher!
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 Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter
Below is a list of where the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter are most different:
The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter
The Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter.
Affenpinschers weigh 7 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Affenpinschers are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.
Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Irish Setter
The average price of the Affenpinscher puppy is $2220. The price of the Affenpinscher typically ranges from $500 – $1962. However, the price of a Affenpinscher can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Affenpinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. However, the price of a Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Affenpinscher is more expensive than the Irish Setter.
| Affenpinscher | Irish Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2220 | $1680 |
| Price Range | $500 to $1962 | $1200 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Affenpinscher and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Affenpinscher puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Affenpinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Affenpinscher puppy or the Irish Setter puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Affenpinscher versus Adopting the Irish Setter
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Affenpinschers and many Irish Setters are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Affenpinscher named Strattman that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Affenpinschers like Strattman on pefinder.com.
Also, like Affenpinschers, Irish Setters are also available for adoption. For example, Alvie is a Male Irish Setter that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Irish Setters like Alvie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Keno is the name of another Affenpinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Affenpinschers and Irish Setters that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
| Affenpinscher | Irish Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 out of 130 dog breeds | 35 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Affenpinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Affenpinscher belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Affenpinschers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Irish Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Irish Setter is more intelligent than the Affenpinscher.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Irish Setter
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Affenpinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Affenpinscher is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Affenpinscher
Popularity of Irish Setter
| Year | Affenpinscher Popularity Rank | Irish Setter Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 143 | 72 |
| 2014 | 144 | 73 |
| 2015 | 136 | 72 |
| 2016 | 149 | 76 |
| 2017 | 147 | 72 |
| 2018 | 148 | 77 |
| 2019 | 151 | 79 |
| 2020 | 163 | 75 |
Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Affenpinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Setter.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Affenpinscher than for the Irish Setter.
4 health tests are recommended for Affenpinscher while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Affenpinschers and in Irish Setters.
Affenpinscher Health Problems
Affenpinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Affenpinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Affenpinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Affenpinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Affenpinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Affenpinschers here.
Irish Setter Health Problems
Irish Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Setter puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Irish Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Irish Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Setters here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Affenpinschers and Irish Setters
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Affenpinscher Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Affenpinscher ranks 40 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 404 Affenpinschers, 16 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Affenpinschers, and how common these diseases are in Affenpinschers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Irish Setter Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Irish Setter ranks 13 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1455 Irish Setters, 139 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Setters, and how common these diseases are in Irish Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Affenpinscher and in Irish Setter and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter:
| Disease | Affenpinscher Rank | Irish Setter Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 40 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 44 out of 198 dog breeds | 99 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 73 out of 144 dog breeds | 92 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 157 out of 182 dog breeds | 67 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 13 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 35 out of 70 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter
Affenpinschers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.
How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Irish Setters?
Affenpinschers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Do Affenpinschers shed more than Irish Setters?
Affenpinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Irish Setter
Affenpinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
Affenpinschers are not easy to train.
Irish Setters are very easy to train.
Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
Affenpinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Irish Setter
Affenpinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
Affenpinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
Affenpinschers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Irish Setter?
Affenpinschers are moderately easy to groom.
Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
Affenpinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Irish Setters 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Affenpinscher or the Irish Setter?
Affenpinschers are very good for new dog owners.
Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Irish Setter?
Affenpinschers get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Affenpinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?
Affenpinschers adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
Affenpinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Setter that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Irish Setter:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Affenpinscher that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Affenpinscher:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Affenpinscher and how the Irish Setter compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Affenpinscher and of the Irish Setter to other breeds:
Affenpinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
Affenpinscher versus Collie Affenpinscher versus American Eskimo Dog Affenpinscher versus Basenji Affenpinscher versus Gordon Setter Affenpinscher versus Komondor Affenpinscher versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Affenpinscher versus Akita Chow Affenpinscher versus American Staffordshire Terrier Affenpinscher versus Mal Shi Affenpinscher versus Golden Cocker Retriever
Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Setter versus Greyhound Irish Setter versus Dachshund Irish Setter versus Miniature Pinscher Irish Setter versus Pomsky Irish Setter versus Chihuahua Irish Setter versus Japanese Chin Irish Setter versus German Wirehaired Pointer Irish Setter versus West Highland White Terrier Irish Setter versus Chorkie Irish Setter versus Black and Tan Coonhound
Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Irish Setter. 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 Affenpinscher and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.