Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Airedale Terrier Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
- Airedale Terrier versus Irish Setter: Overview
- Airedale Terrier versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter
- Size (Weight and Height) of Airedale Terrier versus Irish Setter
- Price of Airedale Terrier versus Price of Irish Setter
- The Intelligence of the Airedale Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
- The Popularity of Airedale Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Setter
- Health Problems of Airedale Terrier versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
- Which one drools more, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Setter
- Tolerates Being Alone: Airedale Terrier versus Irish Setter
- Do Airedale Terriers shed more than Irish Setters?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Setter?
- Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
- How Kid-friendly are Airedale Terriers and Irish Setters?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Setter?
- Is the Airedale Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
- Do Airedale Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
- Wanderlust Potential: Airedale Terrier vs. Irish Setter
- Does the Airedale Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Airedale Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Setter
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Airedale Terrier versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?
Airedale Terrier Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier or the Irish Setter
Airedale Terrier versus Irish Setter: Overview
A very important difference between the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Airedale Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Irish Setter is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Airedale Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
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.
Airedale Terrier versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Airedale Terrier 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 | Airedale Terrier | Irish Setter |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 11 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| 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 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1360 | $1680 |
| Price Range | $950 – $1800 | $1200 – $2200 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 57 | 74 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 29 | 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 Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Setter is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Setter is a better pet than the Airedale Terrier. So, you should get the Irish Setter!
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 Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter
The Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Airedale Terrier versus Irish Setter
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter.
Airedale Terriers weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Airedale Terriers are 21 to 23 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 Airedale Terrier versus Price of Irish Setter
The average price of the Airedale Terrier puppy is $1360. The price of the Airedale Terrier typically ranges from $950 – $1800. However, the price of a Airedale Terrier can be as low as $250 and as high as $3135. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 282 Airedale Terrier 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 Irish Setter is more expensive than the Airedale Terrier.
| Airedale Terrier | Irish Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1360 | $1680 |
| Price Range | $950 to $1800 | $1200 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Airedale Terrier and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Airedale Terrier puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Airedale Terriers. 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 Airedale Terrier 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.
The Intelligence of the Airedale Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
| Airedale Terrier | Irish Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 29 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 Airedale Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 29 out of 130 dog breeds. The Airedale Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Airedale Terriers 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 Airedale Terrier is more intelligent than the Irish Setter.
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 Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Airedale Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Setter. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Airedale Terrier is 57 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Airedale Terrier
Popularity of Irish Setter
| Year | Airedale Terrier Popularity Rank | Irish Setter Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 56 | 72 |
| 2014 | 57 | 73 |
| 2015 | 53 | 72 |
| 2016 | 55 | 76 |
| 2017 | 55 | 72 |
| 2018 | 60 | 77 |
| 2019 | 60 | 79 |
| 2020 | 62 | 75 |
Health Problems of Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Setter.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Airedale Terrier than for the Irish Setter.
5 health tests are recommended for Airedale Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Airedale Terriers and in Irish Setters.
Airedale Terrier Health Problems
Airedale Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Airedale Terriers 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.
Is the Airedale Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?
Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Setter
Airedale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Setter?
Airedale Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Airedale Terrier versus Irish Setter
Airedale Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.
Do Airedale Terriers shed more than Irish Setters?
Airedale Terriers 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 is Easier to Groom, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Setter?
Airedale Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
Airedale Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
Airedale Terriers 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.
Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
Airedale Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Airedale Terriers and Irish Setters?
Airedale Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Setter?
Airedale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Airedale Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
Airedale Terriers are very easy to train.
Irish Setters are very easy to train.
Do Airedale Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
Airedale Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Airedale Terrier vs. Irish Setter
Airedale Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Does the Airedale Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
Airedale Terriers 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.
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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Airedale Terrier
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 Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Airedale Terrier and how the Irish Setter compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Airedale Terrier and of the Irish Setter to other breeds:
Airedale Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Airedale Terrier versus Briard Airedale Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Airedale Terrier versus Saint Bernard Airedale Terrier versus Cane Corso Airedale Terrier versus Pug Airedale Terrier versus Chow Chow Airedale Terrier versus Barbet Airedale Terrier versus Japanese Chin Airedale Terrier versus Lhasapoo
Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Setter versus Cesky Terrier Irish Setter versus Kooikerhondje Irish Setter versus Mastiff Irish Setter versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Irish Setter versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Irish Setter versus Bullmastiff Irish Setter versus Azawakh Irish Setter versus Affenhuahua Irish Setter versus Spanish Mastiff Irish Setter versus Afghan Hound
Conclusion: Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.