Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Airedale Terrier Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
- Airedale Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
- Airedale Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Airedale Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Airedale Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Popularity of Airedale Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
- Health Problems of Airedale Terrier versus Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel
- Which one drools more, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Airedale Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Do Airedale Terriers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Airedale Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Is the Airedale Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Do Airedale Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- Wanderlust Potential: Airedale Terrier vs. Irish Water Spaniel
- Does the Airedale Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Airedale Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Airedale Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Airedale Terrier Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel? 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 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 Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel
Airedale Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
Both the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are similar in size. The Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are both medium-sized dogs.
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 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.
Airedale Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Airedale Terrier 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.
| Factor | Airedale Terrier | Irish Water Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 45 to 65 pounds |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1360 | No Data |
| Price Range | $950 – $1800 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 57 | 156 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 29 | 24 |
*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 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 a Airedale Terrier is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Irish Water Spaniel is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Airedale Terrier. 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 Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
The Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Airedale Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
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 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.
The Intelligence of the Airedale Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel
| Airedale Terrier | Irish Water Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 29 out of 130 dog breeds | 24 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 24 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Irish Water Spaniel is more intelligent than the Airedale Terrier.
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 Water Spaniel
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 Water Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Airedale Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. 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 Water Spaniel is 156 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Airedale Terrier
Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel
| Year | Airedale Terrier Popularity Rank | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 56 | 141 |
| 2014 | 57 | 152 |
| 2015 | 53 | 144 |
| 2016 | 55 | 150 |
| 2017 | 55 | 164 |
| 2018 | 60 | 159 |
| 2019 | 60 | 170 |
| 2020 | 62 | 174 |
Health Problems of Airedale Terrier versus Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel
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 Water Spaniel 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 Irish Water Spaniel is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Airedale Terrier.
5 health tests are recommended for Airedale Terrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Water Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Airedale Terriers and in Irish Water Spaniels.
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 Water Spaniel Health Problems
Irish Water Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Water Spaniels here.
Is the Airedale Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel
Airedale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Water Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Airedale Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Airedale Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
Airedale Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Airedale Terriers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
Airedale Terriers 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 is Easier to Groom, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Airedale Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Airedale Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Airedale Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Airedale Terriers 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 Airedale Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels?
Airedale Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Airedale Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
Airedale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Airedale Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
Airedale Terriers are very easy to train.
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Do Airedale Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
Airedale Terriers 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.
Wanderlust Potential: Airedale Terrier vs. Irish Water Spaniel
Airedale Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Water Spaniels have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Does the Airedale Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
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 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Airedale Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
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 Water Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Airedale Terrier and of the Irish Water Spaniel to other breeds:
Airedale Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Airedale Terrier versus Welsh Terrier Airedale Terrier versus Komondor Airedale Terrier versus Boston Terrier Airedale Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier Airedale Terrier versus Pug Airedale Terrier versus Kai Ken Airedale Terrier versus Dogo Argentino Airedale Terrier versus Labradoodle Airedale Terrier versus Komondor Airedale Terrier versus Harrier
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Schnoodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Mastiff Irish Water Spaniel versus American Foxhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Brittany Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon Irish Water Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund Irish Water Spaniel versus Field Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Keeshond Irish Water Spaniel versus Standard Poodle
Conclusion: Airedale Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.