Quick Links: Table of Contents
- American Hairless Terrier Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
- American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
- American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
- Size Comparison of American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Lifespan of American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Temperament of the Irish Water Spaniel Versus the American Hairless Terrier
- Health Problems of American Hairless Terrier versus Health Problems of Irish Water Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
- Do American Hairless Terriers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the American Hairless Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the American Hairless Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Does the American Hairless Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Do American Hairless Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- Can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: American Hairless Terrier vs. Irish Water Spaniel
- Can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Hairless Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Are American Hairless Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are American Hairless Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels?
- Is the American Hairless Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
- Conclusion: American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
American Hairless Terrier Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Hairless Terrier 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 American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Hairless 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 American Hairless 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel.
American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview
A very important difference between the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Hairless Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the American Hairless 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.
American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the American Hairless 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.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
| Factor | American Hairless Terrier | Irish Water Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 10 to 16 pounds | 45 to 65 pounds |
| Height | 12 to 16 inches | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 13 to 16 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1840 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1625 – $2000 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 83.3 percent | 90.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Hairless 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 the American Hairless Terrier is 82 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 American Hairless Terrier is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. So, you should get the American Hairless Terrier!
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 American Hairless Terrier 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 American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
Below is a list of where the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are most different:
- American Hairless Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate cold weather.
The Similarities Between the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel
The American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly intelligent.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are very playful.
Size Comparison of American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel.
American Hairless Terriers weigh 10 to 16 pounds when fully grown. American Hairless Terriers are 12 to 16 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 American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
The lifespan of American Hairless Terriers is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Hairless Terriers is 14.5 years.
The lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is 11.0 years.
American Hairless Terriers live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.
Temperament of the Irish Water Spaniel Versus the American Hairless Terrier
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the American Hairless Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the American Hairless Terrier is 83.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 83.3 percent, the American Hairless Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 90.0 percent, the Irish Water Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 6 American Hairless Terriers and 30 Irish Water Spaniels.
Health Problems of American Hairless 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. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Water Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Hairless Terrier than for the Irish Water Spaniel.
9 health tests are recommended for American Hairless Terrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Water Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Hairless Terriers and in Irish Water Spaniels.
American Hairless Terrier Health Problems
American Hairless Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Hairless 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: American Hairless Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel
American Hairless Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Do American Hairless Terriers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?
American Hairless 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 one drools more, the American Hairless Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel
American Hairless Terriers 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 American Hairless Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
American Hairless Terriers are very easy to groom.
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Does the American Hairless Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?
American Hairless 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.
Do American Hairless Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
American Hairless Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Irish Water Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
American Hairless Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: American Hairless Terrier vs. Irish Water Spaniel
American Hairless Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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.
Can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
American Hairless Terriers 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 American Hairless Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
American Hairless Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are American Hairless Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?
American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels?
American Hairless Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the American Hairless Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?
American Hairless Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Is the American Hairless Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?
American Hairless Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Hairless Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?
American Hairless Terriers are OK for new dog owners.
Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.