Which is Better between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound? A Very Detailed Review.

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American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Irish Wolfhound: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound? 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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound 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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound 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 Pit Bull Terrier and for the Irish Wolfhound. 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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Irish Wolfhound.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound: Overview

A very important difference between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Irish Wolfhound is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Pit Bull 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 Wolfhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Pit Bull Terrier to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound

Factor American Pit Bull Terrier Irish Wolfhound
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 6 to 8 years
Height 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Weight 30 to 85 pounds 115 to 180 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 7.0 years
Average Price $1140 $1930
Price Range $400 – $1200 $1500 – $2400
Temperament Score 87.4 percent 90.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Pit Bull 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 Wolfhound. 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 Pit Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Wolfhound is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Wolfhound is a better pet than the American Pit Bull Terrier. So, you should get the Irish Wolfhound!

    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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound

    Below is a list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound are most different:

  • American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Irish Wolfhounds get along well with other dogs.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds However, Irish Wolfhounds have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Irish Wolfhounds do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound

    The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound are most similar:

  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound.

    American Pit Bull Terriers weigh 30 to 85 pounds when fully grown. American Pit Bull Terriers are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound

    The lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 years.

    American Pit Bull Terriers live longer than Irish Wolfhounds.

    Temperament of the Irish Wolfhound Versus the American Pit Bull Terrier

    The Irish Wolfhound has a better temperament than the American Pit Bull Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 percent while the temperament score for the American Pit Bull Terrier is 87.4 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 87.4 percent, the American Pit Bull Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 90.1 percent, the Irish Wolfhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound by measuring the temperaments of 931 American Pit Bull Terriers and 101 Irish Wolfhounds.

    Price of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Price of Irish Wolfhound

    The average price of the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is $1140. The price of the American Pit Bull Terrier typically ranges from $400 – $1200. However, the price of a American Pit Bull Terrier can be as low as $100 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 877 American Pit Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Irish Wolfhound puppy is $1930. The price of the Irish Wolfhound typically ranges from $1500 – $2400. However, the price of the Irish Wolfhound can be as low as $720 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 91 Irish Wolfhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Irish Wolfhound is more expensive than the American Pit Bull Terrier.

    American Pit Bull Terrier Irish Wolfhound
    Average Price $1140 $1930
    Price Range $400 to $1200 $1500 to $2400

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Pit Bull Terrier and Irish Wolfhound. For different price points, the charts show how many American Pit Bull Terrier puppies or how many Irish Wolfhound puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Wolfhounds

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Wolfhounds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy or the Irish Wolfhound 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers shed more than Irish Wolfhounds?

    American Pit Bull Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Irish Wolfhound

    American Pit Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Irish Wolfhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the American Pit Bull Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Wolfhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Pit Bull Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Wolfhounds?

    American Pit Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Pit Bull Terrier vs. Irish Wolfhound

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Irish Wolfhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Pit Bull Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Wolfhounds?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Pit Bull Terriers and Irish Wolfhounds?

    American Pit Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Wolfhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Wolfhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Irish Wolfhound?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Pit Bull 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 American Pit Bull Terrier:

  • American Staffordshire Terrier (76 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs American Staffordshire Terrier.
  • American Water Spaniel (74 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs American Water Spaniel.
  • German Shepherd Dog (77 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs German Shepherd Dog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound:

  • Bracco Italiano (74 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Cavapoo (72 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Cavapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Pit Bull Terrier and how the Irish Wolfhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier and of the Irish Wolfhound to other breeds:

    American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Mastiff     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Akbash     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Puli     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Bich Poo     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Leonberger     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Mudi     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Whippet     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Irish Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Pyredoodle     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Puli     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Bearded Collie     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Basset Hound     

    Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Wolfhound versus Valley Bulldog     Irish Wolfhound versus Spinone Italiano     Irish Wolfhound versus Redbone Coonhound     Irish Wolfhound versus Doberman Pinscher     Irish Wolfhound versus Irish Setter     Irish Wolfhound versus Karelian Bear Dog     Irish Wolfhound versus Samoyed     Irish Wolfhound versus Norfolk Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus English Toy Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Irish Wolfhound versus Pug     Irish Wolfhound versus Boerboel     Irish Wolfhound versus Field Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Great Pyrenees     Irish Wolfhound versus English Springer Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Chihuahua     Irish Wolfhound versus Affenpinscher     Irish Wolfhound versus Australian Kelpie     Irish Wolfhound versus Dutch Shepherd     Irish Wolfhound versus English Springer Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Chow Chow     Irish Wolfhound versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Irish Wolfhound versus Brittany     Irish Wolfhound versus Siberian Husky     

    Conclusion: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound. 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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound better suits you and your family.