A Detailed Comparison of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel.

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Appenzeller Sennenhunde Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Irish Water Spaniel.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview

Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are similar in size. The Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel

Factor Appenzeller Sennenhunde Irish Water Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Height 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 48 to 55 pounds 45 to 65 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Life Span 9 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde is 77 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 Irish Water Spaniel is a better pet than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde. 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are most different:

    • Appenzeller Sennenhundes are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Irish Water Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers.

    The Similarities Between the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel

    The Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are most similar:

    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are very easy to train.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are very playful.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Appenzeller Sennenhundes are 19 to 22 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.

    Lifespan of Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Irish Water Spaniel

    The lifespan of Appenzeller Sennenhundes is between 9 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Appenzeller Sennenhundes is 10.5 years.

    The lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is 11.0 years.

    Irish Water Spaniels live longer than Appenzeller Sennenhundes.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Appenzeller Sennenhunde versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not like to be left alone.

    Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Appenzeller Sennenhundes shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes shed moderately.

    Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Irish Water Spaniel

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to groom.

    Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Appenzeller Sennenhunde Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Appenzeller Sennenhundes Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes 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.

    Can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Appenzeller Sennenhunde vs. Irish Water Spaniel

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes 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 Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes can tolerate hot weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Appenzeller Sennenhundes good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes 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 Appenzeller Sennenhundes and Irish Water Spaniels?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Appenzeller Sennenhunde Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to train.

    Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Appenzeller Sennenhunde Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Appenzeller Sennenhunde or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are OK for new dog owners.

    Irish Water Spaniels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.