Is the Belgian Tervuren Better than the Irish Water Spaniel as a Pet? Our Answer.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Belgian Tervuren Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Belgian Tervuren versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Belgian Tervuren is a large-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Belgian Tervuren 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.

Belgian Tervuren versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel

FactorBelgian TervurenIrish Water Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Life Span10 to 12 years10 to 12 years
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Low Prey Drive4/51/5
Height21 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/54/5
Kid-Friendly3/55/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
Easy To Groom3/53/5
General Health3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
Does NOT Shed2/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Weight40 to 70 pounds45 to 65 pounds
Easygoing1/52/5
Easy To Train5/55/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan11.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1630No Data
Price Range$1200 – $2000No Data
Temperament Score81.4 percent90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)1424

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren. 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel are most different:

    • Belgian Tervurens have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Irish Water Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Belgian Tervurens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    The Similarities Between the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel

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

    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel are very easy to train.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Belgian Tervuren versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel.

    Belgian Tervurens weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Belgian Tervurens are 21 to 26 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 Belgian Tervuren versus Irish Water Spaniel

    The lifespan of Belgian Tervurens is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Belgian Tervurens is 11.0 years.

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

    Temperament of the Belgian Tervuren Versus the Irish Water Spaniel

    The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Belgian Tervuren.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Belgian Tervuren is 81.4 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 81.4 percent, the Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 521 Belgian Tervurens and 30 Irish Water Spaniels.

    The Intelligence of the Belgian Tervuren versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel

    `
    Belgian Tervuren Irish Water Spaniel
    Intelligence Rank 14 out of 130 dog breeds 24 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    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 Belgian Tervuren has an obedience intelligence rank of 14 out of 130 dog breeds. The Belgian Tervuren belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Belgian Tervurens tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Belgian Tervuren is more intelligent than the Irish Water Spaniel.

    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.

    Health Problems of Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren 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 more genetic health problems than the Belgian Tervuren.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Water Spaniel than for the Belgian Tervuren.

    4 health tests are recommended for Belgian Tervuren while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Water Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Belgian Tervurens and in Irish Water Spaniels.

    Belgian Tervuren Health Problems

    Belgian Tervurens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervurens for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Belgian Tervurens 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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Water Spaniels here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Tervuren versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Belgian Tervurens do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Belgian Tervurens shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?

    Belgian Tervurens shed. They are not recommended 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 Belgian Tervuren or the Irish Water Spaniel

    Belgian Tervurens 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 Belgian Tervuren or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Belgian Tervurens are moderately easy to groom.

    Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Belgian Tervuren Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Belgian Tervurens have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Belgian Tervurens Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Belgian Tervurens 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 Belgian Tervurens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Belgian Tervurens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Tervuren vs. Irish Water Spaniel

    Belgian Tervurens 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.

    Can Belgian Tervurens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Belgian Tervurens 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 Belgian Tervuren or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Belgian Tervurens get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Belgian Tervurens good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Belgian Tervurens 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 Belgian Tervurens and Irish Water Spaniels?

    Belgian Tervurens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Belgian Tervuren Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Belgian Tervurens are very easy to train.

    Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Belgian Tervuren Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Belgian Tervurens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Belgian Tervuren or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Belgian Tervurens are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Conclusion: Belgian Tervuren 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 Belgian Tervuren and the Irish Water Spaniel better suits you and your family.