Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Bloodhound Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
- Bloodhound versus Irish Setter: Overview
- Bloodhound versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter
- The Similarities Between the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter
- Size Comparison of Bloodhound versus Irish Setter
- Lifespan of Bloodhound versus Irish Setter
- Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Bloodhound
- Price of Bloodhound versus Price of Irish Setter
- The Intelligence of the Bloodhound versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
- Health Problems of Bloodhound versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
- Tolerates Being Alone: Bloodhound versus Irish Setter
- Do Bloodhounds shed more than Irish Setters?
- Which one drools more, the Bloodhound or the Irish Setter
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Bloodhound or the Irish Setter?
- Does the Bloodhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
- Do Bloodhounds Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
- Can Bloodhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Bloodhound vs. Irish Setter
- Can Bloodhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bloodhound or the Irish Setter?
- Are Bloodhounds good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
- How Kid-friendly are Bloodhounds and Irish Setters?
- Is the Bloodhound Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
- Conclusion: Bloodhound versus Irish Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?
Bloodhound Versus Irish Setter: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter? 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 Bloodhound and the Irish Setter 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 Bloodhound and the Irish Setter.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter 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 Bloodhound and for the Irish Setter. 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 Bloodhound and the Irish Setter.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Bloodhound or the Irish Setter.
Bloodhound versus Irish Setter: Overview
Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are similar in size. The Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are both large-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Bloodhound 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.
On the other hand, the Irish Setter 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.
Bloodhound versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Bloodhound to the Irish Setter 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 Bloodhound and the Irish Setter
| Factor | Bloodhound | Irish Setter |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 11 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 23 to 27 inches ttall at the shoulder | 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 80 to 110 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $920 | $1680 |
| Price Range | $700 – $1000 | $1200 – $2200 |
| Temperament Score | 75.0 percent | 90.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 74 | 35 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bloodhound 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 Setter. 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 Bloodhound is 64 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Setter is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Setter is a better pet than the Bloodhound. So, you should get the Irish Setter!
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 Bloodhound and the Irish Setter so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter
Below is a list of where the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are most different:
- Bloodhounds have a very high tendency to drool. However, Irish Setters do not have the tendency to drool.
The Similarities Between the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter
The Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are most similar:
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter do not adapt well to apartment living.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter do not like to be left alone.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter 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 Bloodhound and the Irish Setter shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are highly intelligent.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter get along well with other dogs.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are very friendly towards strangers.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter are prone to nip and chew at things.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
Size Comparison of Bloodhound versus Irish Setter
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter.
Bloodhounds weigh 80 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Bloodhounds are 23 to 27 inches ttall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho when fully grown.
Lifespan of Bloodhound versus Irish Setter
The lifespan of Bloodhounds is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Bloodhounds is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters is 13.0 years.
Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Bloodhound
The Irish Setter has a better temperament than the Bloodhound.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 percent while the temperament score for the Bloodhound is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Bloodhound has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 90.9 percent, the Irish Setter has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bloodhound and the Irish Setter by measuring the temperaments of 40 Bloodhounds and 154 Irish Setters.
Price of Bloodhound versus Price of Irish Setter
The average price of the Bloodhound puppy is $920. The price of the Bloodhound typically ranges from $700 – $1000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 168 Bloodhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Irish Setter is more expensive than the Bloodhound.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Bloodhound and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Bloodhound puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Bloodhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bloodhound puppy or the Irish Setter 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.
The Intelligence of the Bloodhound versus the Intelligence of the Irish Setter
`| Bloodhound | Irish Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 74 out of 130 dog breeds | 35 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Bloodhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 74 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bloodhound belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Bloodhounds tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Irish Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Irish Setter is more intelligent than the Bloodhound.
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 Bloodhound versus Health Problems of Irish Setter
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 Bloodhound and the Irish Setter 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 Bloodhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Setter.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bloodhound than for the Irish Setter.
6 health tests are recommended for Bloodhound while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bloodhounds and in Irish Setters.
Bloodhound Health Problems
Bloodhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bloodhound 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 Bloodhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bloodhound 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 Bloodhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bloodhounds here.
Irish Setter Health Problems
Irish Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Setter 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 Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Setter 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 Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Setters here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Bloodhound versus Irish Setter
Bloodhounds do not like to be left alone.
Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.
Do Bloodhounds shed more than Irish Setters?
Bloodhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Bloodhound or the Irish Setter
Bloodhounds have a very high tendency to drool.
Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Bloodhound or the Irish Setter?
Bloodhounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Bloodhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?
Bloodhounds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Irish Setters 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 Bloodhounds Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?
Bloodhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Bloodhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
Bloodhounds can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Bloodhound vs. Irish Setter
Bloodhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Bloodhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
Bloodhounds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bloodhound or the Irish Setter?
Bloodhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Are Bloodhounds good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?
Bloodhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Bloodhounds and Irish Setters?
Bloodhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Bloodhound Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?
Bloodhounds are fairly easy to train.
Irish Setters are very easy to train.
Is the Bloodhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?
Bloodhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bloodhound or the Irish Setter?
Bloodhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Bloodhound versus Irish Setter. 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 Bloodhound and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.