Is the Boerboel Better than the Irish Setter as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Boerboel Versus Irish Setter: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boerboel 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 Boerboel 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 Boerboel and the Irish Setter.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boerboel 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 Boerboel 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 Boerboel 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 Boerboel or the Irish Setter.

Boerboel versus Irish Setter: Overview

A very important difference between the Boerboel and the Irish Setter is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Boerboel is a giant-sized dog while the Irish Setter is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Boerboel belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Boerboel versus Irish Setter: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boerboel 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 Boerboel and the Irish Setter

Factor Boerboel Irish Setter
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 15 years
Weight 110 to 200 pounds 60 to 70 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Height 22 to 28 inches 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2660 $1680
Price Range $2225 – $3000 $1200 – $2200
Temperament Score 94.7 percent 90.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
    		•
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Boerboel 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 Boerboel is 70 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 Boerboel. 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 Boerboel 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 Boerboel and the Irish Setter

    Below is a list of where the Boerboel and the Irish Setter are most different:

    • Boerboels do not get along well with other dogs. However, Irish Setters get along well with other dogs.
    • Boerboels are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Irish Setters are very friendly towards strangers.

    The Similarities Between the Boerboel and the Irish Setter

    The Boerboel and the Irish Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Boerboel and the Irish Setter are most similar:

    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Boerboel and the Irish Setter are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Boerboel versus Irish Setter

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boerboel and the Irish Setter.

    Boerboels weigh 110 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Boerboels are 22 to 28 inches 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 Boerboel versus Irish Setter

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

    The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters is 13.0 years.

    Irish Setters live longer than Boerboels.

    Temperament of the Boerboel Versus the Irish Setter

    The Boerboel has a better temperament than the Irish Setter.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boerboel is 94.7 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 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 94.7 percent, the Boerboel has an above-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 Boerboel and the Irish Setter by measuring the temperaments of 57 Boerboels and 154 Irish Setters.

    Price of Boerboel versus Price of Irish Setter

    The average price of the Boerboel puppy is $2660. The price of the Boerboel typically ranges from $2225 – $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 58 Boerboel 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 Boerboel is more expensive than the Irish Setter.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Boerboel and Irish Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Boerboel puppies or how many Irish Setter puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boerboels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boerboels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Boerboel 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.

    Health Problems of Boerboel 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 Boerboel 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 Boerboel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Setter.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Boerboel than for the Irish Setter.

    6 health tests are recommended for Boerboel while 3 tests are recommended for the Irish Setter.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Boerboels and in Irish Setters.

    Boerboel Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boerboel versus Irish Setter

    Boerboels do not like to be left alone.

    Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Do Boerboels shed more than Irish Setters?

    Boerboels shed moderately.

    Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Boerboel or the Irish Setter

    Boerboels have a very high tendency to drool.

    Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boerboel or the Irish Setter?

    Boerboels are very easy to groom.

    Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Boerboel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Setter?

    Boerboels 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 Boerboels Bark and Howl? What about Irish Setters?

    Boerboels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Irish Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Boerboels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Boerboels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boerboel vs. Irish Setter

    Boerboels 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 Boerboels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Boerboels can tolerate hot weather.

    Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boerboel or the Irish Setter?

    Boerboels do not get along well with other dogs.

    Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Boerboels good family dogs? What about Irish Setters?

    Boerboels 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 Boerboels and Irish Setters?

    Boerboels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Boerboel Easier to Train than the Irish Setter?

    Boerboels are not easy to train.

    Irish Setters are very easy to train.

    Is the Boerboel Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Setter?

    Boerboels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boerboel or the Irish Setter?

    Boerboels are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Irish Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Boerboel 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 Boerboel and the Irish Setter better suits you and your family.