A Detailed Comparison of the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel.

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Boykin Spaniel Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Boykin Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel 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.

Boykin Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel

Factor Boykin Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Height 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
General Health 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Weight 25 to 40 pounds 45 to 65 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1110 No Data
Price Range $900 – $1225 No Data
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
  • 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 Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel is 71 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 Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel

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

    • Boykin Spaniels 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.
    • Boykin Spaniels 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel

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

    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel are very easy to train.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel are very playful.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Boykin Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel

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

    Boykin Spaniels weigh 25 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Boykin Spaniels are 14 to 18 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 Boykin Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel

    The lifespan of Boykin Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Boykin Spaniels 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 Irish Water Spaniel Versus the Boykin Spaniel

    The Boykin Spaniel has a better temperament than the Irish Water Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boykin Spaniel is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 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 100.0 percent, the Boykin Spaniel has an above-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 Boykin Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 2 Boykin Spaniels and 30 Irish Water Spaniels.

    Health Problems of Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Irish Water Spaniel.

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

    8 health tests are recommended for Boykin Spaniel while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Water Spaniel.

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

    Boykin Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Boykin Spaniels 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: Boykin Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Boykin Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do Boykin Spaniels shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?

    Boykin Spaniels 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 Boykin Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel

    Boykin Spaniels 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 Boykin Spaniel or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Boykin Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Boykin Spaniels 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 Boykin Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Boykin Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Boykin Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boykin Spaniel vs. Irish Water Spaniel

    Boykin Spaniels 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 Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Boykin Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Boykin Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Boykin Spaniels good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Boykin Spaniels 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 Boykin Spaniels and Irish Water Spaniels?

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

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

    Is the Boykin Spaniel Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Boykin Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Boykin Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Boykin Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Boykin Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

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

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