Cairn Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Cairn Terrier Versus Irish Water Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

Cairn Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cairn Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Cairn Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel

Factor Cairn Terrier Irish Water Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Weight 13 to 14 pounds 45 to 65 pounds
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1600 No Data
Price Range $1475 – $1750 No Data
Temperament Score 75.5 percent 90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 69 156
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 35 24

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier is 86 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 Cairn Terrier is a better pet than the Irish Water Spaniel. So, you should get the Cairn Terrier!

    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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel

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

  • Cairn Terriers are not easy to train. However, Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel

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

  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel

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

    Cairn Terriers weigh 13 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Cairn Terriers are 9 to 10 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 Cairn Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel

    The lifespan of Cairn Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cairn Terriers is 13.5 years.

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

    Cairn Terriers live longer than Irish Water Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Irish Water Spaniel Versus the Cairn Terrier

    The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Cairn Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 percent while the temperament score for the Cairn Terrier is 75.5 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 75.5 percent, the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 53 Cairn Terriers and 30 Irish Water Spaniels.

    The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel

    Cairn Terrier Irish Water Spaniel
    Intelligence Rank 35 out of 130 dog breeds 24 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Cairn Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Cairn Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Irish Water Spaniel is more intelligent than the Cairn Terrier.

    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.

    The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cairn Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Water Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cairn Terrier is 69 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Water Spaniel is 156 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cairn Terrier

    Popularity of Cairn Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel

    Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel

    Year Cairn Terrier Popularity Rank Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 61 141
    2014 69 152
    2015 70 144
    2016 70 150
    2017 69 164
    2018 69 159
    2019 72 170
    2020 73 174

    Health Problems of Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Cairn Terrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Water Spaniel.

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

    Cairn Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cairn Terriers 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cairn Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Cairn Terrier Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Cairn Terrier ranks 47 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 282 Cairn Terriers, 9 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cairn Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Cairn Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 47 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 87 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 118 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 146 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Irish Water Spaniel Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Irish Water Spaniel ranks 5 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 111 Irish Water Spaniels, 7 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Water Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Irish Water Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 5 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 9 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 18 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 31 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 104 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 105 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 150 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Cairn Terrier and in Irish Water Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Water Spaniel:

    Disease Cairn Terrier Rank Irish Water Spaniel Rank
    Patella problems 47 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 87 out of 115 dog breeds 105 out of 115 dog breeds
    Hips problems 118 out of 198 dog breeds 104 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 146 out of 182 dog breeds 150 out of 182 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 5 out of 71 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 9 out of 159 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 18 out of 22 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 31 out of 144 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel

    Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Irish Water Spaniels?

    Cairn Terriers shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel

    Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terrier or the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Cairn Terriers 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.

    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 Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Irish Water Spaniel

    Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Water Spaniels?

    Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terriers and Irish Water Spaniels?

    Cairn Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.

    Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Cairn Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Water Spaniel?

    Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cairn Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Cairn Terrier:

  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (81 percent match with Cairn Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Water Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Irish Water Spaniel:

  • Kerry Blue Terrier (78 percent match with Irish Water Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Cairn Terrier vs Kerry Blue Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cairn Terrier and how the Irish Water Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cairn Terrier and of the Irish Water Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cairn Terrier versus Greyhound     Cairn Terrier versus Cane Corso     Cairn Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Cairn Terrier versus Maltipoo     Cairn Terrier versus Whippet     Cairn Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Cairn Terrier versus Bulldog     Cairn Terrier versus Saluki     Cairn Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Cairn Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso     Cairn Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Cairn Terrier versus Basset Hound     Cairn Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Cairn Terrier versus German Pinscher     Cairn Terrier versus Whippet     Cairn Terrier versus Maltipoo     Cairn Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Cairn Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Cairn Terrier versus Australian Shepherd     Cairn Terrier versus Mastiff     Cairn Terrier versus Berger Picard     Cairn Terrier versus Dalmatian     Cairn Terrier versus Weimaraner     

    Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Water Spaniel versus Border Collie     Irish Water Spaniel versus Redbone Coonhound     Irish Water Spaniel versus German Pinscher     Irish Water Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog     Irish Water Spaniel versus Kuvasz     Irish Water Spaniel versus Shichon     Irish Water Spaniel versus American Foxhound     Irish Water Spaniel versus Border Collie     Irish Water Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler     Irish Water Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Irish Water Spaniel versus Afador     Irish Water Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur     Irish Water Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund     Irish Water Spaniel versus Cocker Spaniel     Irish Water Spaniel versus Cavachon     Irish Water Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     Irish Water Spaniel versus Akita Chow     Irish Water Spaniel versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Irish Water Spaniel versus Maltese     Irish Water Spaniel versus Boerboel     Irish Water Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     Irish Water Spaniel versus Cockalier     

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