Differences and Similarities between the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Canaan Dog Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier? 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 Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier 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 Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier 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 Canaan Dog and for the Irish Terrier. 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 Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Canaan Dog or the Irish Terrier.

Canaan Dog versus Irish Terrier: Overview

Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are similar in size. The Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Canaan Dog 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 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.

Canaan Dog versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Canaan Dog to the Irish Terrier 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 Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier

Factor Canaan Dog Irish Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Weight 35 to 55 pounds 25 to 27 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $600 $1280
Price Range $600 – $600 $1000 – $1500
Temperament Score 62.5 percent 80.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 176 118

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Canaan Dog 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 Terrier. 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 Canaan Dog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Canaan Dog is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get the Canaan Dog!

    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 Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are most different:

  • Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Canaan Dogs are very easy to train. However, Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier

    The Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier 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 Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Canaan Dog versus Irish Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier.

    Canaan Dogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Canaan Dogs are 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Irish Terriers weigh 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. Irish Terriers are 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Canaan Dog versus Irish Terrier

    The lifespan of Canaan Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Canaan Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.

    Irish Terriers live longer than Canaan Dogs.

    Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Canaan Dog

    The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Canaan Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 percent while the temperament score for the Canaan Dog is 62.5 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 62.5 percent, the Canaan Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 8 Canaan Dogs and 10 Irish Terriers.

    Price of Canaan Dog versus Price of Irish Terrier

    The average price of the Canaan Dog puppy is $600. The price of the Canaan Dog typically ranges from $600 – $600. However, the price of a Canaan Dog can be as low as $600 and as high as $600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Canaan Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Irish Terrier puppy is $1280. The price of the Irish Terrier typically ranges from $1000 – $1500. However, the price of the Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 26 Irish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Irish Terrier is more expensive than the Canaan Dog.

    Canaan Dog Irish Terrier
    Average Price $600 $1280
    Price Range $600 to $600 $1000 to $1500

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Canaan Dog puppy or the Irish Terrier 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 Popularity of Canaan Dog versus Popularity of Irish Terrier

    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 Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Canaan Dog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Canaan Dog is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Year Canaan Dog Popularity Rank Irish Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 164 123
    2014 176 125
    2015 170 113
    2016 181 115
    2017 175 114
    2018 179 116
    2019 179 119
    2020 184 120

    Tolerates Being Alone: Canaan Dog versus Irish Terrier

    Canaan Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Canaan Dogs shed more than Irish Terriers?

    Canaan Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Canaan Dog or the Irish Terrier

    Canaan Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Canaan Dog or the Irish Terrier?

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Canaan Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?

    Canaan Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Irish Terriers 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.

    Do Canaan Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?

    Canaan Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Canaan Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Canaan Dog vs. Irish Terrier

    Canaan Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Canaan Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Canaan Dog or the Irish Terrier?

    Canaan Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Canaan Dogs good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?

    Canaan Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Canaan Dogs and Irish Terriers?

    Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Canaan Dog Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to train.

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Canaan Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?

    Canaan Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Canaan Dog or the Irish Terrier?

    Canaan Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Canaan Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog:

  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Canaan Dog). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish 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 Irish Terrier:

  • Hovawart (75 percent match with Irish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Hovawart.
  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Irish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Canaan Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Canaan Dog versus Chorkie     Canaan Dog versus Chinook     Canaan Dog versus Sealyham Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Swedish Vallhund     Canaan Dog versus Australian Kelpie     Canaan Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Canaan Dog versus Mudi     Canaan Dog versus Samoyed     Canaan Dog versus Affenpinscher     Canaan Dog versus Labradoodle     Canaan Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Canaan Dog versus Miniature Pinscher     Canaan Dog versus Boston Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Greyhound     Canaan Dog versus Affenpinscher     Canaan Dog versus Pomsky     Canaan Dog versus French Spaniel     Canaan Dog versus Weimaraner     Canaan Dog versus Pyredoodle     Canaan Dog versus Saint Bernard     Canaan Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Canaan Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Canaan Dog versus Irish Wolfhound     

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Dachshund     Irish Terrier versus Barbet     Irish Terrier versus Irish Setter     Irish Terrier versus French Bulldog     Irish Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Irish Terrier versus Carolina Dog     Irish Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Irish Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Irish Terrier versus Maltese     Irish Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Irish Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Chihuahua     Irish Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     Irish Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Afador     Irish Terrier versus Japanese Chin     Irish Terrier versus Bolognese     Irish Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Irish Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Puggle     Irish Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Irish Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Irish Terrier versus Whoodle     Irish Terrier versus Affenpinscher     Irish Terrier versus Rottweiler     

    Conclusion: Canaan Dog versus Irish Terrier. 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 Canaan Dog and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.