Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Cardigan Welsh Corgi Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the Irish Terrier.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a small-sized dog while the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier

Factor Cardigan Welsh Corgi Irish Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 inches to 1 foot tall at the shoulder 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 5/5
Weight 25 to 38 pounds 25 to 27 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2100 $1280
Price Range $1250 – $3000 $1000 – $1500
Temperament Score 80.5 percent 80.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • approved laboratory
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy 3 (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 70 118
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 26 53

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.

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

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

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are most different:

  • Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very easy to train. However, Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier

    The Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier.

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis weigh 25 to 38 pounds when fully grown. Cardigan Welsh Corgis are 10 inches to 1 foot 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    The lifespan of Cardigan Welsh Corgis is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cardigan Welsh Corgis 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgis.

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 80.5 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 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 80.5 percent, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 77 Cardigan Welsh Corgis and 10 Irish Terriers.

    Price of Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Price of Irish Terrier

    The average price of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy is $2100. The price of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi typically ranges from $1250 – $3000. However, the price of a Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be as low as $700 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 117 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi Irish Terrier
    Average Price $2100 $1280
    Price Range $1250 to $3000 $1000 to $1500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cardigan Welsh Corgis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cardigan Welsh Corgis. 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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.

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    The Intelligence of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi Irish Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 26 out of 130 dog breeds 53 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi has an obedience intelligence rank of 26 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Cardigan Welsh Corgis tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is more intelligent than the Irish 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 70 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Year Cardigan Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank Irish Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 75 123
    2014 78 125
    2015 76 113
    2016 69 115
    2017 68 114
    2018 68 116
    2019 66 119
    2020 66 120

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cardigan Welsh Corgis shed more than Irish Terriers?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the Irish Terrier

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the Irish Terrier?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis 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 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgis Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Cardigan Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs. Irish Terrier

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Cardigan Welsh Corgis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the Irish Terrier?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Cardigan Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgis and Irish Terriers?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi or the Irish Terrier?

    Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi:

  • West Highland White Terrier (84 percent match with Cardigan Welsh Corgi). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Hovawart.
  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Irish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Pomapoo     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Cockapoo     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Fila Brasileiro     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Dalmatian     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Finnish Spitz     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Whoodle     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Bernedoodle     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Australian Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Bluetick Coonhound     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Belgian Sheepdog     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Belgian Tervuren     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Bull Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Westiepoo     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Lhasa Apso     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Bichon Frise     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Canaan Dog     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Pomchi     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Finnish Spitz     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Black Russian Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Norfolk Terrier     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Bouvier des Flandres     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Morkie     Cardigan Welsh Corgi versus Newfoundland     

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Harrier     Irish Terrier versus Maltese     Irish Terrier versus Sloughi     Irish Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Irish Terrier versus Pekingese     Irish Terrier versus Sloughi     Irish Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Irish Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Irish Terrier versus Greyhound     Irish Terrier versus French Bulldog     Irish Terrier versus Pomsky     Irish Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Maltese     Irish Terrier versus Pomchi     Irish Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Irish Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Irish Terrier versus German Pinscher     Irish Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Basset Hound     Irish Terrier versus Golden Retriever     Irish Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Akita Chow     Irish Terrier versus Samoyed     Irish Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Irish Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     

    Conclusion: Cardigan Welsh Corgi 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 Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.