Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better than the Irish Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Irish Terrier.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Terrier

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier

Factor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Irish Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 13 to 18 pounds 25 to 27 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Life Span 9 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2440 $1280
Price Range $1800 – $3000 $1000 – $1500
Temperament Score 85.5 percent 80.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 18 118
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 44 53

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavalier King Charles 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 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Irish Terrier. So, you should get the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier are most different:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train. However, Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with other dogs. However, Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier

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

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels weigh 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are 12 to 13 inches 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Terrier

    The lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is 12.0 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Terrier

    Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an above-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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 10 Irish Terriers.

    Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of Irish Terrier

    The average price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2440. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be as low as $300 and as high as $29550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1217 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Irish Terrier
    Average Price $2440 $1280
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $1000 to $1500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Terrier

    The Intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Irish Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 44 out of 130 dog breeds 53 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 18 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Year Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank Irish Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 18 123
    2014 19 125
    2015 18 113
    2016 19 115
    2017 19 114
    2018 18 116
    2019 16 119
    2020 17 120

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Terrier

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Irish Terriers?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Irish Terrier

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Irish Terrier?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Irish Terrier

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Irish Terrier?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Irish Terriers?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Irish Terrier?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Cavachon.
  • Cockalier (81 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Irish Terrier vs Cockalier.
  • 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Hovawart.
  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Irish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Cattle Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Skye Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cavachon     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Giant Schnauzer     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pomapoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Hairless Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Finnish Lapphund     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norfolk Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Plott     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chow Chow     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cockalier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cockapoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Kuvasz     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Spinone Italiano     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Westiepoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Mudi     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     

    Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Terrier versus Cavachon     Irish Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Irish Terrier versus Newfoundland     Irish Terrier versus American Water Spaniel     Irish Terrier versus Brittany     Irish Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Irish Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Irish Terrier versus Pomchi     Irish Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Irish Terrier versus Chinook     Irish Terrier versus Pointer     Irish Terrier versus Schipperke     Irish Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Irish Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     Irish Terrier versus Maltipoo     Irish Terrier versus French Bulldog     Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Irish Terrier versus Puggle     Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Irish Terrier versus Bearded Collie     Irish Terrier versus Lhasa Apso     Irish Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Irish Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.