Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chinook Versus Irish Wolfhound: Introduction
- Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound: Overview
- Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound
- The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound
- Lifespan of Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound
- Temperament of the Chinook Versus the Irish Wolfhound
- The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Irish Wolfhound
- Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound
- Do Chinooks shed more than Irish Wolfhounds?
- Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Irish Wolfhound
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Irish Wolfhound?
- Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Wolfhound?
- Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Irish Wolfhound
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Irish Wolfhound?
- Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
- How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Irish Wolfhounds?
- Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Irish Wolfhound?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinook
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chinook Versus Irish Wolfhound: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound? 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 Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound 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 Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound 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 Chinook and for the Irish Wolfhound. 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 Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chinook or the Irish Wolfhound.
Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound: Overview
A very important difference between the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the Irish Wolfhound is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chinook belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the Irish Wolfhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chinook to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound
| Factor | Chinook | Irish Wolfhound |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 6 to 8 years |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder | 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 115 to 180 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 7.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1500 – $2400 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1930 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 90.1 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 177 | 73 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Wolfhound. 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 Chinook is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Wolfhound is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chinook is a better pet than the Irish Wolfhound. So, you should get the Chinook!
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 Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound
Below is a list of where the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound
The Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound.
Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound
The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 years.
Chinooks live longer than Irish Wolfhounds.
Temperament of the Chinook Versus the Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound has a better temperament than the Chinook.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 90.1 percent, the Irish Wolfhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 101 Irish Wolfhounds.
The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Irish Wolfhound
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 Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Wolfhound is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Wolfhound is 73 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chinook
Popularity of Irish Wolfhound
| Year | Chinook Popularity Rank | Irish Wolfhound Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 156 | 73 |
| 2014 | 171 | 72 |
| 2015 | 177 | 69 |
| 2016 | 175 | 73 |
| 2017 | 179 | 73 |
| 2018 | 190 | 76 |
| 2019 | 184 | 76 |
| 2020 | 186 | 74 |
Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound
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 Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Wolfhound than for the Chinook.
3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Wolfhound.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Irish Wolfhounds.
Chinook Health Problems
Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook 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 Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook 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 Chinooks for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.
Irish Wolfhound Health Problems
Irish Wolfhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Wolfhounds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Irish Wolfhounds
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 Chinook Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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 Wolfhound Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the Irish Wolfhound ranks 11 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 682 Irish Wolfhounds, 12 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Wolfhounds, and how common these diseases are in Irish Wolfhounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Irish Wolfhound and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound:
| Disease | Chinook Rank | Irish Wolfhound Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 5 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 63 out of 198 dog breeds | 164 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 82 out of 182 dog breeds | 50 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 11 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 12 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 34 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: Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound
Chinooks do not like to be left alone.
Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.
Do Chinooks shed more than Irish Wolfhounds?
Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Irish Wolfhound
Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Irish Wolfhound?
Chinooks require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Wolfhound?
Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
Chinooks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Irish Wolfhound
Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Irish Wolfhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Irish Wolfhound?
Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
Chinooks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Irish Wolfhounds?
Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Irish Wolfhound?
Chinooks are very easy to train.
Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.
Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Wolfhound?
Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinook or the Irish Wolfhound?
Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinook
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook 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 Chinook:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Chinook and how the Irish Wolfhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinook and of the Irish Wolfhound to other breeds:
Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chinook versus Border Collie Chinook versus Akita Chinook versus Pomsky Chinook versus Pharaoh Hound Chinook versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Chinook versus Bearded Collie Chinook versus Bulldog Chinook versus American Staffordshire Terrier Chinook versus Miniature Schnauzer Chinook versus Bichon Frise Chinook versus Lagotto Romagnolo Chinook versus Lagotto Romagnolo Chinook versus Cesky Terrier Chinook versus Ibizan Hound Chinook versus Briard Chinook versus Bedlington Terrier Chinook versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Chinook versus Australian Cattle Dog Chinook versus Bedlington Terrier Chinook versus English Springer Spaniel Chinook versus Bull Terrier Chinook versus German Shepherd Dog Chinook versus Chi-Poo Chinook versus Coton de Tulear Chinook versus Chi-Poo
Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Wolfhound versus Norfolk Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Chi-Poo Irish Wolfhound versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Irish Wolfhound versus Cockalier Irish Wolfhound versus Bich Poo Irish Wolfhound versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Irish Wolfhound versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Irish Wolfhound versus Australian Kelpie Irish Wolfhound versus Ibizan Hound Irish Wolfhound versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Irish Wolfhound versus English Toy Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus German Wirehaired Pointer Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Lundehund Irish Wolfhound versus Shiranian Irish Wolfhound versus Japanese Chin Irish Wolfhound versus Australian Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Standard Schnauzer Irish Wolfhound versus Skye Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Skye Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus French Bulldog Irish Wolfhound versus Scottish Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese Irish Wolfhound versus Border Collie Irish Wolfhound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Irish Wolfhound versus American Bulldog
Conclusion: Chinook versus Irish Wolfhound. 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 Chinook and the Irish Wolfhound better suits you and your family.